Gov. Asa Hutchinson will serve as states' co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority's Board of Governors.
Fellow governors from the Delta region backed the Bentonville native Saturday afternoon in Washington, D.C. Hutchinson replaces Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.
The White House has called on Congress to eliminate the Delta Regional Authority, but Arkansas Republican leaders have staunchly defended the independent federal agency, which promotes economic development in some of the nation's poorest counties.
In a telephone interview, Hutchinson said the authority is a force for good in the region.
"They've been a great partner with the state of Arkansas through the years. Particularly since I've been governor, they've worked with the states in terms of economic development projects and infrastructure initiatives that are needed locally in the Delta," he said.
Instead of providing handouts, the authority encourages "investment in real jobs, entrepreneurship and industry," Hutchinson said.
Officials are committed to spending federal dollars wisely, he added.
Given its track record, lawmakers should continue to invest in the agency, he added.
Created in 2000 with the support of then-President Bill Clinton, the Delta authority covers parts of seven states along the Mississippi River plus Alabama, and encompasses 252 counties and parishes, many of them with high rates of poverty.
Annual federal funding has topped $25 million in recent years, with much of that earmarked for infrastructure.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Senior Editor Rex Nelson, who served as the authority's alternate federal co-chairman during the George W. Bush administration, said Hutchinson's position "will allow him to work closely with the federal co-chairman, who also hails from Arkansas, to make projects happen."
The agency's day-to-day business is overseen by the Delta Regional Authority's federal co-chairman, Little Rock Republican Chris Caldwell.
"DRA is a federal-state partnership and this makes [Hutchinson] the main state voice on that side of the partnership," Nelson said in a text message.
Hutchinson is the second Arkansan to hold the post. Mike Huckabee also served as states' co-chairman when he was governor.
The organization has its headquarters in Clarksdale, Miss., with additional offices in Little Rock and Washington.
Caldwell, who was sworn in to office in January, welcomed Saturday's announcement.
"I'm proud to have my longtime friend, Gov. Hutchinson, serve in this role. His successful track record of economic growth and tax reform in Arkansas will be a great asset to the Delta Regional Authority," Caldwell said.
Chris Masingill, who served as federal co-chairman from 2010-17, also was pleased with the news.
"That's fantastic for Arkansas. That's good for the Delta Regional Authority," he said.
In his new role, Hutchinson will serve as "the collective voice for the governors" from the region, Masingill added.
Metro on 02/25/2018