Jim Fram, president and CEO of The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Hot Springs Metro Partnership, has been selected to participate in a White House Business Council Forum on Economic Development.
Fram was selected from a small group of economic development professionals from across the country to participate in the event, which will be hosted by the White House on Aug. 5, a chamber of commerce news release said.
While in Washington, he will also meet with other board members of the International Economic Development Council regarding recently passed workforce funding legislation that is awaiting the president's signature. Fram serves on the IEDC Board of Directors.
The invitation came from the White House Business Council and SelectUSA, the U.S. Government-wide program that promotes and facilitates business investment in the United States. SelectUSA is the federal partner for investment attention, retention, and expansion efforts across the U.S.
"I am truly excited to represent Hot Springs and Arkansas at this forum," Fram said in the release.
"This presents an opportunity to share the day-to-day challenges of economic development in our region to federal officials at the highest level."
Over the course of the forum, the release said Fram will connect with key administration economic policy makers, learn about administration initiatives and have an opportunity to share feedback on how the administration can best partner with economic development organizations to help grow the U.S. economy and create jobs in communities like Hot Springs and in states like Arkansas.
"It's a great advantage for our local business community to be represented at policy-advising forums like this one," said Bryan Smith, chairman of the chamber of commerce board.
Specific topics Fram will participate in include interactive discussion with yet-to-be identified administration officials about effective solutions to meet business workforce needs now and an exploration of President Obama's administration initiatives to promote label-to-market and technology transfers, how cities and regions can take advantage of those programs, and finally an update on administration efforts to support the continued development of the U.S. manufacturing sector.
"Jim is a tremendous advocate for the Garland County metropolitan area and will represent us very well. Since being named president and CEO of the Hot Springs chamber, he has worked tirelessly to advance economic development in the Hot Springs area and will represent us just as well in Washington," Paul Riser, Hot Springs Metro Partnership chairman, said in the release.
Local on 07/30/2014