Program to Help Business Retention

Create Bridges, a pilot program in southwest Arkansas is working to help local communities strengthen their retail and tourism sectors. The program hosted a series of forums earlier this year in Howard, Little River, and Sevier counties. The goal is to help boost rural economies.

Howard County Coordinator Jean Ince says the next step will be business retention and expansion interviews with businesses in each county. They are identifying those businesses now. Once they are complete, they will compile the data to see which direction to go. The program could also identify opportunities for workforce training.