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Arkansas State Delta Center for Economic Development to Offer Free Webinars Designed to Recruit Alumni, Young Families to Community

09/24/2013

JONESBORO, Ark. — Community leaders in northeast and east Arkansas have a great opportunity to learn about a new economic development strategy with a webinar series in October and November.

“Strategies to Recruit Alumni and Young Families to Your Community” is the theme of webinars offered on three Wednesdays—Oct. 2, Oct. 23, and Nov. 13—from noon to 1 p.m. The first webinar focuses on analyzing community assets and audiences; the second webinar is “Crafting Your Message,” focused on community branding; and the third webinar, “Building a Winning Game Plan,” focuses on connecting with newcomers or those who are returning.

The seminars may be viewed free of charge at the Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Development (DCED) in Jonesboro. Registered participants may also stay for an additional hour of facilitated discussion of similar activities in northeast Arkansas, to share Arkansas resources and to receive additional materials relevant to recruiting former residents and young families.

Participants may also register to see the webinar on their own for $189 by registering at http://www.heartlandcenter.info/.

Jerry Smith, Delta Center associate, said, “What could be more important to rural towns in Arkansas than keeping and recruiting young families?”

Smith said the first time he attended one of the seminars, he came away impressed adding, “I expect it will be even better because they have so many more case studies now.”

The webinars are produced by the Heartland Center for Leadership Development and the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship from Lincoln, Neb., and draw on considerable research and experience in revitalizing rural communities.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP by e-mail to jerry@astate.edu.

The webinars are also offered in Little Rock, sponsored by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Breakthrough Solutions Program, in Conway with sponsorship by the University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development, and in Dumas with sponsorship by CenturyLink and the Delta Technology Education Center.

For more information, contact Jerry Smith, 870-972-3000, jerry@astate.edu.