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Welcome to our Chamber Connection Newsletter!
In an effort to connect our Chamber Members to valuable news, information, and resources each month we will feature a spotlight topic to better connect our community.
This month's topic focuses on the importance of our Shop Local options including shopping, dining, services, and more. Next month's topic will feature a focus on Education in our region.
March | 2022 | Shop Local
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This Month's Newsletter is Sponsored by River Valley Democrat Gazette
More From our Newsletter Sponsor
While the River Valley Democrat-Gazette name is new, our news team telling stories within the River Valley is not. We have been reporting stories in River Valley communities from Fort Smith to Clarksville for years.  

Leland Barclay and our sports team cover River Valley prep sports from pre-season to playoffs with game stories, previews, features, and a video podcast.

Our features department writes about things to do in What’s Up, River Valley, which can be found both in the print and digital replica of the Sunday River Valley Democrat-Gazette. It is also available in many businesses on Garrison and Rogers Avenue. You will find several of our publications such as Ozark Living, our lifestyle magazine powered by real estate agencies and agents; La Prensa Libre devoted to the growing Hispanic community; and Official Kids Mag, which tells the stories of local kid heroes and provides a resource for teachers and parents alike.

We are also expanding our news, sports, and advertising/marketing services in the region. Our office is located on Court Street in Ft. Smith nestled between the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce and the main downtown branch of First National Bank of Fort Smith. Our objective is to create economic lift and overall promotion of the River Valley while engaging the community in celebrating the places, restaurants, and local businesses that make the River Valley unique. Please support our efforts to provide journalism in, by, and for your community. Sign up for a free newsletter for Breaking News, Morning Updates, Prep Sports, River Valley news, and much more at nwaonline.com/email.

Feel free to email (deliveryservice@nwaonline.com) or call us (479-684-5509) and we will assist you with a new subscription to receive an iPad with our seven-day River Valley Democrat-Gazette replica app and Sunday home-delivered, print newspaper. Our team will continue to do our best to report the news and to promote the River Valley. We appreciate your support!
Shop Local Special Business Resource Sessions Planned
Small Business Technology Resources: Business in a Box

Event Sponsors
Hosted By
Cox Business

The Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce welcomes business technology experts from Cox Business to discuss solutions to solve specific problems for small and medium-sized businesses. The engineers will break down the "tech speak" barriers and equip business leaders with knowledge and insight on how to develop their own "Business in a Box" of technology resources.

The panel discussion will include time for networking directly with the representatives. 

The event is free to Fort Smith Chamber members!
Date and Time:
Monday, Apr 11, 2022
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM CDT

Location:
Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
612 Garrison Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72901

Fees/Admission
FREE to Chamber Members
Small Business Resource Partners Panel

Event Sponsors
Hosted By
Preferred Office Technologies
 
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

The SBA Resource Partner network is an invaluable resource to small businesses. Free or low-cost and confidential one-on-one assistance is available through these partners, no matter where you are in your business lifecycle! Arkansas Resource Partners include the Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center, SCORE, Arkansas Women's Business Center, Conductor, Startup Junkie Consulting, Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), and the Veteran's Business Outreach Center. 

Join the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce in welcoming the SBA Arkansas District Office and its resource partners including the UAFS, Small Business & Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), and others as they introduce their representatives and discuss the free resources they provide to area businesses.

The panel discussion will include time for networking directly with the representatives. 

The event is free to Fort Smith Chamber members!
Date and Time:
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2022
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT

Location:
Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
612 Garrison Avenue 
Fort Smith, AR 72901

Fees/Admission:
FREE to Chamber Members
Shop Local Campaign Featured Ribbon Cuttings for Small Businesses
Ribbon Cutting: ShoBo's Kitchen

Come join us to welcome our new Fort Smith Chamber member ShoBo's Kitchen with a ribbon-cutting and then make sure you check out their lunch menu options for after the event. 

Date and Time:
Wednesday, Apr 6, 2022
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM CDT

Location:
ShoBo's Kitchen, LLC
70th South 7th St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Ribbon Cutting & Open House: T-Mobile for Business

Please join us to welcome our new Fort Smith Chamber member T-Mobile for Business and check out their T-Mobile Showroom. The ribbon cutting will be held at 11 am and the open house will continue until 3 pm. They will have their Showroom Truck on-site with planned exclusive offers, giveaways, and more!

Date and Time:
Thursday, Apr 7, 2022
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM CDT

Location:
T-Mobile Fort Smith
8604 Rogers Ave Unit B
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Ribbon Cutting & Open House: Parker Chiropractic & Wellness

Please join us to welcome Dr. Paige Parker to the Parker Chiropractic & Wellness practice and the Fort Smith Community. We are happy to celebrate the addition of Dr. Paige Parker and hope you will join us for a ceremony, refreshments, and tour of their practice in Chaffee Crossing.

Date and Time:
Friday, Apr 8, 2022
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Location:
Parker Chiropractic & Wellness
7209 Chad Colley Blvd, Suite A
Barling, AR 72923
Reasons Why Shopping Local is Important
Shop Local Showcases
Shop Local Showcases Available & Free to Chamber Members to Schedule!
Please sign up to have a Shop Local Showcase for your business during our Shop Local Tax Season Campaign. The Shop Local Showcase will include a Facebook Live interview with a business representative led by our Membership Engagement Administrator, Dawn Turner. Dawn will also take pictures of your location/products to create a secondary social media post in addition to Facebook Live. This is a free service for current Fort Smith Chamber members. Please call Dawn Turner at 479-783-3111 with any questions. To Sign up click the link below and select your preferred Shop Local Showcase day, time..
Shop Local Quick Fact
Find a List of our members of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce on our online Member Directory by clicking here.
Don't Miss our 2022 Business EXPO & Career Fair on May 6, 2022
Registration for our Annual Business Expo & Career Fair is open! The deadline for vendor booth registration is approaching and space is filling up!
Welcome New Members for March
A String Fort Smith
Above & Beyond Care, Inc.
American Welding Laboratories
Banyan Treatment Centers
First Security Bank (Rogers Avenue)
Harmony Core Infrared Spa
Home Helpers Home Care
Joanna Ayala, Realtor with Linsey E. & Company
Lamar Advertising
Phil Votaw & Associates
Red Dog Cleaning LLC.
Renee Tedford, Realtor with Sagely & Edwards Realtors
ShoBo's Kitchen, LLC
Tite Lines Medical Spa
Upcoming Chamber Connection Newsletters
Future Chamber Connection sponsorships available. Contact Dawn Turner at dturner@fortsmithchamber.com to learn more. Reach thousands of subscribers and more through our social media distribution!
April 28, 2022 - Education
May 26, 2022 - Workforce & Economic Development
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