Special to arkadelphian.com
ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas — The Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce announced that three community leaders have been selected to join the inaugural cohort of 75Strong, a statewide program designed to empower local leaders to build stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems, support small businesses, and drive economic growth.
Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley; Arkadelphia Alliance & Chamber EVP Jon Merryman; and Henderson State University professor Kelly Poppe-Gale will engage in a two-year entrepreneurial development program and earn the Entrepreneurial Development Professional (EDP) certification from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This nationally recognized credential equips participants with the tools to develop strategic plans tailored to their communities, foster economic growth, and provide direct support to small businesses and startups.
Funded by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), and led by The Conductor and Startup Junkie, 75Strong equips participants with the tools, training, and resources needed to address the unique challenges facing entrepreneurs and small businesses in Arkansas. Conductor, based in Conway, is a public-private partnership dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses in Arkansas through education, programming, and consulting – all at no-cost. The program is funded by AEDC, the state agency responsible for creating economic opportunities and supporting workforce development throughout Arkansas.
“Supporting our small business and entrepreneurial community is essential to the continued growth of our region and local economy,” said Shelley Short, president and CEO of the Arkadelphia Alliance and Chamber. “We are so proud that three Clark County leaders were accepted into this inaugural program and that this training will help us assist business owners and startups for years to come.”
The Conductor, a public-private partnership with the University of Central Arkansas and Startup Junkie, drives innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment in central Arkansas and beyond through high-impact programming and one-on-one consulting at no cost. Conductor also manages the coworking, meeting space, and lease space at the Arnold Innovation Center at 1201 Oak Street Conway, AR, which offers low-cost solutions to the workspace needs of central Arkansas entrepreneurs and small business owners.
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