History of Garland County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC)
GCEDC has provided more than 50 years of leadership on economic issues for the City of Hot Springs and Garland County .  

Because of strong public/private partnerships and leadership participation over the past 15 years, GCEDC’s economic development efforts have been extremely effective in driving the local economy in positive directions and have provided tremendous benefit to local businesses and residents.  

The effectiveness of these partnerships and leadership is evident by the actions of the corporation and the results those efforts have yielded toward sustainable economic growth.  

GCEDC has assisted in the growth of manufacturing, tourism and community development.  Here is a snapshot of the overall growth of the past 15 years:
Actions
·  Provided the full-time professional leadership effort to manage economic growth
   opportunities for the City of Hot Springs and Garland County. 
·   Exerted political influence to affect positive change in infrastructure issues, 
   state and federal funding and community development issues.

Results
·  $210 million -- Total planned highway improvement projects within Garland 
   County
·   $53 million -- Completed new highway construction 
+    25.5% -- Garland County ’s population since 1990
+    20% -- New job growth since 2000
+    26.5% -- Garland County ’s labor force since 2000
+    15.7% -- Median household income since 2000
+     8.1% -- Total earnings paid in covered employment from 2003 to 2004

GCEDC’s Community Service Philosophy 
The purpose of this organization is to encourage and promote the overall growth and development of the region.  GCEDC promotes and attracts new job creation to the region as well as enhances and retains existing jobs that support families throughout the Greater Hot Springs region.

GCEDC’s 2006 Community Service
Efforts over the past 12 months will yield results that may well be among the most significant economic projects ever witnessed in the community.  Here is an example of the long-term, positive, economic impact GCEDC has brought to the community:
Direct
New Jobs: More than 1,000
Estimated Payroll: $240 million plus
Indirect
New Jobs: More than 847
Estimated Payroll: $281 million plus
Taxes (10 years)
Garland County : $4.3 million plus
City of Hot Springs : $15.2 million plus
State of Arkansas : $145.2 million plus
Construction Impact: $40.2 million plus