New 75Strong program aims to transform Arkansas counties into economic powerhouses

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission is welcoming its first cohort of entrepreneurial developers to what is called the 75Strong program.

By: Kaelin Clay
KATV

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission is welcoming its first cohort of entrepreneurial developers to what is called the 75Strong program.

The AEDC is leaning on entrepreneurship organizations Startup Junkie and Conductor to fill gaps in the state's economic development, especially in rural areas.

“Oftentimes we're not able to be at the table as much as we would like to be," Patricia Ashanti, Founder of Delta Circles and member of the cohort, says. "So, we're excited because we know that rural communities really can be the game changer for our state when it comes to exposing the individuals in those communities with the skills that they need in order to prosper.”

Startup Junkie, based out of Northwest Arkansas, feels like economic development has been confined to Northwest and Central Arkansas, but the 75Strong program sets out to fulfill what its name suggests: make all 75 Arkansas counties economically strong.

How it has said to do that is by providing resources to community leaders that will turn aspiring entrepreneurs into Arkansas' future major employers, while partnering with the International Economic Development Council.

Read more here.