Northeast Arkansas Hybrid Rural Business Development Conference slated for March 22

The 2024 Northeast Arkansas Hybrid Rural Business Development Conference, with a theme of “Reimagining Rural Arkansas: Pathways to Growth and Success” will be held March 22 in Blytheville.

Providing small and emerging business owners in rural communities and their support networks with the skills, tools, and contacts needed to create and grow their enterprises, transfer businesses to new owners and better engage in job creation activities are some points of emphasis for the conference.

Funded by the Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC) and USDA RD, with support from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the conference will bring together about 20 private, quasi-state, state, federal and non-profit organizations to provide participants with needed resources to grow their existing businesses and support their local communities.

In-person participation will be limited to 75 at the conference site, which is located on the campus of Arkansas Northeastern College, Allied Technologies Building Community Room.

Topics will include but are not limited to, building strategic partnerships, evaluating and securing capital, how to maintain and transfer local business enterprises and assets, obtaining technical assistance for small businesses and selling goods and services to the government and corporate sector.

It will kickoff with “Breakfast with the Lenders Roundtable,” where conference participants will network with local, regional and statewide lenders. Managing Director of The Conductor and co-founder of Cadron Capital Partners, Dr. Jeff Standridge, will be the luncheon speaker.