Cedar Park, Texas has roped in a big fish in the economic development sea, with Arthur Jackson kicking off his first day as the city's Chief Economic Development Officer this past Monday, according to a press release from the city's official website. The Prairie View A&M alum, with over 13 years of growing economic regions under his belt, has a schedule crammed with business prospect meet-ups and strategic planning sessions set to steer the city's economic future.
Previously the Senior VP for Economic Development at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, Jackson isn’t a stranger to the big league, having been instrumental in attracting major firms like Tesla and Merck and snagging a 2023 Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council, and amid all this, the City Manager Brenda Eivens has high hopes for Jackson, saying in a statement released by Cedar Park city's officials that his knack for "working with entrepreneurs, determining and leading strategic initiatives and supporting small business and workforce development" were key factors in his hire — no small feat considering the economic landscapes he’s transformed.
During his Tulsa tenure, Jackson played a pivotal role in various regional economic triumphs and was also a prominent figure in local tourism, contributing significantly to the acquisition of a convention center hotel boasting over 600 rooms. According to Cedar Park's press release, his résumé also includes an Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award to top off an already impressive career.
Jackson’s all about teamwork and alliances, and he's ready to bring his A-game to Cedar Park, mentioning that he’s "excited to work with and grow my new team" and intent on leveraging contacts in central Texas to pull off the city's bold economic and tourism strategies, and with a vision this clear, the city's betting big on Jackson to turn those strategies into realities, adding another chapter of success to his career and potentially a new era of growth for Cedar Park.
