UA Community & Economic Development

05/19/2026

Arkansas APEX Accelerator is hiring in Jonesboro. Please share and/or apply today!

Current University of Arkansas System employees, including student employees and graduate assistants, need to log in to Workday via MyApps.Microsoft.com, then access Find Jobs from the Workday search bar to view and apply for open positions. Students at University of Arkansas System will also view o...

05/14/2026

Eleven nonprofit and community leaders from 6 counties gathered in Phillips County for a Capacity Building through Grant Writing training with instructors Danielle Watson and Dr. Hunter Goodman.

Thank you especially to Mayor Whitfield for providing a welcome to all participants. Thank you to Helen Halbert, Director of Helena Advertising & Promotions Commission. And to Julie Goings, UADA-Extension Phillips County, and Phillips County Chamber of Commerce for hosting a wonderful event.

Photo Credit: Julie Goings Strayhorn

05/14/2026

We're excited to partner with the Arkansas Agritourism Association to host Social Media Basics on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 pm. This free webinar aims to help agritourism businesses strengthen their marketing efforts. Registration is required: https://uada.zoom.us/meeting/register/24NI5PKJQfO9c7Tr6zmWdA

05/11/2026

NOTICE OF TIME CHANGE for this Arkansas APEX Accelerator event on 5/14/2026

NOTICE OF TIME CHANGE -
Building Your Network with the AEDC Arkansas Business Resource Hub

5/14/2026

⏰NEW TIME: 2:00 - 3:00 PM ⏰

The Arkansas Business Resource Hub is a free, centralized, statewide listing of the organizations committed to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners access the many resources, programs, and funding opportunities available to them. The site is managed by the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and funded by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, the Asset Funder's Network, the Arkansas Women's Foundation, and the Arkansas Community Foundation.
Esperanza Massana Crane, Director of AEDC's Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, will share tips for navigating the site to find important resources and opportunities within your community and make connections with those committed to supporting your venture.

REGISTER: https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2433

05/05/2026

Check out this opportunity for youth entrepreneurs being hosted by our friends at Arkansas 4-H!

We are just 1 week away from the inaugural Young Makers Market. Swing by the C.A. Vines 4-H Center (1 Four H Way, Little Rock) next Saturday (5/9) between 9am-5pm and check out all the talented youth vendors we have lined up. We plan to make this an annual event. Please help make the first year a success for these young entrepreneurs.

05/04/2026

Building Your Network with the AEDC Arkansas Business Resource Hub
Date: 5/14/2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CDT)

Building Your Network with the AEDC Arkansas Business Resource Hub
Date: 5/14/2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CDT)

The Arkansas Business Resource Hub is a free, centralized, statewide listing of the organizations committed to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners access the many resources, programs, and funding opportunities available to them.

The site is managed by the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and funded by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, the Asset Funder's Network, the Arkansas Women's Foundation, and the Arkansas Community Foundation.
Esperanza Massana Crane, Director of AEDC's Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, will share tips for navigating the site to find important resources and opportunities within your community and make connections with those committed to supporting your venture.
Instructions:

This is a virtual event. A Zoom meeting link will be sent to all who register a few days prior to the event.

REGISTER:
https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2433

05/04/2026

Arkansas APEX Accelerator office hours 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 the Generator with Kenneth Griffin– Pine Bluff
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (except from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM due to training)
Location: The Generator, 435 South Main St., Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2414 and Kenneth Griffin will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce with Kimberly Randle – Harrison
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce, 303 N Main St., Suite 301, Harrison, AR 72601
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2423 and Kimberly Randle will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at Communities Unlimited with Kimberly Randle - Fayetteville
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Communities Unlimited, 3 East C**t Square Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72703
Sign up at https://arapex.neoserra.com/conferences/2424 and Kimberly Randle will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the Newport Economic Development Commission with Kenneth Griffin–Newport
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (except from 10-11:30 AM due to training)
Location: Newport Economic Development Center – Tech Depot, 209 Hazel Street, Newport, AR 72112
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2404 and Kenneth Griffin will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the Monticello Economic Development Commission with Tim Hicks
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Monticello Economic Development Commission: 211 W Gaines Street, Monticello, AR 71655
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2415 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, May 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: University of Arkansas Fort Smith Economic Development Center - The Bakery District: 70 South 7th Street, Ft. Smith, AR 72901
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2417 and Kimberly Randle will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the Generator with Kenneth Griffin– Pine Bluff
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: The Generator, 435 South Main St., Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2416 and Kenneth Griffin will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the Conductor with Tim Hicks - Conway
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: The Conductor, 1201 Oak St, Conway, AR 72032
Sign up at https://calendly.com/info-q2mr/conductor-connect-meeting-tim-hicks?month=2026-05 and Tim Hicks will contact you to confirm your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce with Kenneth Griffin– Bryant
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce, 109 Roya Lane, Bryant, AR 72022
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2419 and Kenneth Griffin will contact you to set up your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at the ASU Delta Center for Economic Development with Kimberly Randle - Jonesboro
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Arkansas State University, Delta Center of Economic Development: 2nd Floor Conference Room, 318 University Loop West, Jonesboro, AR 72401
Sign up at https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2420 and Kimberly Randle will contact you to confirm your one-on-one appointment.

Office Hours at Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center with Tim Hicks – Little Rock
Date: Thursday, May 28 & Friday, May 29, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, Little Rock, AR 72204
Sign up at https://calendly.com/cityoflittlerock/apex-open-office-hours?month=2026-05 . Once you sign up, Tim Hicks will contact you to confirm your one-on-one meeting time.

05/04/2026

🌻🌼Hopefully, the April showers brought a lot of beautiful things for our Arkansas APEX Accelerator 𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥! 🌸🌺

🌻🌼Hopefully, the April showers brought a lot of beautiful things for our 𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥! 🌸🌺

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

✅Success Story: The Lamberts
✅RAMP – Reel Advances Manufacturing Program
✅Gov Con Round Up Live
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✅Tip of the month
✅News You Can Use
✅ Recommended Insights & Updates
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✅Govology webinars - FREE
✅CMMC & FOCI News
➕ And MORE

05/04/2026

Happy National Small Business Week!

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤!
National Small Business Week kicked off yesterday.
To celebrate, we would like to share some upcoming U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas events.

TOMORROW:
Virtual Summit
It’s not too late to register for tomorrow’s Virtual Summit! SBA and America’s SBDC are hosting a free virtual summit with sessions to help small businesses with digital marketing, HR, business planning, and more. In addition to these topics, there will be workshops on accessing federal resources as well as mentoring and networking opportunities. Register to attend today: https://www.cntvhybrid.com/nsbw2026/welcome!

UPCOMING webinars:
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program
REGISTER: May 7, 10 AM | June 2, 2 PM | July 8, 10 AM
Did you know: The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program helps small businesses in both urban and rural areas get priority access to federal contracting opportunities!
The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program's goal is to encourage job creation and capital investment in small businesses in economically challenged areas. With a goal of providing at least three percent (3%) of federal contract funds to HUBZone-certified companies each year, the HUBZone program promotes small business growth in previously neglected business zones. It also provides preference to businesses that are in full and open competition. The Small Business Administration has made it easier for qualified small firms to join the HUBZone program. Of course, there are requirements to join this program. Let the SBA Arkansas District Office explain the program and how your business can receive assistance with federal contracting at this virtual training workshop!

Introduction to 8(a) Business Development Program
REGISTER: May 13, 10 AM | June 3, 1 PM | July 9, 10 AM
Did you know: As an SBA 8(a) firm, your socially and economically disadvantaged business can take advantage of federal contracts! The 8(a) Business Development Program is an opportunity for your business to compete for contracts with limited competition, have an SBA Business Opportunity Specialist help your business navigate federal contracting, receive management and technical assistance, and more. Of course, there are requirements to join this program. Let the SBA Arkansas District Office explain the program and how your business can receive assistance with federal contracting at this virtual training workshop!

Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program with Resource Partners
REGISTER: May 6, 1 PM | June 2, 10 AM | July 15, 10 AM
Join the SBA Arkansas District Office & SBA Resource Partners as we explain the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program! Did you know that you can grow your business exponentially by competing for federal contracts? As a woman-owned small business, you can obtain federal contracts with less competition if you qualify. Join Suzanne Terrazas with the SBA Arkansas District Office to learn more about how to register or continue operating as a WOSB and take advantage of contracting opportunities to build and grow your business! Bonus: Meet with the Resource Partners that can provide you with free one-on-one consulting and can assist you with the certification process! Join the webinar 10 minutes in advance to make sure you can connect. For issues connecting to this webinar or other questions, please email [email protected]

04/24/2026

The Arkansas APEX Accelerator attended the Arkansas NIGP conference last week.

04/22/2026

ARKANSAS VETERANS’ BUSINESS SUMMIT hosted by @ Arkansas APEX Accelerator.

ARKANSAS VETERANS’ BUSINESS SUMMIT

MAY 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (CDT)
VIRTUAL via ZOOM

Due to the fall government shutdown, several government agencies were unable to present at our fall Veterans' summit. Join the Arkansas APEX Accelerator as we host the following speakers and valuable content you missed in the fall.

Dr. Ruby Crenshaw-Lawrence, Chief, Office of Small Business Programs and
Industry Engagements, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

Troy E. Miller, Small Business Specialist, Office of Small Business Programs
NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC), Stennis Space Center (SSC)

Helen “Gayle” Combs, Cybersecurity Advisor (Arkansas )
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Integrated Operations Division/ Region 6

Adriene F. Brown, District Director, OFO | Region 6 | Arkansas District Office
U.S. Small Business Administration

Register: https://arapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/2427