Meetings for small businesses in Marion, Baxter and Van Buren counties October 9-10

CLINTON, FLIPPPIN, MOUNTAIN HOME)
LITTLE ROCK – Business owners in tourism, agritourism, ecotourism, arts, crafts and hospitality business are invited to bring their ideas to a series of meetings in Marion, Baxter and Van Buren counties that will focus on issues and policies that may help or hinder the success of small businesses in north-central Arkansas.
The meetings, similar to ones scheduled for Izard, Sharp, Fulton and Stone counties Oct. 6-7, will be held in each of the eight counties in the North Central Arkansas Economic Development (NCARED) region.  Participants must register before the meetings.
“It’s important that businesses have their voices heard as the area works to build its economy,” said Dr. Mark Peterson, professor-community development with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “We want to know what marketing and branding initiatives they believe are needed for the region, as well as letting us know of anything that might put a damper on economic growth.
The meetings and summary report are being funded through a grant from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Public Policy Center, with additional funding from the Breakthrough Solutions Program, U of A Division of Agriculture. Local sponsors include:  First Service Bank of Clinton and Arvest Bank of Flippin.  This initiative furthers the economic development work of NCARED, and is a step toward implementing NCARED’s 21st Century Vision Regional Blueprint.
Meetings in Marion, Baxter and Van Buren counties are scheduled for Oct. 9-10.  Interested business owners are invited to register with their county Extension Office.  Registration is limited, and all participants will receive a special memento in appreciation for their time.
•    North Arkansas Telephone Company (NATCO), 301 E. Main Street, Flippin – will host businesses from Marion County on Oct. 9 from 8 – 10 a.m.  Breakfast will be served.  To register, contact the Marion County Extension Office at 870-449-6349.
•    Baxter County businesses will meet Oct. 9 at Liberty Bank, 2448 Highway 62, Mountain Home, from 11:45 – 1:45.  Lunch will be served at this meeting.  To register, contact the Baxter County Extension Office at 870-425-2335.
•    Petit Jean Electric Cooperative, 270 Quality Drive, Clinton, will host business leaders on Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  To register, contact the Van Buren County Extension Office at 501-745-7117.
The meetings will be conducted Peterson Development and Maureen Rose, Program Associate, Economic and Community Development, U of A Division of Agriculture. For additional information contact Maureen Rose at 870-671-2066 or mrose@uaex.edu.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
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