First Technology Park Meeting

The Little Rock Research and Technology Park Authority had its first meeting on Wednesday, November 9. The seven-member authority is a partnership of the city, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, all of which have representatives sitting on the board.

Their first item of business was to set a Public Briefing and monthly schedule and elected officers.

On Dec. 14, the board will hold a Public Briefing to lay out its purpose and plans. The location for the Public Briefing meetings will be announced later.

WATCH for Updates Announcing Detailed Information about the Public Briefing.

The board chose the second Wednesday of each month for its regular meeting date.

The board elected Dr. Mary Good as its chairman, Eddie Drilling as vice chairman, Jay Chesshir as secretary and Dickson Flake as treasurer. Good is the former dean of UALR's Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology. Drilling is president of the Arkansas division of AT&T. Chesshir is chief executive officer of the chamber of commerce. Flake is co-founder of Colliers International Arkansas.

The two universities, along with the chamber and the city, formed the research park authority last year after prompting the state to pass legislation in 2007 allowing such partnerships. In addition to the sales-tax revenue, the city and two university partners have agreed to each provide $125,000 over three years as seed money.

When built, the research park will provide space for startup companies that will attempt to turn research.