Wilson Marseilles President/CEO Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce

Hello friends… And Happy October! We are in high gear at the Chamber planning and executing our leadership programs that are driving important conversations and connections for the future of our region.

Connecting Future Leaders

The Boone County Leadership Institute, presented by Kinetic by Windstream is designed to connect and inspire our upand-coming business leaders. Identified by their respective companies, the class recently returned from their retreat in Little Rock. During this retreat, they had the opportunity to interact with our state’s economic development partners, conquer a high ropes course, and learn about the pivotal role community development plays in fostering economic growth.

The Little Rock retreat showcases the beauty and history of our state and the advantages that Arkansas offers for businesses. It’s not just our beautiful landscapes but our warm, welcoming communities and a business climate that promotes growth and opportunity. My friend Clint O’Neal at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) may have captured it best: “At AEDC, we know economic advancement doesn’t happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success.” Natural choice for the Natural State. That session with AEDC inspired some conversation about how we are being intentional in the Harrison region to attract and retain business and talent. That’s what our Chamber is all about!

Educators Paving the Way for Student Success

Our Workforce Initiative Network (WIN) Leadership Academy, presented by Wabash, is in its third year dedicated to our educators who play an essential role in preparing the next generation for success in the workforce. This program is half book study and half industry roundtables, with a clear goal of enhancing student employability and broadening educators’ understanding of career paths within our region. Empowering educators with an understanding of local industries has been a critical partnership for us at the Chamber. We’re finding when teachers understand the skills and knowledge required in our local job market, they can better guide their students towards careers right here in the Harrison region. Our post-academy survey data suggests that our educators are more confident and more likely to make recommendations, guidance, and specific connections to our business community because of their increased social capital derived from this academy. By working with the OUR Cooperative to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, we’re investing in our teachers, counselors, and students so they are well-prepared for the future while also strengthening the bond between our educational institutions and local businesses. It’s a ‘win-win’ situation that promotes economic growth and prosperity for all (I couldn’t help myself with the word play). Plus, it’s also encouraging. The feedback we got the first year caught me by surprise. One educator said “we tend to get so bogged down with rules, guidelines, lesson plans, and grading papers that sometimes we forget how many people in our communities are rooting for our student’s success and want to play a part in helping them get there. This program has been a really helpful reminder of how supportive our community is of our schools.” These leadership programs are not just about investing in the present; they are investments in the future of Harrison and Boone County. Our Chamber has been driving economic prosperity since 1941 and the team of Lloyd, Amy, Bob, and myself are pleased to continue convening and connecting people and resources for the betterment of our community.