Delta Regional Authority co-chair to take part in ASU economic development panel

Delta Regional Authority co-chairman Chris Caldwell will headline a panel featuring community and economic development executives that will discuss “The Opportunity Landscape in Northeast Arkansas,” as part of the Neil Griffin College of Business Entrepreneurship & Innovation Series.

The discussion will take place April 19 from 2 to 3:15 p.m. in the auditorium in the Carl R. Reng Student Union, and will be live streamed on the Arkansas State Neil Griffin College of Business Facebook page. A reception will follow.

“We’ve brought together a panel of experts who will discuss the economic development of Jonesboro and our region and how these developments are creating new spaces for business creation or expansion,” said Dr. Hilary Schloemer, assistant professor of management in Griffin College.

Other panelists include Tiffny Calloway, director of community development for the city of Jonesboro, and Mike Downing, vice president of economic development for Jonesboro Unlimited.

Caldwell was confirmed as the DRA co-chair in December 2017 after being nominated by President Donald Trump. Prior to being confirmed as DRA chairman, Caldwell served as the director of special projects for U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark. Caldwell was the campaign manager for Boozman’s 2016 re-election campaign, as well as political director for Boozman’s 2010 Senate campaign.

Caldwell graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas.