Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's economic development agenda has mostly to do with retaining existing businesses in the state and cultivating small business success. His official legislative agenda for the 83rd General Assembly seeks t expand the number of Arkansas Small Business Development Centers from 11 to 13 statewide. The centers provide training, consulting and research services to small businesses.
      But the state's economic development office, now under the leadership of former Entergy Arkansas executive Jim Perkins, works with companies of all sizes. During the first six months of 2001, the agency worked with companies that announced more than 3,300 new jobs in the state. The average annual wage of these jobs is approximately $2,000 higher than the state average.
      Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is expanding its Camden, Ark., facility by 40,000 sq. ft. (3,700 sq. m.), bringing 200 new jobs to the southern part of the state. The company builds multiple launch rocket systems for the U.S. military, among other products. Frito-Lay, the snack-food giant, is expanding its Jonesboro manufacturing site by 100,000 sq. ft. (9,200 sq. m.), which opened in 1997.
      Maxwell Hardwood Flooring announced plans in early 2001 to expand its Monticello, Ark., facility by adding a third production line, creating 100 new jobs. Eastern Arkansas benefits from Commercial Group South's new, 60,000-sq. ft. (5,600-sq.-m.) modular home manufacturing facility in Marianna. And Warren, Ark., is the site of H&R Poultry Processing's new production facility, employing 300 people.