Industry, healthcare and education booms with Jay Chessir

In this episode, Rex welcomes Jay Chessir, President and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, back to the show to discuss a slew of new activity being supported by the Chamber in the new year. To begin, Rex and Jay focus on the importance of the 2017-2018 "Love Little Rock" campaign, which helped bring Amazon's 3.6 million-square-foot facility at the Port of Little Rock to Central Arkansas. The inclusion and significance of Amazon in the area helped lure other national and international companies, such as aviation manufacturer Dassault Falcon, to the region, and Rex and Jay converse on the importance of the Chamber's involvements in continuing to bring more businesses and a new workforce to the Little Rock metro.  Jay notes that the Chamber is also asssisting with promoting and growing higher education institutions in the region, including UALR and UAMS, through different internshp and employment opportunities that provide real-world experience and training for soon-to-be and recent graduates. Also mentioned is the future of and changes in Little Rock's K-12 education system, which includes providing those with children additional offerings and support. The conversation continues with a discussion on the importance of healthcare and healthcare organizations in Arkansas, a sector which remains the state's number one industry. Jay believes that attracting new talent to the state's booming healthcare systems is of paramount importance to the qaulity of life for all state residents in the future.  Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.