The Top 10 Initiatives were chosen by the Board of Directors from a list of initiatives and deemed the most critical for the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. Each initiative is driven by a division, who is working hard to make great strides in these initiatives.
1. Create a Business Retention and Expansion Program
Economic Development Division
The main focus of the Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Program is to connect businesses in the region with the resources necessary for sustainability and growth.
2. Facilitate an Economic Development Funds Campaign
Economic Development Division
Introduced in the Spring of 2010, the Chamber’s economic development campaign, “Invest in the Best,” has one primary goal – to fund an aggressive economic development that will maximize marketing and recruitment efforts of the Chamber.
3. Grow thee Financial Resources of the Chamber
Membership Marketing and Services Division
In May 2010, the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce held its first annual Total Resource Campaign (TRC), Fistful of Dollars, an annual fundraiser that supports programs developed by the Chamber members and committees. During a three week period volunteers solicit new members and reach out to chamber members regarding available products and sponsorships. In the inagural campaign, 100 campaign volunteers worked together to raise $261,350 in product sales and $79,500 in in-kind advertising, for a total of $340,850, which exceeded the first-year goal of $300,000. The Total Resource Campaign has become an annual event.
4. Develop and Implement a Federal Governmental Affairs Program
Governmental Affairs Division
Each year a group of Chamber members travel to Washington D.C. and hold individual meetings with the congressional delegation and their staff to discuss various issues including regionalism, funding for I-49, the Marshal’s Museum, and the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.
5. Increase Awareness and Support of Health Care Resources and AHEC in the Greater Fort Smith Region
Healthcare Division
The Healthcare Division has been working to increase the awareness and support of the local Area Health Education Center (AHEC). AHEC is a local health clinicand family practice residency program, opened in Fort Smith in 1974 with a mission to improve the supply and distribution of healthcare/primary care professionals in Arkansas. Since 1974, AHEC Fort Smith has trained 172 family practice physicians with 110 practicing in Arkansas and 72 practicing in Western Arkansas.
6. Begin and “Education is Cool” Initiative for Students
Education and Quality of Place Division
In 2010 the “Education is Cool” Committee rewarded all students in grades K-6 that made all A’s at Cavanaugh Elementary School. During the first annual Shining Star Assembly, one student from each grade was also rewarded through the “Education is Cool” program for exceptional effort. Area professionals attended the assembly to serve as ambassadors and create excitement to inspire students. Thanks to our great education volunteers, this program still continues today.
7. Begin a “Green and Clean” Beautification and Conservation Initiative
Education and Quality of Place Division
The Green and Clean Committee works to bring a greater awareness of the environmental, financial and human resource benefits of going green to the community and local business. This is an education and awareness oriented initiative that has both short and long term community development benefits.
8. Establish a Regional Economic Development Alliance
Economic Development Division
In 2010 a Regional Economic Development Alliance was formed with Lea Taylor, of What If Creative appointed as the Executive Director. The alliance includes cities and Chambers represented from a 50-mile Arkansas Oklahoma bi-state radius including LeFlore and Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma and Crawford, Franklin, Logan and Sebastian counties in Arkansas. The goal of the alliance is to give each community a shared voice and equal representation of votes regardless of population. The Alliance has joined with Boyette Strategic Advisors to visit each community to learn about their assets to create a road map combining every asset and using it to strengthen the region as a whole.
9. Grow Economic Development Consultant and Arkansas Economic Development Commission Relations
Economic Development Division
The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce has participated in several events to gain exposure and grow relationships with Site Selection Consultants including the Southern Economic Development Council’s (SEDC) “Meet the Consultants” event in Chicago and the AWEA WINDPOWER Conference in Dallas, TX. The events give Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce Representatives the opportunity to meet and network with site consultant speakers. The speakers are made aware of the Greater Fort Smith Region and all of the assets that make it a great location for their prospects. Post-event follow-up has allowed the opportunity for Fort Smith to develop and foster relationships with site consultants who are actively seeking sites for global clients.
10. Begin Data Work for State Commission Appointments
Governmental Affairs Division
As part of the Governor’s job, he continuously makes appointments to visit state boards and commissions across the state. A part of the Governmental Affairs Division’s goal is to proactively work to get those positions filled and therefore creating visibility for the Fort Smith Region. A great start to this effort was the announcement of two Sebastian County residents that were appointed to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) in 2010. The two residents were Chester Koprovic, board chairman of Boyd Metals, B&C of Fort Smith and Kopco Inc. and Lee Webb, Jr., chairman of the Sebastian County Democratic Party, member of the Sebastian County Quorum Court (JP 4) and co-owner of Economy Trailer in south Fort Smith. The AEDC is a crucial aspect to recruiting and retaining jobs to Arkansas, with incentives such as infrastructure development monies. The Governmental Affairs Division has worked hard to build a database of state boards and commissions and their appointees. This information is used to learn about upcoming openings so the region can take a proactive approach in making appointments for the Fort Smith Region.
