Arkansas Community & Economic Development Alliance
What is ACEDA?
ACEDA is an informal network with representatives from government agencies and organizations supporting Arkansas communities, regions, nonprofits, businesses and other organizations. There is no fee to join and representatives from any organization serving Arkansas can participate.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is proud to be a founding member of ACEDA. It exists because no single organization can do it all. We all need to work together to make a positive difference in Arkansas.
What we do:
- Link local governments, organizations and businesses in Arkansas to technical assistance, potential funding opportunities and other resources they need.
- Provide networking opportunities for ACEDA partners through quarterly meetings.
- Share information about our programs and services with each other.
- Partner on projects to better meet state and local needs.
The group meets quarterly to discuss projects in need of assistance. Representatives from partner organizations also communicate with each other by phone and email regarding projects in need of immediate assistance.
Browse the ACEDA Resource Guide to learn about agencies working to serve Arkansas.
How can you join?
Contact Brandon L. Mathews (bmathews@uada.edu or 501-671-2085) to be added to our email distribution list.
How can you contact us for help?
If you have a project and needs assistance, contact Brandon L. Mathews (bmathews@uada.edu or 501-671-2085) or complete a Needs Assessment form and return it to aado@arkansaseconomicregions.org.
Upcoming Meetings
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April 10, 2024, 10:00 am-noon
Contact bmathews@uada.edu for connection information.
Previous Meetings, 2021-2023
July 12, 2023 - Featured Speaker: Glen Howie, Arkansas State Broadband Director
April 12, 2023 - Featured Speakers: Matt Twyford, Community Development Director - Arkansas Economic Development Commission & Clint O’Neal, Executive Director - Arkansas Economic Development Commission
January 18, 2023 - Featured Speakers: Cory Anderson, Chief Innovation Office - Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation & Tim Smith, Program Director - USDA Rural Development
October 12, 2022 - Featured Speaker: Brandon L. Mathews, Program Associate – Economic Development, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension - Topic: Arkansas Business Navigator
July 13, 2022 - Featured Speaker: Kristen Dane, Project Officer and SCORP Planner – Outdoor Recreation Grants Program, Division of Arkansas State Parks
April 13, 2022 - Featured Speaker: Samantha Evans, Community Development Advisor – Workforce Development, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
January 12, 2022 - Featured speakers: Julie Trivitt, Senior Economist, and Katie Milligan, Program Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with Heartland Forward
October 13, 2021 - Featured speaker: Derek Lewis II - President, Derek Lewis Foundation & Chair, Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative (ABPC)
April 14, 2021 - Featured speaker: Tiffany Henry, Director of Entrepreneurial Communities, The Conductor
January 13, 2021 - Featured speakers: Kim Reed, AmeriCorps Program Manager for EngageAR &
Lori Ducey, Mission Effectiveness Consultant - Topic: Food Security and Food Systems Opportunities in ArkansasJuly 14, 2021 - Featured speaker: Hazelle Whited, Regional Program Coordinator-CREATE
BRIDGES, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service -
Show Me the Money: A Guide to Funding & Financing Community and Economic Development in Your Community or Region
Check out Extension's guide to identifying resources to implement community and economic development projects in your community or region.
