Walton Family Foundation grant to fund chamber initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, quality of life

The Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce has received a Walton Family Foundation grant from brothers Steuart and Tom Walton to fund projects it hopes will attract entrepreneurs to the city.

The marketing efforts, according to a news release, will focus on attraction, retention and development of businesses and talent that complement existing companies. The strategy, according to the chamber, is to better position the area to compete for emerging industries, and to attract proven entrepreneurs and business leaders to Bentonville.

“Using deep dive research and data analysis we can identify top entrepreneurs who over-index for the enjoyment of our key quality of place differentiators” Graham Cobb, president and CEO of the chamber, said in the release. “A modern methodology that utilizes tech forward tools and new media will allow us to tell personalized stories that relate the widescreen work/life experiences we enjoy in the greater Bentonville area to successful founders, as well as the high performing talent integral to supporting the nation’s third-fastest growing economy.”

The efforts, according to the chamber, reflect the Walton Family Foundation’s focus on quality of life as a key economic driver in Northwest Arkansas.

The grant also enables the chamber to build the capacity and organizational infrastructure necessary to connect small businesses and startups to the NWA entrepreneurial ecosystem, community, mentors, and other resources that will help their business.

The chamber will further develop existing efforts and create new programming to support resources for entrepreneurs and innovators. The Young Entrepreneur’s Academy and The Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit connect both young and veteran entrepreneurs and professionals to mentors while marrying them to the region through deepening relationships and shared experiences.