August 3 Update
SPOTLIGHT WASHINGTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HAMMRC is proud to have the support and sponsorship of the Washington County Government. Washington County joined HAMMRC as a partner sponsor in October of '22. Judge Joseph Wood was the county judge at the time of joining. Since then, Judge Wood has taken a role in the State's government. Judge Patrick Deakins was elected to follow Judge Wood and was sworn in at the beginning of '23. After being informed of the HAMMRC program, Judge Deakins decided that the Washington County Government would continue their support while under his leadership.
Washington County itself was established on October 17th, 1828. The county was formed from Lovely County, which was part of the Indian Territory. Since then, Washington County has grown from small settlements of farms, mills, and orchards into one of the most affluent and prosperous counties in Arkansas. This growth is not limited to Fayetteville but has aided in the expansion of towns around Fayetteville and NWA in general.
With three HAMMRC members located in Washington County, the assistance of the county's government has and will play an important role in the success of HAMMRC. We are immensely thankful for the partnership we have gained with Washington County Government.
HAMMRC STRATEGIC PLAN FINALIZED
The HAMMRC Board of Directors adopted a Strategic Plan in their July 14 meeting in Tahlequah. After over a year of study and a deep dive into the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of the organization, a sub-committee to create the Plan was appointed by Board Chair Mayor Ernie Penn. Sub-committee members appointed were Nathan Reed of the TRDA, and Brian Hail and Arielle Barnett of the Cherokee Nation. Several drafts were circulated to the membership and input, revisions and additions were accepted from stakeholders. The final draft focused on four strategies: Community Readiness; Innovation; Recruitment; and Partnerships.
Mayor Penn and Nathan Reed conducted a line-by- line review in the Board meeting on July 14, and the final draft was adopted by unanimous vote. Reed explained that the Plan is not a long-range document, since the organization is still growing and refining techniques for recruiting potential manufacturing prospects, but is designed to be implemented within a couple of years. Frequent reviews will be conducted and reports given to the Board.
To see the final version adopted by the Board, download the Word document by clicking the button below.
RETAIL ANALYSIS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mark Goodman, Economic Development Director for the Fayetteville Chamber, demonstrates the value of data analysis to the audience at the July 14th board meeting.
Over the next few months, we will write a series of columns addressing retail analysis and development as one vitally important community economic development initiative, both as a “jobs” attractor/retainer and as a “family attractor/retainer” or quality of life component. Critical to successful retail development are the community analyses necessary to understand our local markets and develop our respective retail marketing plans. These plans should be a part of a broader overall economic development strategy based upon a strategic planning process.
One of the initial analyses a community should conduct to pursue an effective retail development program is a “trade area” study. Where are our shoppers coming from? Where should they be coming from? The customers come from somewhere and a trade area analysis identifies just that.
Measuring trade areas
A community’s trade area can be measured through statistical models and surveys. Nothing is more accurate than a properly conducted survey. However, several models calculate a trade area’s geographic boundaries with respectable consistency to surveys.
To read the rest of Mark's article, click the button below.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Next board meeting will be September 8th, 10 am, at the Farmington City Hall.
Address: 354 W Main St., Farmington, AR 72730
EXPANDING THE “PIPELINE” FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS
The University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development selected 25 Arkansans from Northwest Arkansas to participate in their Community Development Pipeline Cohort. The Pipeline Cohort was funded by the Walton Family Foundation, allowing the selected individuals to attend the program for free. The program provides training for these individuals to better their understanding and ability in Economic Development.
Some of the 25 selected came from the HAMMRC region. HAMMRC congratulates these community leaders on their selection and hopes the knowledge gained from the program will aid in the growth of the entire HAMMRC region.
Below are the people selected from the HAMMRC region:
Mayor David Faulk, City of Prairie Grove
Jamie Smith, President of the Elkins Community Network
Judge Patrick Deakins, Washington County
Taryn Golden, President of the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce
Mayor Troy Reed, City of Elkins
NEWSLETTER STATISTICS
The HAMMRC newsletter has seen growth and success since its establishment. We started it in March of 2022, sending it to 69 people, with a lower open rate than today. However, recent editions go out to over 100 people and have seen over 50% open rate on average, with two being over 60%. HAMMRC Leadership thanks all of our readers for improving the success of this small publication.
We want to invite any of our recipients to provide input, suggestions, and criticisms. We want your input by sending us stories in your region that will be beneficial knowledge for other newsletter readers who may not see the news otherwise. We want your suggestions on better reaching and informing you. And we would appreciate your criticisms to understand how we can help better communicate with essential members of our project.
We send out one newsletter a month, typically on Thursday afternoons. If you have a better time or day to send them or have a different suggestion, email Hank Hoggard by clicking the button below.