On October 13, 2015, the Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED) held a Western Arkansas Economic Development Boot Camp for community leaders in Western Arkansas at the Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center. The Boot Camp, modeled after our premiere community and economic development training program the Community Development Institute (CDI), was created as an initiative to support the Center’s Rural Community and Economic Development Grant awarded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, as a part of their Moving the Needle Strategic Plan 2.0. The Center will offer training events and technical assistance across the state throughout the next three years.
Over 40 community leaders from 17 different communities in western Arkansas attended the Western Arkansas Economic Development Boot Camp. At this free event, attendees learned about community marketing, business recruitment, and site selection strategies from leaders in community and economic development throughout the state. The event was held in partnership with the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District, the Fort Smith River Valley Alliance, and the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority.
To view photos of the event, please visit our Facebook page.
A similar training event will be on November 12, 2015 in Batesville, AR. The Center is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and the White River Planning and Development District to host Saving Your Small Town for North Central Arkansas community leaders. This event will also be free and will discuss economic development techniques, strategies for rural community development, and issues related to entrepreneurship.
Registration is free, but limited to 50 participants.
Register here to attend Saving Your Small Town.
