Clinton Center drives tourism and development

Arkansas made history five years ago when four U.S. Presidents and dignitaries from around the world joined a crowd of more than 25,000 to celebrate the opening of a single building. On that cold, rainy November day, we stood together to celebrate the dedication of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. That week was merely a precursor to the economic and tourist boon this museum and presidential library have brought to Little Rock and to Arkansas.

Since the library opened, almost 1.6-million visitors have come through its doors. While we in Arkansas may sometimes take for granted that such an important cultural and academic resource is at our fingertips, it should come as no surprise to learn that an average of 300,000 visitors a year visit the library from out-of-state and across the globe.

President Clinton's vision of his library as a bridge to the 21st century was no empty metaphor. The River Market neighborhood surrounding it is hardly recognizable from what it was a decade ago. Tall, modern condo buildings now reach to the sky, new restaurants and hotels stand side-by-side with the Statehouse Convention Center, a coveted site for events and conferences. In fact, the sheer presence of the library has inspired an estimated $1.6 billion in spending on new construction and renovation in downtown Little Rock since the library was first announced in 1997.

The Clinton Presidential Center has sparked an awareness of sustainable building practices. It was the first building in Arkansas to earn a noteworthy certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its energy-saving design. Furthermore, the area surrounding the library has become more environmentally and pedestrian-friendly. Heifer International, a global hunger-relief agency, has built its headquarters, restaurant, and interactive museum adjacent to the Clinton Center, expanding the nonprofit presence in the area and bringing more people to a part of Little Rock that was once all but abandoned.

Our children may be the greatest beneficiaries of all. More than 100,000 students have toured the center with their schools. These visits have brought the concept of the American presidency, the workings of government, and a peek into life at the White House to thousands of Arkansas students, inspiring them to think about the value of participating in the democratic process. The Clinton School of Public Service, next-door, brings talented master's students to Little Rock from around the world, and its graduates become ambassadors of our State. With its speaker series, the school has introduced more than 300 internationally noted authors and newsmakers to the State, bringing new insights and ideas to the thousands who have attended the free lectures.

We are one of only 10 states fortunate enough to host a presidential library. The Clinton Presidential Center stands as an enduring attraction and historical landmark in Little Rock, as the city and State redefine themselves to match the business development the library has produced. Arkansas has always been a well-kept secret. I'm content to relinquish that status in favor of sharing the State's treasures with an ever-increasing global audience.