October 10 Update
HAMMRC Secures International Award and Recognition
Working hard and smart for over two years has paid off for the HAMMRC organization!
At the Annual Convention of the International Economic Development Council in Denver, HAMMRC received a GOLD AWARD for its’ “Regional/Cross-Border Partnership” that impacted 25,000 – 200,000 residents.
“HAMMRC is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with its’ project established in 2021 between the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and the Tahlequah, OK Regional Development Authority. This award highlights the Chamber’s and TRDA’s commitment to its’ community and demonstrates the transformative impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “It is with great pride that IEDC presents this award to HAMMRC celebrating their leadership and innovation in the field of economic development.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce this year’s award winners. This exceptional project showcases remarkable dedication and ingenuity within the field,” said Kevin Kramer, Chair of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee. HAMMRC’s contributions will leave a lasting impact and demonstrate its commitment to creating positive change for its residents.”
Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact in revitalizing communities and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.
Here are a few quotes from the panel of judges who made the selection of winners:
“Great coordination and recognition that the region matters and that major cities should care about the success of the smaller communities as well.”
“I liked the amount of background research provided and that was undertaken by the organization.”
“A strength of the application was the collaboration between organizations to identify sites, prepare for development, and provide economic development education to community leaders.”
HAMMRC was represented in Denver by Wayne Mays and Mark Goodman of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Brian Hail of Cherokee Nation Health (who is also Chair of the HAMMRC Board of Directors), Nathan Reed, President and CEO of the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce and Tahlequah Regional Development Authority, and Mayor Jean Ann Wright of Stilwell, OK.
TRDA Wins Silver at IEDC
Nathan Reed, TRDA President/CEO, accepts IEDC Silver Award in Denver
TRDA of Tahlequah received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council. The award was bestowed specifically for the organization’s work in the Real Estate Development and Reuse category.
While TRAD was the award recipient, this project would not have been possible without partners within the community. The Cherokee Nation, City of Tahlequah, and Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce were critical partners in the project. What began as the simple returning of a Request for Projects to the State of Oklahoma Department of Commerce for a project turned into a community-changing opportunity that took all parties working together for the benefit of the area. The company involved – Provalus – has and will continue to make a profound impact on Tahlequah and their partnership to locate a facility and renovate that site in conjunction with TRDA and made it possible to win the award.
“This project will create a lasting impact on our community and more specifically on Downtown Tahlequah. The jobs created in Tahlequah by the completion of this renovation will change trajectories for many families by providing good, quality jobs to over 200 people. The locating of Provalus into this site in downtown will only continue to strengthen the heartbeat of our community. The impact throughout our community will grow as Provalus continues to grow and thrive in Tahlequah,” said Nathan Reed, TRDA President/CEO.
Mayor Wright Receives Top Award from OK Municipal League
HAMMRC Board of Directors member Jean Ann Wright, Mayor of the City of Stilwell, was named the “Mayor of the Year” for cities with populations under 5,000 by the Oklahoma Municipal League at their annual convention in Oklahoma City on Sept. 12, 2024.
In addition, the City of Stilwell won the League’s “Innovation Award” for their downtown Fletcher Park.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR - Upcoming Events
HAMMRC Annual Board Meeting
Friday, November 8, 10:00am
Location TBA
Tentative trip to Washington D.C. for meetings with AR and OK delegations and XTREMIS leaders
Late Nov - Early December
The Evolution of Joe College: Trade Schools, Technical Training Filling More Jobs in Arkansas
The Evolution of Joe College: Trade Schools, Technical Training Filling More Jobs in Arkansas, by Kenneth Heard, July 18, 2024, Arkansas Money and Politics.
Contact HAMMRC Director, Wayne Mays, wmays@hammrc.com, 479-238-6999, for Be Pro Be Proud referrals and school visit providers.
Carter McKissick,
HAMMRC Intern
Carter Mckissick, University of Arkansas senior in criminology, accepted an intern position with the Fayetteville Chamber specifically to do research for HAMMRC. Carter took the initiative to learn more about the methods of economic development and completed the study course "Energizing Economic Development" sponsored by AEP/SWEPCO. Carter is smart, energetic, and helpful to all the Chamber staff. The Chamber staff are grateful he is with Us.
Here’s a pat on the back to our HAMMRC Newsletter Readers:
In the marketing and advertising category where HAMMRC is grouped, the average ‘open rate’ for email newsletters is 32.6%. HAMMRC’s average open rate for this newsletter is 50.2% Thank you for reading the HAMMRC Newsletter. When you click on an attached link, you are encouraging our writers to write more of what you like to read. Don’t hesitate to let me know what you think.
~ Wayne Mays, Senior Policy Advisor, HAMMRC and Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce