Many of these countries, after years of poverty and unstable government, are beginning to establish stronger economies and will be looking for places to spend their money. We want to make sure they spend part of it right here in Arkansas. Another part of our economic development plan must focus on tourism. Instead of developing our tourist attractions piece by piece, we're trying to tie together Mount Nebo, Mount Magazine, Petit Jean Mountain, the Arkansas River and Lake Dardanelle into an area people from across the country will bring their families. The benefits to Arkansas will be enormous.
Fishermen buy bait, food, gasoline, hats and bug spray.
They spend the night in area hotels and like to cap off their weekend with nice meals. The residents of the Lake Dardanelle area are excited about the prospect of making it home to some of the world's best fishing. I also visited with Penny Berryman, Dardanelle's own fishing champion. Penny travels 200,000 miles a year competing in both men's and women's circuits and talking to students about fishing. Tuesday, I met some very special Arkansans.