Michael Malone, President of the Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce announces Robbin Bass has joined the Chamber team as the new director of business retention and expansion.“It is great to have Robbin as a new team member to provide leadership in retaining and growing our many businesses in the greater Texarkana region” said Malone.

Joey Martin, 2020 Chamber Board Chairman remarked, “We are excited beyond words to be introducing our business retention and expansion program that will be led by Robbin Bass. Our existing industries are the backbone of our community, and bring the majority of the job growth.  The Chamber wants to be the ‘go-to-source’ for any issues our industries may face, and Robbin’s expertise will be a huge plus to this great program.”

Robbin Bass - Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce
Robbin Bass - Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce
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Bob Bruggeman, Mayor of Texarkana shared his thoughts. “I would like to congratulate Robbin for being selected for this new position at the Chamber. I worked with Robbin previously when she was a staff member for Rep. Ratcliffe. I feel she will do a great job promoting business retention and expansion in our community, which is very important both now and in the future.”

Bass will be working with the Economic Development Council of the Chamber of Commerce.  Scott Norton, 2021 EDC Chairman & CEO of TexAmericas Center offered his comment. “Through her previous work in the region, Robbin has a proven track record of building relationships while helping people and businesses with challenges that need to be addressed through entities that are beyond their control.  Those skills sets, and her willingness to address any issue, are a great match for the new BR&E position at the Texarkana Chamber.”

According to the Press Release, Bass will begin her new position in January 2021.  Jennifer Harland, incoming Chamber chairman of the board, expressed, “We are very excited for Robbin to join the Chamber team and lead our business, retention and expansion efforts.  This is a critical component of building and sustaining our local economy.  With Robbin in this role, she can focus her attention on the needs of existing businesses by helping them create more jobs, invest in infrastructure, and quickly respond to the needs expressed by local businesses.”

Bass is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University and presently holds a master of arts in communication. Robbin is presently completing her duties as the acting chief of staff for the Fourth Congressional District of Texas of the House of Representatives.  She was district director for former congressman John Ratcliffe for many years, and the human resources coordinator for the Ark-Tex Council of Governments.

The Chamber’s business retention & expansion initiative is designed to strengthen connections between companies and the community to encourage business growth.  The process includes developing strong relationships with businesses to assist in meeting specific challenges.  Through the initiative’s actions of ascertaining ‘business intelligence,’ services, programs and/or products can be provided to address individual and shared business opportunities leading to business sustainability and growth.

Malone further explained, “BR&E is a key ingredient to successful economic development.  We support our many businesses who are part of our community right now.  Business support does not end when a business moves to a community.  We continue seeking solutions to challenges facing our businesses to not only retain their presence but to grow them as well.”

For over 100 years, the Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce has been a focal point for business in the region, including Texas and Arkansas.  For additional information on the Chamber’s activities and membership, contact the Chamber, 819 North State Line Avenue, Texarkana, Texas, 903-792-7191 or www.texarkana.org.

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