UA Community & Economic Development

09/04/2026

Our office will be CLOSED on Monday September 7th in observance of Labor Day.

Happy Labor to everyone and we hope you have an enjoyable weekend.

09/03/2026

You don't want to miss this opportunity.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Forecasting Federal Contracting Opportunities – In-Person – Little Rock

📅Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
📍Location: University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Office, 2301 South University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204
⏰Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM

👉REGISTER: https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2512

Successful government contractors don't wait for opportunities to be posted—they identify them in advance. In this course, Tim Hicks, Arkansas APEX Accelerator, A.J. Brown, Deputy and Director of Business Operations, 19th Contracting Squadron, Little Rock AFB, and Lakisha Vance, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) - Little Rock District, Small Business Liaison, will teach participants how to use federal agency forecasts, procurement plans, budget documents, and market research tools to identify upcoming contract opportunities before they reach the solicitation stage.

Attendees will learn how to interpret agency procurement forecasts, research buying trends, identify target agencies, and develop a proactive business development strategy. The course also covers practical techniques for building a qualified pipeline, positioning your company early in the acquisition process, and increasing your chances of winning federal contracts.
Whether you are new to government contracting or looking to strengthen your federal business development efforts, this session provides actionable strategies to help you anticipate opportunities and stay ahead of the competition.

09/02/2026

Arkansas APEX Accelerator's Program Director, Melanie Berman, recently received her Arkansas Government Manager certificate from the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium. Join us in congratulating her!

The Arkansas APEX Accelerator is proud to celebrate Melanie Berman, our Program Director, on receiving her Arkansas Government Manager Certificate! 🎓

This achievement reflects Melanie’s dedication to professional development, leadership, and excellence in public service. We are especially proud that this milestone brings her one step closer to earning her National Certified Public Manager (CPM) certification.

Melanie’s commitment to continuous learning and strong leadership makes a difference not only within the Arkansas APEX Accelerator, but also in the communities and businesses we have the privilege of serving.

Please join us in congratulating Melanie on this well-deserved accomplishment! We’re proud to have her leading our team and excited to see all that’s ahead. 👏

Congratulations, Melanie! 🎓🇺🇸

09/02/2026

Main Street Arkansas is holding an application workshop on Monday, September 28th. If your community is interested in learning more about our program and how we can help you in your downtown revitalization efforts we encourage you to join us!
Lisa Mullins Thompson, Senior Program Officer with Main Street America will be leading the workshop.
The workshop will be held in the Diamond Room of the headquarters of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, 1100 North Street in Little Rock.
RSVP to Greg Phillips, Director at 501.350.0270 or [email protected].

09/01/2026

Arkansas APEX Accelerator Aerospace & Defense Summit last week in Bentonville.

09/01/2026

Arkansas APEX Accelerator office hours with Procurement Counselors around the state.

Office hours are for established businesses interested in selling to the government.
Please sign up on the Arkansas APEX Accelerator event website unless otherwise noted.

Office Hours at UAPB with Kenneth Griffin – Pine Bluff
Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Location: UAPB, Small Business & Technology Development Center, 615 S. Main St., Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2538 and Kenneth Griffin will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the Siloam Springs Chamber with Kimberly Randle – Siloam Springs
Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Location: Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce: 101 North Mt. Olive Street,, Siloam Springs AR 72761-3156
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2522 and Kimberly Randle will contact you to confirm your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at The Generator with Tim Hicks – Pine Bluff
Date: Wednesday, September 29 2026
Location: The Generator: 435 South Main Street, Pine Bluff AR 71601-4325
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2529 and Tim Hicks will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at UA Ft. Smith Economic Development Center with Kimberly Randle – Ft. Smith
Date: Wednesday, September16, 2026
Location: University of Arkansas Fort Smith Economic Development Center - The Bakery District: 70 South 7th Street, Ft. Smith AR 72901
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2523 and Kimberly Randle will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at Communities Unlimited with Kimberly Randle – Fayetteville
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Location: Communities Unlimited, 3 East C**t Square Drive, Fayetteville AR 72703
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2531 and Kimberly Randle will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the Conductor with Tim Hicks – Conway
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Location: The Conductor, 1201 Oak St, Conway, AR 72032
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sign up at https://calendly.com/info-q2mr/conductor-connect-meeting-tim-hicks?month=2026-09&date=2026-09-17 and Tim Hicks will contact you to confirm your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the Delta Center for Economic Development with Kimberly Randle & Davin Ryles – Jonesboro
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Location: ASU Delta Center for Economic Development, Room 203, 318 University Loop West, Jonesboro, AR 72401
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2528 and Kimberly Randle will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the Newport Economic Development Commission with Kimberly Randle & Davin Ryles – Newport
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Location: Newport Economic Development Center – Tech Depot, 209 Hazel Street, Newport, AR 72112
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2518 and Kimberly Randle will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center with Tim Hicks – Little Rock
Date: Thursday, September 24 & Friday, September 25, 2026
Location: Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, Little Rock, AR 72204
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sign up at https://calendly.com/cityoflittlerock/apex-open-office-hours?month=2026-09 . Once you sign up, Tim Hicks will contact you to confirm your one-on-one meeting time.

09/01/2026

Check out Arkansas APEX Accelerator September newsletter.

📥Our 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 recently hit your inboxes! 📥

👀 CHECK IT OUT!
https://mailchi.mp/uada.edu/newsletter-september

✅Welcome Davin & Tina
✅Article: Pine Bluff Community Cohort
✅Gov Con Round Up Live
✅Open Office Hours
✅Tip of the month
✅News You Can Use
✅Industry Training Series
✅Local Concessions Opportunities
✅Recommended Insights & Updates
✅Upcoming events
✅Govology webinars - FREE
✅CMMC & FOCI News
➕ And MORE

08/26/2026

Notice of office hour cancellation.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Office Hours at Willie Hinton center with Tim Hicks on August 27th & 28th have been postponed!

08/12/2026

Welcome Davin!

🎉We are pleased to welcome Davin Ryles as our new Northeast Arkansas Procurement Counselor. Davin will be stationed in our Jonesboro Arkansas APEX Accelerator center located in the Delta Center for Economic Development on the ASU campus.

Davin brings experience in federal lending, financial analysis, and government program administration and hands-on experience navigating federal regulations, processes, and compliance requirements.

We are excited to have Davin onboard and look forward to the knowledge and expertise he will bring to our organization.

08/05/2026

📥Our Arkansas APEX Accelerator 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 recently hit your inboxes! 📥

📥Our 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 recently hit your inboxes! 📥

👀 CHECK IT OUT!
https://mailchi.mp/uada.edu/newsletter-august

✅Volunteers needed
✅New DBE Program Requirements
✅Gov Con Round Up Live
✅Open Office Hours
✅Tip of the month
✅News You Can Use
✅ Recommended Insights & Updates
✅Upcoming events
✅Govology webinars - FREE
✅CMMC & FOCI News
➕ And MORE See less