LITTLE ROCK — Jim Pickens, who led Arkansas economic development office for three years and helped bring major manufacturers to the state, has died.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission spokesman Joe Holmes says Pickens died after a brief illness Tuesday at age 74.
http://www.arkansas…">Jim Pickens Obituary
Pickens ran the agency from 2001 through 2003 under Gov. Mike Huckabee, and helped bring a large Nestle plant to Jonesboro and auto parts factories to West Memphis and Wynne. Pickens also led an ultimately unsuccessful drive to bring a Toyota truck plant to Arkansas.
Pickens helped develop legislation to increase financial incentives for businesses willing to locate in Arkansas.
Pickens was a longtime public affairs executive with Entergy Arkansas.
He died the same day as Maria Haley, who has headed the economic development department under Gov. Mike Beebe.