From the Chamber's President/CEO
We’re getting ready for March winds … actually, they started a few weeks ago. March winds, in the weather business, means ‘period of transition’ and that’s what your Chamber is doing.
We’re off to a busy first two months. The new WIN (Workforce Initiative Network) textbooks are in the hands of some 3,500 8th through 12th grade students in 21 local schools. North Arkansas College and Wabash, along with other industry partners, are crafting customized training to enhance skills for the local workforce. North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is growing with their newest TheMED Urgent Care in Bellefonte. Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson gave his State of the City to our February 21st Eggs & Issues Breakfast, presented by Davis Construction. The community has welcomed 11 new businesses as Chamber investors in just 60 days. There’s much more to come.
For the last 50-plus days our Government Affairs Committee has been at work studying proposed bills introduced in Arkansas’ 94th General Assembly. There are, of course, some top of mind pieces of legislature that are important to everyone, and for the future of our communities. The one receiving the most conversation is the LEARNS Act. Significantly impacting our K-12 students and their instruction, is intended to place Arkansas in the front in the education arena. The omnibus bill has placed several different issues into a single bill: school choice, school safety and teacher pay. I urge you to read SB294, talk to educators and school administrators, and then contact your state senators and representatives to let them know your thoughts on one of the largest pieces of legislation in Arkansas history. This is about the future of our communities.
The Chamber’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon is coming up! Presented by Equity Bank for the fourth year, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald will keynote the event. We've announced the award recipients, and what an outstanding group of community members, businesses, and organizations they are! So, plan to be present to help recognize this special group, acknowledge the 2022-2023 Boone County Leadership Institute graduates, and learn about future plans of your Chamber. You can register on-line at www.harrison-chamber.com or call the office, 870-741-2659, and we’ll reserve seats for you.
We’re working myriad other issues, all promoting the business community of Harrison and Boone County. Economic development is our watchword and growing the prosperity of every individual living here is our goal. As I mentioned to a perspective Chamber investor today, ‘we’re here to help make your business more successful than you imagined.’ And I, we the staff, and community leaders volunteering their time, talent and treasure as Directors, are excited about doing that ... for the community! Cheers, Bob
Robert "Bob" Largent
President/CEO
Harrison Regional
Chamber of Commerce
