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Accomplishments:

• Milken Study – Completed in 2004, the Milken Study was the first step in drawing a clear picture of the state’s projected economic future. 
• 2005 legislative session – Early legislative work for Accelerate Arkansas included the following successes:
• Eliminate two-year waiting period for investment tax credit (Act 1232)
• Research appropriation (Act 2092)
• Targeted Business R&D (Act 1232)
• Extend R&D carry forward (Act 1232)
• Increase cap on tech development projects (Act 1232)
• Expand eligibility of bond guaranty (Act 1232)
• Ease tuition reimbursement tax credit (Act 1232)
• Expand technical careers student loan forgiveness (Act 1232)
• 2007 legislative session – Several additional initiatives were passed by Accelerate Arkansas with the support of Gov. Mike Beebe, key legislators, business and economic development leaders.  These initiatives included:
• The Arkansas Research Alliance – focuses on university research-based economic development (Act 563)
• Innovate Arkansas – fast track commercialization (Act 1596)
• Risk Capital Matching Fund – provides critical liquidity for commercialization (Act 1025 and Act 1023)
• Taskforce for the 21st Century Economy (Act 1024 and Act 1267)
• R&D Tax Credits Validation Fund (Act 1025)
• Enhanced Consolidated Incentive Act (Act 1596).
• Establish a STEM Fund as an economic development initiative (Act 564 and Act 1266).
• Strategic plan – Based on the findings from the Milken Study, Accelerate Arkansas began the process for the logical next step – preparing a strategic plan for Arkansas that would be based on original research gathered from key stakeholders throughout the state.