Arkansas Community & Economic Development Alliance
What is ACEDA?
The Arkansas Community & Economic Development Alliance is an informal network with representatives from government agencies and organizations supporting Arkansas communities, regions, nonprofits, businesses and other organizations. There is no fee to join and representatives from any organization serving Arkansas can participate.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is proud to be a founding member of ACEDA. It exists because no single organization can do it all. We all need to work together to make a positive difference in Arkansas.
What we do:
- Link local governments, organizations and businesses in Arkansas to technical assistance, potential funding opportunities and other resources they need.
- Provide networking opportunities for ACEDA partners through quarterly meetings.
- Share information about our programs and services with each other.
- Partner on projects to better meet state and local needs.
The group meets quarterly to discuss projects in need of assistance. Representatives from partner organizations also communicate with each other by phone and email regarding projects in need of immediate assistance.
Browse the ACEDA Resource Guide to learn about agencies working to serve Arkansas.
Join the mailing list.
Get invites to quarterly meetings, videos and transcripts, and resources shared by ACEDA members by subscribing to the email list. Looking for partners or collaboration on a project? Send it to the the 170+ and growing mailing list.
Host the next meeting.
Each meeting offers virtual and in-person attendance to accommodate members statewide. Host the next quarterly meeting and showcase your building and services. Meetings typical run from 10 a.m. -12 p.m As a host, you are not required to be the featured speaker. Contact Brandon L. Mathews at bmathews@uada.edu to learn more.
Be a featured speaker.
Each quarterly meeting has a featured speaker that provides information related to community and economic development. Past speakers have represented nonprofits, state and federal government agencies, community-based organizations, and higher education institutions. Speakers typically present for 15-20 minutes with time for Q&A. As the featured speaker, you are not required to be a host. Send inquiries to bmathews@uada.edu.
How can you contact us for help?
If you have a project and needs assistance, contact bmathews@uada.edu or complete a Needs Assessment form and return it to aado@arkansaseconomicregions.org.
Upcoming Meetings
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2025 Meetings
January 29, 2025
Join the ACEDA email list to get the most up to date meeting information.
Previous Meetings, 2021-2024
October 16, 2024
Investing in Rural Prosperity: A Forum on Braiding and Blending Federal and Private Funds
Investing in Rural Prospertity Presentation Slides
TRIC Framework Handout
Investing in Rural Prospertity ResourcesFeatured Speakers:
Samantha Evans - Outreach Regional Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Daniel Pual Davis - Vice President and Community Affairs Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Hunter P. Goodman - Assistant Professor, UADA-Extension
Martha Claire Bullen - Director of Community Sustainability, Communities Unlimited
Michael RIvera - Director Nuestra Casa, Communities Unlimited
Tineciaa Harris - Strategic Partnerships Program Coordinator, Delta Regional Authority
Christel Taylor- Director of Workforce and Downtown Development, Newport Economic Development Commission & Newport Area Chamber of Commerce
Darryl Treat, Executive Director, Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce
Matt Twyford - Director of Community Development, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
David Blick - Director of Office of Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Little Rock Field OfficeJuly 17, 2024
Economic Development Administration (EDA) Overview and Community Partners
EDA ACEDA Meeting Presentation Slides
Featured Speakers: April Campbell, Economic Development Representative - U.S. Economic Development Administration, Austin Regional Officce; Renee Dycus, Executive Director - Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District; Dwayne Pratt, Executive Director - West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District; Rodney Larsen, Executive Director - Central Arkansas Planning and Development District
April 10, 2024 - Featured Speaker: Brandon Horvath - Consulting Manager, Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
January 17, 2024 - Featured Speaker: Mike Malone - Vice Chancellor for Economic Development, University of Arkansas
October 11, 2023 - Featured Speaker: Janea Jamison, Regional Advocate-Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas), U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy
July 12, 2023 - Featured Speaker: Glen Howie, Arkansas State Broadband Director
April 12, 2023 - Featured Speakers: Matt Twyford, Community Development Director - Arkansas Economic Development Commission & Clint O’Neal, Executive Director - Arkansas Economic Development Commission
January 18, 2023 - Featured Speakers: Cory Anderson, Chief Innovation Office - Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation & Tim Smith, Program Director - USDA Rural Development
October 12, 2022 - Featured Speaker: Brandon L. Mathews, Program Associate – Economic Development, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension - Topic: Arkansas Business Navigator
July 13, 2022 - Featured Speaker: Kristen Dane, Project Officer and SCORP Planner – Outdoor Recreation Grants Program, Division of Arkansas State Parks
April 13, 2022 - Featured Speaker: Samantha Evans, Community Development Advisor – Workforce Development, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
January 12, 2022 - Featured speakers: Julie Trivitt, Senior Economist, and Katie Milligan, Program Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with Heartland Forward
October 13, 2021 - Featured speaker: Derek Lewis II - President, Derek Lewis Foundation & Chair, Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative (ABPC)
July 14, 2021 - Featured speaker: Hazelle Whited, Regional Program Coordinator-CREATE
BRIDGES, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension ServiceApril 14, 2021 - Featured speaker: Tiffany Henry, Director of Entrepreneurial Communities, The Conductor
January 13, 2021 - Featured speakers: Kim Reed, AmeriCorps Program Manager for EngageAR &
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Show Me the Money: A Guide to Funding & Financing Community and Economic Development in Your Community or Region
Check out Extension's guide to identifying resources to implement community and economic development projects in your community or region.
