2018 Arkansas Rural Development Conference

March 23, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Brandi Hinkle, Director of Communications

Arkansas Economic Development Commission

501-519-7382 mobile or bhinkle@arkansasedc.com

Registration open for May 22-24

Arkansas Rural Development Conference in Little Rock

Registration is open for the 2018 Arkansas Rural Development Conference, hosted by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Division of Rural Services. This year’s conference will be held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock May 22-24 and is geared toward anyone interested in improving quality of life across the state. You can view the agenda here.

“Last year more than 600 participants came together to learn and share about what’s working in communities across the state,” said Mike Preston, executive director of Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). “We also encourage all Arkansans with a genuine interest in improving their community to attend.”

The conference provides participants an opportunity to gain a working knowledge of the many programs and services available through AEDC to assist communities and their leaders with development, planning and revitalization efforts. Breakout session topics include “EcoTourism,” “Opioid Battle in Arkansas,” and “Ready, Set, Action: Film Industry in Arkansas.”

Anne Hazlett, USDA Rural Development Assistant to the Secretary, will address attendees with a message focused on how federal, state and local officials can work together to improve communities. The final day of the conference will include the Governor’s Luncheon and Awards ceremony, during which Governor Asa Hutchinson will award more than $700,000 in grants.

For more information or to register online, visit http://ruralservices.arkansas.gov.

For more information on AEDC, visit www.ArkansasEDC.com, follow @ArkansasEDC on Twitter or at Facebook.com/ArkansasEDC, and connect with Arkansas Economic Development Commission through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkansas-economic-development-commission/.

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About Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC):

Created in 1955 to make Arkansas more competitive in the post-World War II era, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) seeks to create economic opportunity by attracting higher-paying jobs, expanding and diversifying local economies in the state, increasing incomes and investment, and generating positive growth throughout The Natural State. Arkansas is a pro-business environment operating leaner, faster and more focused through a streamlined state government designed to act on corporate interests quickly and decisively.