March 30 Update
Nathan Reed of the Tahlequah Regional Development Authority receives his membership plaque from Board Chair Mayor Ernie Penn. Nathan is leading the committee on strategic planning.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
A HAMMRC sub-committee composed of Nathan Reed of TRDA, Brian Hail, and Arielle Barnett of the Cherokee Nation has identified four strategies: Community Readiness, Innovation, Recruitment, and Partnerships. In addition, they have listed two or three goals under each strategy and are seeking feedback on the strategies and goals as well as input on objectives for each goal. Please send your feedback to one of these committee members. We aim to review the draft document at the May 12th Board Meeting.
SPOTLIGHT ON STILWELL
The City of Stilwell, OK, the county seat of Adair County, and Stilwell's mayor, Mayor Jean Ann Wright, has been a valuable member of the HAMMRC Board since HAMMRC's inception. "The Strawberry Capital of the World" is located eight miles west of the Arkansas state line and twenty-three miles east of Tahlequah. The location attracts residential families and has resources with the potential for workforce expansion.
This HAMMRC Member City's potential is important and attractive for manufacturing prospects. Its attractiveness is not only its proximity to NWA communities and the capital of the Cherokee Nation but also because of the quality of the residents. A large percentage of Stilwell residents value hard work, and many enter the workforce after graduating high school. Many Stilwell locals spend a large portion of their lives in Stilwell, leading to most being very loyal to the city and the employers in the community.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Next Board Meeting will be May 12th. The location will be announced soon.
Face to Face with Your Legislators - Friday, March 31st, from 4 - 5 in the NWA FabLab Innovation Center at 21 W. Mountain suite 123
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND VALUE FOR MEMBERS
Energizing Economic Development
Thanks to our HAMMRC Investor AEP/SWEPCO, we have access to valuable economic development training for our community leaders. AEP/SWEPCO’s new online course, “Energizing Economic Development,” can be a valuable tool for small communities like those in our corridor; most rely on city officials or volunteers to lead their ED efforts. This high-quality, free course will fit everyone’s budget. After completing the course, which takes between 3 and 4 hours, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce/HAMMRC staff members Wayne Mays and Hank Hoggard agree that it contains time-tested, proven steps to success. "From the 'do’s and don’ts of marketing' to a 'Business Retention and Expansion Program,' this course is on-target and provides a checklist and roadmap for new or experienced ED leaders,” Mays said.
Click the button below to access and register for the free course.
HAMMRC appreciates this timely contribution to our success. Contact Mays for more information or questions.