FRIENDS held its monthly board of directors meeting on April 16, 2021 at 11:30 AM on the UA Cossatot De Queen Campus. In attendance were President: Mike Branson, Vice President: Greg Revels, Secretary/Treasurer: Jay Bunyard, Angie Walker, Dr. Steve Cole, Sevier County Judge: Greg Ray, Randell Wright, Tiffany Maurer, and Kristen Pike (remotely).

The board began the meeting by approving the minutes from the February 12^th board of directors meeting and receiving a financial update that the foundation has successfully secured enough funding to provide the economic development department with an operating budget for three years (2021 through 2023). The board then voted to create a spending threshold for the economic development director to maintain transparency in spending operations for the department.

Kristen Pike, the Regional Director of North American Development for Best Western Hotels, presented to the group on Sevier County’s outlook for a chain hotel. She described the costs associated with a hotel project for Sevier County and made recommendations on the specifications needed for a successful project.

The board discussed the importance of a county-specific Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy to use as a holistic approach to economic development for Sevier County in the form of a strategic plan. The current CEDS for Sevier County is provided by Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District but applies to the eleven county service area and doesn’t directly address Sevier County’s opportunities and goals. The board is contacting state economic development and research agencies for guidance on creating a CEDS to benefit Sevier County as a whole and will address their findings during their next meeting in May.

Tiffany Maurer updated the group on the ACT Work Ready Communities Boot Camp she and David Sirmon attended on behalf of Sevier County in March and the goals assigned to the county to achieve a Work Ready Communities designation. She notified the group that ACT now considers supporting businesses as those that either Recognize or Recommend an ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (ACT NCRC) from their applicants. A Recognizing business acknowledges that they understand what the ACT NCRC is. A Recommending business acknowledges that they give preference to applicants with an NCRC for promotion over those without the certificate. She is in the process of getting a community team together to encourage adoption of the ACT WRC program.

For more information or questions about becoming a member of FRIENDS, please contact Tiffany Maurer at 870-584-1184 or email tmaurer@cccua.edu.