Economic Development

The Transportation Committee serves as a catalyst for communication and action to improve all aspects of the Fort Smith Region’s transportation system.

The Regional Economic Development Committee will work to formalize an alliance with the communities in a 50-mile radius of Fort Smith. Working as a region will enable us to compete more effectively in a global marketplace and improve investment attraction, resulting in greater prosperity.

The Leads Team helps recruit and empower volunteers to utilize their network to develop economic development leads and communicate those to the Chamber. The Chamber will then contact these leads in hopes to bring their business to the Region.

The goal of the Business Retention and Expansion Committee is to utilize volunteers to build relationships with existing companies in the Fort Smith Region in an effort to help local businesses grow. This program will also allow existing businesses to discuss opportunities, issues, and challenges and how the Chamber can help.

Chairman: Leo Anhalt

The role of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce in economic development is to recruit outside investment and work with existing businesses who are considering expansions. Our partners in economic development include the City of Fort Smith, Chaffee Crossing, and the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. The Economic Development Division will work to help these expansions come to fruition.