Nov. 12, 2020
Create Bridges launches small business podcast
By the U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Podcast explores joys and challenges of operating small business in rural Arkansas
- Listen to “Arkansas Small Business: Big Rural Impact” podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
- Download at uaex.uada.edu/createbridgesresources
(388 words)
LITTLE ROCK — Even in the best of times, entrepreneurs face challenges of operating small businesses in Arkansas, especially those in rural areas of the state.
The Create Bridges team at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture found a way to give voice to the joys and struggles of running such a business with a new podcast that spotlights small business owners in rural areas of the state.
The podcast — “Arkansas Small Business: Big Rural Impact” — spotlights retail, entertainment, accommodations and tourism businesses in two areas of the state: north central Arkansas (Izard, Sharp and Fulton counties) and southwestern Arkansas (Little River, Howard and Sevier counties).
Brandon Matthews, Hazelle Whited and Murriel Wiley, regional program coordinators for Create Bridges, co-host the podcast. Each episode runs about 20 minutes and features a new guest and a fresh topic of discussion.
Four episodes are now available. The most recent episode, released Nov. 12, is an interview with Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson. All episodes are available through the Spring River Innovation Hub’s Apple Podcasts and Spotify pages. They can also be downloaded at uaex.uada.edu/createbridgesresources.
“The goals of the series are to highlight products and services of businesses in their respective regions and to discuss ways business owners address workforce development, technology and infrastructure and adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Julianne Dunn, economic development instructor for the Division of Agriculture. “We’re also trying to foster collaborations and partnerships between local businesses in rural communities.”
Whited, the executive director for the Spring River Innovation Hub in Cherokee Village, has a passion for entrepreneurism.
“I have found that rural Arkansas has such a charm,” she said in an episode of the podcast. “I really like seeing business owners start and grow their businesses, which I believe is the lifeblood of economic development for rural communities.”
The podcast is just one of several outreach efforts by Create Bridges, a multistate pilot program to help communities strengthen the retail, tourism, hospitality and entertainment sectors. These sectors provide jobs and business opportunities that frequently boost rural economies.
Create Bridges is a grant-funded project implemented by Walmart and housed by the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
For more information about “Arkansas Small Business: Big Rural Impact” or to suggest a potential business owner for an interview, email createbridgesar@gmail.com.
To learn more about Create Bridges, visit https://uaex.uada.edu/createbridges. Follow the Cooperative Extension Service on Twitter at @AR_Extension.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu