March, 2016
Arkansas State Chamber/AIA and Partner Launch Workforce Initiative

In order to address the growing skills gap in Arkansas, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA along with partners from the business, transportation, and construction communities launched the Be Pro Be Proud initiative in early March.  This program features a mobile workshop that will visit schools across the state in an effort to educate students, teachers, and counselors about the growing need for professionals with technical skills and training.  

After the launch in Little Rock, subsequent launch events were held in El Dorado, Jonesboro, and Fort Smith with a fifth event planned for Northwest Arkansas in early April.  Want to keep up with the initiative?  Follow on Twitter at @BeProBeProudAR or on the dedicated website by CLICKING HERE.

Coming Soon.... New AED Website! 

Be on the lookout for the new AED website that will launch sometime very, very soon.  You will find out about it first via social media by following AED on Facebook.  Just click the Facebook icon below to be directed to the AED page.  Be sure to "Like" the page so you don't miss important news and updates! 
Like us on Facebook
Vendor Spotlight - Your Chamber Connection

Buck Layne with the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce would like to share the following vendor information with his fellow ACCE members looking for a way to revitalize their chamber membership drive?  To read about Buck's experience with Your Chamber Connection and to learn more CLICK HERE.
 
New Entergy Business Development Website 

One of Arkansas's largest utilities has launched a new website, www.GoEntergy.com featuring available sites, incentive information, data, and other materials to drive investors to the four-state region served by Entergy.  Check it out when you get a minute. 
Save The Date - AED Annual Conference
The AED Annual Conference has been set for August 28-30 in Little Rock at the Little Rock Marriott.  More details are coming soon but please go ahead and mark your calendar for this event.  We are working on an awesome program and you won't want to miss it! 
Arkansas Tax Traps & Found Money for Businesses and Manufacturers

The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA will host a series of Tax Workshops this summer beginning in the northern part of the the state.  Events are set for Jonesboro**, Fort Smith, and Northwest Arkansas.  These workshops will provide accounting professionals with valuable information on navigating the Arkansas State Tax sytem and Business Incentives program. If you have members that would benefit from this course, please direct them to THIS LINK.

**please note that the Jonesboro seminar will be June 21st.  The link will be updated later this week to reflect this course offering.
Click on the links below for more information:


April 3 - 5
Washington, DC

April 24 - 26 
Branson, MO

May 1 - 5
San Antonio, TX

May 24
Washington, DC

June 12 - 14
Tulsa, OK

September 25 - 28
Cleveland, OH

October 24 - 26
Little Rock, AR 



Membership News & Job Openings

Congratulations to these AED/ACCE members on their new job opportunity or recent certification/course completion.

Tabatha Duvall
Communication Director
Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce 
CCCE Graduate


JOB OPENING

The Clarksville-Johnson County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Organization is seeking a new CEO/Chief Economic Development Officer.  To learn more and apply, please  CLICK HERE.


If you have new hires, promotions, or job openings to announce, please send those to  [email protected].
Reminder!  Send us your events!

Don't forget to send in your chamber and economic development events for inclusion on the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce events page. 
 

Jobs for Arkansans

The Arkansas General Assembly referred Senate Joint Resolution 16 (SJR 16) to voters during the 2015 Regular Session. The proposed constitutional amendment will be on the General Election Ballot in November, giving Arkansas voters the chance to improve economic development opportunities and create Jobs for Arkansans in communities across the state.  

This amendment does three basic things:

1)  Enhances the State's Ability to Compete for Large Projects

2)  Provides Clear, Consistent Constitutional Definitions, Empowering Cities and Municipalities to Participate in Economic Development

3) Gives Cities and Counties Clear Authority to Spend Local Dollars for Economic Development Projects

Your support and action is needed to make sure this amendment passes in November.  

How can you help?

* Contribute to the campaign (contact me or Joe Bailey to learn how)

*  Pass a resolution in support of the amendment (click here for a sample).

*  Talk about this amendment with your members, friends, and community leaders (click here for some general talking points)

*  Be on the lookout for campaign updates and act when needed.

This campaign will need all of our help and support.  Thank you for what you are doing and for the work that's ahead!