An official who had success in attracting jobs and investment to Florida has been named the new director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday introduced Mike Preston, formerly the director of Government Relations for Enterprise Florida, to the post at a Thursday morning news conference.
Hutchinson's office said Preston, 32, was part of an effort that created nearly 150,000 jobs and led to more than $10 billion in capital investment during his time at Enterprise Florida, the state's public-private partnership centered on attracting economic development.
Hutchinson in a statement called him a "perfect fit" and said during the news conference that he was modeling his economic development strategy on Florida Gov. Rick Scott's because the state has enjoyed such success.
"So perhaps it is fitting we will take one of his key economic developers and bring him to Arkansas," Hutchinson said.
Preston, who will be paid an annual base salary $167,706 per year, vowed to help Arkansas compete for investment against the rest of the country and world.
"It is a global competition and there's no reason that Arkansas can't be number one in businesses' minds when they're thinking about a place to come, work, do business, live, play, everything else," he said. "It's a great state, is the Natural State. It's the natural choice. Why not make it the natural choice for businesses as well?"
The introduction of Preston came on the same day the Human Rights Campaign asked Hutchinson to veto the Conscience Protection Act, House Bill 1228, if it makes it to his desk. The bill purports to strengthen protections for religious objections, but the Human Rights Campaign says it is discriminatory and will lead to businesses avoiding Arkansas.
Hutchinson said he intends to sign HB1228 if it makes it to his desk in the version he last saw, saying he believes it's a bill that puts a "high priority on religious freedom and recognizes that as part of the balance."
Preston said he wouldn't comment on what it might mean for economic development recruiting because he is not familiar with it in detail.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission Deputy Director Danny Games has been leading the state's Economic Development Commission while officials searched for a new director.
Preston's start date is April 6.
In addition to his base salary, Preston will also be eligible for up to a 30 percent performance-based bonus annually to be given at the governor's discretion, Hutchinson's office said. The state will cover only $139,706 of the base salary with the rest and the potential bonus paid for by the Arkansas Industrial and Economic Development Foundation.