Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast

In this bi-weekly podcast, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor Rex Nelson sits down with fellow civic-minded Arkansans to discuss ways to foster growth in the Natural State. Along the way, Rex and his guests chat about all things Arkansas — its people, places, food, music, history and more.

  1. 4D AGO

    The future of downtown Little Rock with Gabe Holmstrom

    In this week's episode, Gabe Holmstrom, Executive Director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, joins Rex to provide updates on the implementation of the Downtown Little Rock Master Plan. Rex and Gabe discuss the plan's goal of attracting more residents, businesses, and developments to downtown Little Rock. Gabe highlights the challenges of achieving this, citing high construction and land costs, as well as a lack of state and city incentives for developers. Rex also asks Gabe about the impact of the failed sales tax proposal that would have funded public projects on the master plan. Gabe explains that the city is now focusing on no- or low-cost initiatives and stresses the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. Gabe and Rex agree that downtown Little Rock is undergoing significant changes, with a growing sense of vibrancy and connectivity. The two highlight several key projects, such as the expansion of the Clinton Presidential Center, new office spaces, apartments, and improvements to public areas like the Arkansas River Trail, that are making downtown more walkable and livable.  Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

    32 min

  2. FEB 21

    Renovating Christ Episcopal Church in Downtown Little Rock with Rush Deacon and Mark Grobmyer

    In this week's episode, Rex is joined by Rush Deacon, the Co-chair of the Capital Campaign for Christ Episcopal Church, and Mark Grobmyer, the Chairman of the Global Solutions Institute, to discuss the renovation plans for the historic Christ Episcopal Church in Downtown Little Rock. The trio's conversation begins with a celebration of the various construction projects in Downtown Little Rock, highlighting the city’s growth over the past few decades. Rush and Mark emphasize the 200-year-old church's historical significance, especially its ties to General Douglas MacArthur, who attended the church. Rush shares details of the planned renovations, set to begin in June 2025. The renovations, which seek to modernize and improve accessibility in the church will also include the addition of a green space.  Mark shares how MacArthur's legacy, including his connection to the church and its role during World War II, could encourage foreign investment and tourism in the Downtown area. The group also discusses other key developments in Little Rock, including the future Hillary Clinton wing at the Clinton Presidential Center, which they believe will bring more tourism to the city.  Rex and Mark also touch on the growing optimism for Downtown Little Rock, particularly with the influx of younger residents and improvements like the trolley system. Finally, Mark reflects on the ongoing work of the Global Solutions Institute, which aims to leverage Fulbright Scholar alumni to solve global challenges.

    32 min

  3. FEB 7

    Little Rock's tourism industry and tourist offerings with Gina Gimberling

    On this episode of the podcast, Rex welcomes back to the show, Gina Gimberling, President and CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau (LRCVB), to talk about all things tourism in The Natural State's capital city.  Rex and Gina begin by discussing the importance and necessity of the Tourism Master Plan, which was launched shortly after the conclusion of the covid-19 pandemic, and which has greatly helped the LRCVB rethink its strategy for tourism and tourist offerings in and around Little Rock. Much of the focus of the early part of Rex and Gina's conversation in this episode includes the growth of culinary offerings in downtown Little Rock – which includes international as well as local cuisine – updates to the Statehouse Convention Center and the restoration and reopening of the Robinson Center in 2016. The duo note how rare it is for a city of Little Rock's size to have what the LRCVB describes as "a full-service bureau" for tourism, whereas many cities' tourism outlets serve mainly as a vehicle for marketing. Gina mentions how the LRCVB has been and continues to be involved in plans to revitalize the city's River Market district, which includes not only storefronts and businesses along President Cinton Ave. but a pavilion center and amphitheater as well. While Rex and Gina discuss a number of other exciting tourism-related topics in this episode, they end on the importance of the tourism industry and economic outlook for Arkansas, which includes recent investments in arts-related tourist offerings and the addition of the tourist industry's more than 8,000 jobs in The Natural State.  Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

    32 min

  4. JAN 24

    Industry, healthcare and education booms with Jay Chessir

    In this episode, Rex welcomes Jay Chessir, President and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, back to the show to discuss a slew of new activity being supported by the Chamber in the new year. To begin, Rex and Jay focus on the importance of the 2017-2018 "Love Little Rock" campaign, which helped bring Amazon's 3.6 million-square-foot facility at the Port of Little Rock to Central Arkansas. The inclusion and significance of Amazon in the area helped lure other national and international companies, such as aviation manufacturer Dassault Falcon, to the region, and Rex and Jay converse on the importance of the Chamber's involvements in continuing to bring more businesses and a new workforce to the Little Rock metro.  Jay notes that the Chamber is also asssisting with promoting and growing higher education institutions in the region, including UALR and UAMS, through different internshp and employment opportunities that provide real-world experience and training for soon-to-be and recent graduates. Also mentioned is the future of and changes in Little Rock's K-12 education system, which includes providing those with children additional offerings and support. The conversation continues with a discussion on the importance of healthcare and healthcare organizations in Arkansas, a sector which remains the state's number one industry. Jay believes that attracting new talent to the state's booming healthcare systems is of paramount importance to the qaulity of life for all state residents in the future.  Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

    35 min

  5. JAN 10

    Economic investment and development with Jack Thomas

    On this week’s episode, Jack Thomas, vice president of economic development with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, joins Rex to discuss Central Arkansas’ growing role as a national hub for manufacturing, distribution, and logistics. Jack highlights the impressive economic expansion in the area, with the chamber working on 42 major projects since 2020, and which includes over 11,000 jobs, $470 million in new payroll, and more than $2 billion in total capital investment. He mentions that many of these projects were created by companies drawn to Central Arkansas because of its infrastructure and the strength of its workforce. Despite an overall growth in employment across various sectors in the region, Rex brings up a long-term challenge associated with the region's economy: finding a means of moving more of those who work in Central Arkansas to Central Arkansas. Jack discusses the Chamber’s approaches to addressing this issue, with programs like the Academies of Central Arkansas, which works to connect students with local employers. Looking forward, the two share excitement about the Little Rock Port "megasite," the growing presence of international companies in Central Arkansas and the expansion of the Dassault Falcon Jet at the Clinton National Airport, all of which should assist in generating more economic development and creating more jobs in the region.

    31 min

  6. 12/27/2024

    Workforce and manufacturing expansion with Brian Day

    In this week's episode, Rex welcomes Bryan Day, executive director of the Little Rock Port Authority, back to the show to catch up on new developments in Central Arkansas' economic sector. The two begin their chat by focusing on two related announcements made in October: Faymonville Group, a European-based transportation manufacturing company, recently selected Little Rock as the location for its first U.S. production facility, bringing hundreds of jobs to the area, while line pipe solutions manufacturer Welspun Tubular LLC said it will invest $100 million in its Little Rock facility, adding an addition 175 jobs.   From here, the conversation expands to the rapid growth at the Port of Little Rock and how the state is becoming a manufacturing and distribution powerhouse. Bryan explains the Port's role in these developments, and notes the importance of the presence and growth of companies such as Faymonville and Welspun in Central Arkansas. He also highlights the significance of infrastructure, workforce development, and quality of life in attracting businesses to the region, with a focus on upcoming projects, including the proposed 1,000-acre "supersite" for major manufacturers. Throughout this week's discussion, both Rex and Bryan underscore the state’s potential for continued economic growth as well as how various sectors of manufacturing and distribution can play a major role in the future of The Natural State.

    31 min

  7. 12/13/2024

    End of Year Wrap-Up: Economic growth and challenges across the state with Skip Rutherford

    In this week’s episode, Skip Rutherford, dean emeritus of the Clinton School for Public Service, joins Rex once again for an end of year wrap-up on Arkansas’s evolving economy. Rex and Skip discuss key industries across the state, from the steel boom in the northeast and the lithium business in the southwest portion of the state as well as the $500 million timber processing project in southeast Arkansas. They also touch on the defense industry’s growth in Camden, and the state’s shifting educational sector that includes new university leaders in addition to medical and dental schools. After conversing on the state's economic advantages and gains, Skip highlights the ongoing challenges experienced by many of Arkansas' counties, such as poverty, hunger, and population loss. The two also emphasize the importance of creating unity among Arkansas counties, which could help emphasize the state's various cultural and economic developments. Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.

    33 min

  8. 11/29/2024

    Post-election chat with Skip Rutherford

    On this week’s episode, Rex invites return guest Skip Rutherford, dean emeritus of the Clinton School of Public Service, to discuss Arkansas politics, focusing on recent elections, ballot issues, and the state’s shifting political landscape. The two also briefly talk about the potential impacts that national election results may have on the state in the upcoming months and years.  Skip and Rex discuss significant issues that did and did not make it onto this year’s ballot, with Rex emphasizing public confusion surrounding Issue No. 2, which concerned the proposed casino in Pope County. Skip also shares his opinion on Little Rock’s failed sales tax initiative. They also dive into the state's upcoming legislative session, the LEARNS Act’s impact on rural schools, the state's funding for higher education and more.

    32 min
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In this bi-weekly podcast, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor Rex Nelson sits down with fellow civic-minded Arkansans to discuss ways to foster growth in the Natural State. Along the way, Rex and his guests chat about all things Arkansas — its people, places, food, music, history and more.

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