admin's blog

Some people don’t realize that economic development impacts everyone in our region in some way or another. When a company opens business in a community, it creates jobs. That is the obvious. But it also stimulates the city and economy. The business will pay taxes and support local organizations. Their employees will buy homes, spend money at local stores, refuel at our convenience stores and their kids will attend public and/or private schools. What about all the other jobs that a new company impacts?

The Fort Smith Regional Alliance is alive and moving forward. It’s not the same alliance effort that was tried a couple times prior. This is different. How? As they say…timing is everything – and now is the time.

Community leadership, stakeholders and residents are ready, passionate and committed. Arkansas and Oklahoma State and Federal legislation are looking at regional efforts vs. individual initiatives.

It’s hard to really define all the elements of “Quality of Place.” Really it encompasses every aspect of a community and your life. The Qualify of Place team has been lead by an inspiring group of individuals that just jumped in and started working on several aspects that were of interest and importance to them and they continue to press on. There really isn’t a start and end with this committee’s initiatives. It will be forever ongoing. There will always be something we can improve for the people and businesses that reside here.

One of the primary responsibilities of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce is to be an advocate for regional businesses as it relates to legislative affairs. Through the Governmental Affairs division the Chamber has expanded member participation in this important initiative. The division has concentrated on strengthening relationships with local, state and federal delegation by visiting them regularly as well inviting them to regional events. This is just the beginning. More is planned for 2012, so stay tuned.

There isn’t a much hotter topic in the national right now more than Health Care. So let’s add to the talk. Previous to the reorganization of the Chamber in 2009, members had limited resources regarding this important topic. This division came on board and changed this by 180 degrees. From local health care reform breakfasts and forums to presentations on AHEC and Wellness as it relates to our region. You would have to be hiding under a rock to know be more informed on health care and its impact on to those in our hometown.

Ever hear someone say “the chamber doesn’t do anything for me?” For those members active in Chamber, this is a frustrating comment. As with anything, you get out of something what you put into it. And most of the time, when you ask one of these nay-sayers about their involvement, they haven’t attended an event or called the Chamber once during their membership. So it’s not a shocker (to us anyway).