6 Arkansas Communities Selected to Participate in Retail Academy Program
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) has chosen six Arkansas towns, Crossett, Hope, Marion, Morrilton, Newport, and Stuttgart to take part in the 2024 Retail Academy program.
Anna Lee Powell, president of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation is excited about this opportunity. The grant will give local leaders the tools to help the local businesses grow this in turn will bring new opportunities to Hempstead County. Powell said,
It’s a big step toward boosting the economy in Southwest Arkansas.
The Retail Academy program helps rural communities with online education, market research, and technical support that will help them attract new retail businesses and restaurants to the area.
Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission said in a press release,
Attracting retail opportunities is a key element for keeping our local communities growing and vibrant. The Retail Academy program will provide the resources and knowledge that local economic developers need to recruit retail companies to their communities.
Retail Academy specializes in retail recruitment and revitalizing downtown areas. The program, which will be managed by the AEDC’s Community Development Division, offers customized training, demographic overviews, a retail marketing guide, and access to online courses.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission is about helping rural Arkansas communities grow and Retail Academy can give them the guidance to make that growth happen.
The 2024 Retail Academy program runs from Tuesday, October 1 through September of 2025.
KEEP LOOKING: See what 50 company logos looked like then and now
LOOK: States With the Most New Small Businesses Per Capita
Gallery Credit: Eliza Siegel
More From Kicker 102.5
