Van Buren, Fort Smith officials part of 75Strong program
by February 19, 2025 11:01 am 1,131 views
Four community leaders from the Fort Smith metro are part of the inaugural 75Strong cohort. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) program is designed to help individuals “foster entrepreneurship and innovation” in their communities.
The four from the Fort Smith metro are:
• Tracy Burba, owner of Main Street Mercantile and a Van Buren Municipal Utilities commissioner;
• Shannon-Newerth Henson, community outreach specialist for My HR Pros and a Van Buren City Council member;
• Sasha Grist, executive director of the Fort Smith-based Western Arkansas Planning and Development District; and,
• Julie Murray, president & CEO of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce.
The two-year program, managed by Conway-based Conductor and Fayetteville-based Startup Junkie, will help the 75 participants obtain Entrepreneurial Development Professional certification from the International Economic Development Council. The certification “will position participants as leaders in building entrepreneurial ecosystems and fostering small business success,” according to the AEDC announcement.
“We’re thrilled by the number and quality of applications we received for 75Strong and are so excited to bring such an accomplished and motivated group of people from around the state together in one room,” said Drew Smith, 75Strong program director. “We’re looking forward to an impactful next two years that I’m confident will result in a stronger Arkansas.”
Other training provided to participants will include the following, according to the AEDC.
• Develop strategic plans for their communities or regions to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth.
• Recruit more than 100 small businesses statewide to participate in a business-building curriculum focused on growth and job creation.
• Collaborate with fellow participants to create entrepreneurial coalitions and networks that sustain long-term development efforts.
“I am delighted to join this innovative, statewide program designed to foster entrepreneurship, empower leaders, and support small businesses,” Grist said in a statement provided by the Van Buren Chamber. “Over the next two years, I’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow leaders across the state, learning from and growing with one another. I’m especially excited to bring these insights back to the communities within the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District.”
According to the chamber, the 75Strong program will help the group improve Van Buren’s “entrepreneurial ecosystem” and support long-term job growth and innovation in the region.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn how to grow our local economy alongside Tracy, Sasha and Julie over the next two years in 75Strong. I look forward to working with them to develop and launch plans to support small businesses and create jobs right here in Van Buren,” said Newerth-Henson.