Just eight months after being named president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County, Paul Harvel announced last month that he had accepted an offer to lead the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce.
Needless to say, news that the man whose leadership of the Greater Little Rock Chamber had led to his being named as the nation’s No. 1 Chamber director came as a shocker to many of us. What was behind his sudden departure? That’s the question I asked Paul two days after the announcement.
Harvel: When I came here, I certainly did not plan to leave this quickly. I had no idea that the Fort Smith job would open up. But being a Chamber professional for virtually all of my business life, I have missed it.
Downs: And that is basically why you are leaving?
Harvel: Yes. First of all, I have always loved Fort Smith. It’s a very independent town that stands on its own, does not depend on any one industry. It’s very diversified. It’s a conservative business community that is totally dependent on its own direction.
Downs: Considering how Clark County has reacted to you as its economic leader, have these lasts eight months been a good thing or a bad thing?
Harvel: I think it’s been a good thing for this reason: This was new experience for Clark County and it was new one for me, too. The No. 1 thing that everyone needs to realize is that economic development requires patience, particularly during the current economic turndown. But I am convinced that it will happen. Clark County passed the half-cent tax at the right time because we are in a recession. This can be an asset because sooner or later when a major expansion or a relocation in Clark County is announced, the incentive funds will already be available.
Downs: While I was getting a haircut recently, my barber said a lot of his customers were saying that since we are not getting any new industries, they were going to vote against renewing the sales tax when it next comes up for a vote.
Harvel: That would be a serious mistake. Even in times when things are going great, economic development takes time. I was in Little Rock for two and a half years before I got my first major project.
Downs: Do you think there may have been unrealistic expectations when you came aboard as the economic director of Clark County last year?
Harvel: The people who hired me knew that economic development was not going to take place overnight. But when Clark County passed the tax as it did, expectations were understandably very high and that’s okay. Something good is going to happen in this county, but again, it will require patience.
Downs: There are those who believe that Clark County is seriously divided racially, politically and philosophically. Is this being too critical?
Harvel: I do not believe there are divisions that will hold us back as long as Clark County and its leadership stay in the direction they’re going, with the theme we are using—“Live Like You’re On Vacation” and “Graduate to Better Living in Clark County”— and exercise patience. The longer I have been here, the more I see people realizing industrial and business development is going to take longer than expected.
Downs: What message do you have for the people of Clark County?
Harvel: Appreciate what you have here. When you live for a while in any area, it’s kinda like wallpaper on the house—you get used to it. But when new people come into Clark County for the first time and and see it with new eyes, they are absolutely carried away with what you have here. Every place has weaknesses but forget the weaknesses. Focus on the strengths that you have: Livability, the two universities, the Interstate. We spend too much time talking about negative things rather than positive things.
Downs: What do you see as being the role of the Arkadelphia-area Chamber of Commerce?
Harvel: I think it has a different role since you do have your economic development entity. Working with existing industries is one. Another is doing things that help you market and promote your area. Make sure you have the right publications to put in people’s hands and that everyone understands the importance of marketing your universities. Do things that help parents when they come in with their kids. Know the area. Revive the Festival of Two Rivers. Stay with the name because it has a good ring to it. The Festival is a great marketing tool and it gives people things to do.
Downs: Anything else?
Harvel: Clark County is going to do well. You have a lot of groups working together. Continue to do this and find even better ways to work together. When I can, I want to be involved in your successes.
Next week: Questions? Answers? Solutions? Contact downsw@sbcglobal.net
