One of the Chamber's five key focus areas for its mission-work is Advocacy and Government Affairs. We serve as the regional link between business and government to ensure the Voice of Business is represented and heard. We engage the community in the political process from contacting a legislator to registering to vote. By working together, our voices influence positive legislation outcomes for business-driven, public policy. This article examines the upcoming legislative redistricting and insights so you may influence districts being created with your business interests and concerns in mind.

An Opportunity to Shape the NWA Political Landscape
If you had an opportunity to insure how your business was going to perform and grow over the next decade, would you take it? Without a doubt you would jump at that opportunity.  Now, if you had an opportunity to select the people and shape the House and Senate districts that comprise the Arkansas General Assembly for the next decade, would you take it? It does not matter if you are self-employed, work for a large employer, or a small employer in Northwest Arkansas, it is in your best interests to take this opportunity to shape the political landscape of Northwest Arkansas for the next decade.

Every ten years the Arkansas State Board of Apportionment, which is comprised of the Governor, Attorney General, and the Secretary of State, receives the Census data collected for the State of Arkansas and uses it to redraw state legislative districts for the Arkansas State House of Representatives and the State Senate.  As the population increases and the demographics change in Benton and Washington County, so does the importance of who you select to represent your interests and send to the State Capitol.

It is anticipated the official Census figures will not be made available to the State for redistricting purposes until September.  The Legislature will come back into session at that time to draw the four Congressional Districts in Arkansas.  The Board of Apportionment will then begin the process of drawing the new legislative districts. 

Population Growth Means New Seats in the House and Senate
Due to the population growth over the last decade, Benton and Washington counties should pick up new seats in the House and Senate.  These new districts will not have an incumbent from either party and will be wide open for candidates to run. The Northwest Arkansas Regional Business Community has begun an effort to recruit and encourage people in Washington and Benton Counties to consider running for these newly created seats.  

Decisions are made and policy is created in every legislative session that can have a positive or negative impact to your business.  Whether it is taxes, regulations, the adoption of legislation that affects your ability to compete in an increasing global marketplace, develop customers, or attract new workers to your business and to our community. The decisions made in Little Rock during each legislative session are important to the long-term health of your business.

Call to Action
As a member of the business community in Northwest Arkansas we encourage you to contact the Board of Apportionment as Redistricting approaches. Express to the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State that any new legislative districts they create should represent your interests and concerns.  

If you have questions, please email Jon Moran, SVP of Government Affairs, at [email protected].