Community Development

This includes strategic planning, product retention and expansion, and business development. Assistance Across Arkansas Regional managers offer a variety of services around the state, by collaborating with regional economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, local economic development organizations, and local elected officials. Regional managers help to build regional and local capacity making the State of Arkansas a thriving environment for citizens and businesses. Download the Community Development Regional Managers Map Programs Building and Site Inventory Entergy Arkansas, Inc., in cooperation with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, provides a free web-based site selection center to assist in the recruitment and expansion of business in Arkansas. The  Arkansas Site Selection Center (ARSSC)  features interactive maps, a database of buildings and sites and detailed, up-to-date demographics. These elements allow economic developers, site selection consultants and businesses to conveniently analyze and evaluate potential sites and communities. Economic development entities, such as the AEDC and local communities, can customize and use the ARSSC in conjunction with their existing websites. Buildings and Sites Database Community and County Profiles Geospatial Data Download Center Arkansas Site Selection Center Policies: Local economic developers are the only property managers allowed to upload properties to the ARSSC. The local economic developer must be the primary contact on any property they enter into the site. Realtors cannot upload properties, but should work with their local economic developer to enter properties. Only industrial properties are accepted. Sites must have at least 10 acres to be listed. Buildings must have at least 10,000 square feet to be listed. All properties must have a sale or lease price to be listed. Arkansas Site Selection Center Policies Local economic developers are the only property managers allowed to upload properties to the ARSSC. The local economic developer must be the primary contact on any property they enter into the site. Realtors cannot upload properties, but should work with their local economic developer to enter properties. Only industrial properties are accepted. Sites must have at least 10 acres to be listed. Buildings must have at least 10,000 square feet to be listed. All properties must have a sale or lease price to be listed. Business Retention and Expansion Studies show that up to 80 percent of all new jobs are created by existing companies. A successful business retention and expansion strategy serves the key purposes of demonstrating to existing firms that the community appreciates their contribution to the local economy, encourages expansion that leads to sustainable job growth, helps businesses solve their problems and challenges and assists local businesses in gaining awareness of available resources. Community Development's Regional Managers are ready to help implement effective business retention and expansion tools and strategies and ensure communities are familiar with the variety of resources available to help existing companies stay strong and grow. Community Presentations Regional Managers are available to speak to civic and community groups on economic, community and leadership development. To schedule a presentation, please contact the Community Development division at (501) 682-7329.