Arkansas

During Fiscal Year 2013, EDA invested $956,501 in seven projects in the State of Arkansas.   These projects are expected to create or retain 20 jobs and leverage $582,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimates. EDA’s investments help Arkansas communities achieve bottom-up, locally-defined economic development goals and strategies.

EDA offers a complementary, balanced portfolio of grant programs designed to help rural and urban communities grow their private sectors and create jobs.

Investment Spotlight: Exporting Made Easy

Deciding to export and learning how to go about it can be a daunting task for a small business, but one that can be easier if the right services and assistance are available. In Arkansas, exporting and doing business in Asian and Latin American markets is getting a whole lot easier. The University of Arkansas and the World Trade Center Arkansas are combining forces to promote Arkansas exports and help the state compete more efficiently in the global marketplace.

World Trade Center Arkansas’ mission is to connect Arkansas with the world by providing international trade services to Arkansas companies, agricultural producers, and entrepreneurs, and by educating students in global commerce. Their partnership with the University of Arkansas includes international trips and trade missions, market research, marketing outreach activities, assessments and consultations with business owners, group training, and collaboration with governmental and private partners.

EDA invested $160,000 to educate, cultivate, mentor, and assist Arkansas companies find export opportunities and activities on a global scale.   The program will also allow World Trade Center Arkansas to introduce business opportunities to Arkansas companies in order to promote and improve economic development through increased exports, targeting Asian and Latin American markets. The ultimate goal is to address the trade deficit and to increase domestic job growth in Arkansas.