March 2021 

-15 degrees! You’ve got to be kidding me! I’m not stationed in North Dakota any longer. WOW! Sorry, I digress…

We did have a busy February with our economic development mission at the Chamber, even with the Arctic cold snap and snow, and March looks like it’ll be even busier. In addition to the staff, each of the Chamber’s committees is hard at work tackling its responsibilities.

Director Scott Tennyson, Arvest Community Bank President, chairs the Economic Development Committee. The EDC, composed of eight ‘prime’ and ‘main street’ business owners and community leaders, is engaged in helping guide us through our Business, Retention, and Expansion efforts. BR&E, through personal interviews with business owners and leaders, identifies the community’s strengths and weaknesses for all existing businesses, whether a Chamber investor or not. Our goal here is to gather data to understand our economic development landscape and then create the most business-friendly environment we can have. That simple goal is essential to taking care of and growing the businesses that already call Harrison, Boone County and the region home. If your business hasn’t had a BRE interview yet, please know that ‘you’re on the list.’

The Public Policy Committee, chaired by Director Jim Holland, President of Phillips Media, monitors national, state and local government policy that affects our stakeholders, to ensure your business voice is heard. When the Arkansas General Assembly is in session – like now – this six-member team of community leaders gathers important issues from our businesses and then assesses proposed legislation and its impact locally. The PPC engages our elected state senators and representatives to make them aware of what their business constituents think, and has a direct line to Little Rock through the State Chamber of Commerce to understand the broader impact of issues. We forward, via a daily E-Blast, the State Chamber’s Daily Legislative Update to keep the community informed of the General Assembly’s work on behalf of Arkansas business.

And…we’re pleased to have two new businesses choose to locate in Harrison, Dunkin’ and Scooter’s Coffee. We recently held groundbreakings for both and welcome them to the community. Combined, the two new businesses, with full and part-time employees, are estimated to create over $1,000,000 in new payroll for the community!

Our ‘This Week at the Chamber’ Facebook updates are generating lots of buzz. Be sure and check them out each Monday.

I can’t say this enough, so here goes again: thanks to the community for the fantastic support of your Chamber…where we are…taking care of business! Cheers, Bob