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AAC F A M I L Y & F R I E N D S


But you know what Arkansas always is? We are always an outdoors state. We are always a hunting and fishing state.


S


weigh-in for the Forrest Wood Cup, a bass-fishing tournament on Lake Ouachita named for Arkansas’s own outdoors legend, Forrest Wood of Flippin. By inventing Ranger Boats, Forrest changed fishing in Arkansas and helped change the economy of this state.


big event. It has been called the Super Bowl of bass fishing. But judging by the enthusiasm I saw at the weigh-in, that may be giving the Super Bowl a little too much credit.


Consider these numbers from this terrific four-day event:


• Total attendance was 63,408, including an overflow crowd in the arena for the final weigh-in. • Visitors came from at least 39 states and three countries. • The final-day show was sold out, with 146 exhibitors filling


the Hot Springs Convention Center. • This was the fourth Forrest Wood Cup held in Hot Springs


— a record for any city — and no doubt it won’t be the last.


All told, the tournament could have a direct economic impact of $6 million on the Hot Springs area. Once the dollars make their way through the economy, it could add up to an impact of between $20 million and $30 million.


Fishing is big business. But if you live in Arkansas, you already knew that. Besides our people, our greatest resources


You could see the result last weekend. Te tournament is a I was reminded of that again on Sunday, Aug. 23, at the


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Big business in the outdoors


ome folks say Arkansas is a football state, or a Razorback state. In Northeast Arkansas, they may say we’re a Red Wolves state. During the winter, we may be a basketball state.


are our natural resources. We are a wonderland for outdoorsmen, for hikers and bikers, for anyone who wants to enjoy God’s awe-inspiring handiwork.


great place to live and work, a great place to start a business — and that it is — but don’t forget that we’re also a great place to play.


Te folks in Hot Springs understand. Teir city remains the No. 1 tourism destination in the state because of its natural attractions and events. So far this calendar year, hospitality tax collections are up 7 percent in the Spa City — and that bodes well for all of Arkansas.


Hon. ASA


HuTCHINSON Governor of Arkansas


We often market Arkansas as a


From The Governor


Forrest Wood Cup have a very positive impact on the economy of our state. Whether it’s a bass fishing tournament in Hot Springs; the Bikes, Blues and Barbecue weekend in Fayetteville; or the blues festival in Helena, Arkansas’s special events attract visitors from all over the world.


And once we get ’em here, once they see everything that Arkansas has to offer, they come back. Again and again.


Asa Hutchinson Te Honorable Asa Hutchinson Governor of Arkansas


ONL INE


www.arcounties.orgFind County Lines online and see our Web site which contains data an on all 75


counties, legislative updates and much more. @75arcounties COUNTY LINES, SUMMER 2015 11


Tourism is the No. 2 industry in Arkansas, and events like the


INTERACT IVE


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