A-State hosts second annual Catalyst: NEA Economic Development & Leadership Forum

About 600 business, education, and government leaders recently gathered for the Catalyst: NEA Economic Development & Leadership Forum at the Embassy Suites Red Wolf Convention Center in Jonesboro. The daylong forum focused on agriculture, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure, with a lunch discussion on regional collaboration that tied the day together.

Chancellor Todd Shields said the forum is designed to translate momentum into specific next steps for jobs, investment, and opportunity in Northeast Arkansas and across the state and region.

Last year, A-State’s total economic impact reached $2.5 billion, including $480 million from university operations, student and visitor spending, plus $2 billion from alumni statewide. That impact supports more than 16,000 jobs and returns $7.10 for every dollar invested by the state.

“Catalyst brings operators, educators, and public leaders to the same table to compare notes and commit to next steps,” Shields said. “When we align priorities, we move faster and build results that last.”

Agriculture leaders underscored the sector’s role as a statewide engine for exports, manufacturing, and rural prosperity. The conversation highlighted value-added products, workforce needs, and the importance of coordinated planning among producers, processors, and educators.

“When industry, education and policy sit down together, Arkansas moves faster,” said Wes Ward, Arkansas Agriculture Secretary and an A-State alumnus. “At Catalyst we highlighted how agriculture powers exports, manufacturing and rural prosperity — and how additional gains will come from value-added products, a job-ready workforce and real coordination among producers, processors and educators. As an A-State alumnus, I’m proud to see that kind of problem-solving in one room.”

Entrepreneurship sessions focused on practical ways to scale companies, strengthen talent pipelines, and connect founders with mentorship and capital. Attendees also engaged with A-State faculty and students on applied learning and internship pathways that match employer needs.

Over lunch, the forum shifted to regionalism, as Shields and Graham Cobb of Paceline Strategies & Emeraude explored how communities, higher education, and industry can collaborate to achieve mutual benefits. Shields framed the opportunity as a shared work plan that links workforce, sites, housing, and quality of life.

“Regional collaboration becomes real when communities, employers, and campuses execute the same playbook,” Shields added. “Coordinate recruitment, align training, and invest in places where people want to live — the whole region benefits.”

Infrastructure leaders closed the program with a look at highways, power, and project delivery needed to match growth. The discussion centered on reliability, safety, and readiness so employers can expand with confidence and families can build their lives here.

“Smart infrastructure is the backbone of long-term prosperity in Northeast Arkansas,” said Jerry Halsey Jr., Arkansas Highway Commissioner, CEO of Halsey Real Estate, and another A-State alumnus. “From industrial sites and housing to reliable energy and connected corridors, we’re focused on practical projects that make it easier to move people and goods and that link towns across the region.”

Executive-in-Residence Heather Nelson emphasized the importance of follow-through and measurable progress. She pointed to the operator-driven format and the expectation that participants leave aligned on next steps.

“Today was about highlighting what’s going well in Northeast Arkansas and across the state, and identifying concrete next steps to build on that momentum,” said Heather Nelson. “We now turn our attention to building on that momentum for the benefit of students, employers, and communities.”