Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives

06/03/2026

AEDCE members are among the top leaders in Arkansas, and today’s Arkansas Business Publishing Group 40 Under 40 luncheon was a great reminder of that. 

Out of more than 500 applicants statewide, three AEDCE members were selected as 2026 Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 honorees: 

-Jack Thomas, CeCD, Little Rock Regional Chamber
-JC Hite, Scale with Stability
-Nikki Courtney, Nabholz Corporation

Three completely different professions.  One shared mission: serving Arkansans.

 Our members are doing the work day in and day out to strengthen communities, create opportunities, and move Arkansas forward. AEDCE is grateful that leaders like these choose to invest in our organization and our mission.

 Congratulations on walking across the stage today. It is an honor to serve Arkansas alongside you!



05/22/2026

Congratulations, Shelby!

Director Shelby Fiegel has been selected as a 2026 Aspen Ideas Festival Fellow! This June, she will travel to The Aspen Institute campus to engage with visionary thinkers and innovative doers from all over the world and represent Arkansas as a part of those conversations. A big thank you to the Walton Family Foundation for nominating Shelby for this opportunity to represent our state!

Learn more about the Aspen Ideas Festival here: http://uca.edu/go/aspenideas

05/17/2026

Does your community manufacture the coolest thing in Arkansas? Prove it.

Nominate today and encourage members of your community to do the same!

The Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas is back!

We’re proud to partner with Arkansas Business once again to celebrate the incredible products made right here in Arkansas.

Know a product that deserves the spotlight? Nominate it today: https://www.coolestthinginarkansas.com/

Nominations close May 29!

05/05/2026

Big things are happening across Arkansas, and this is exactly the kind of momentum worth celebrating during Economic Development Week.

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission just awarded $25 million through its Site Development Program to 22 communities across the state. That means real work is happening on the ground right now to get sites ready, infrastructure in place, and communities positioned to compete for major projects.

This is how deals get won. Long before an announcement ever makes headlines.

AEDCE is especially proud to see so many of our members leading these efforts in their communities. They are doing the hard, behind-the-scenes work that moves Arkansas forward every single day.

Congratulations to all 22 recipients. Arkansas is better positioned because of you! Happy Economic Development Week!

05/04/2026

Congratulations to Dani Pugsley on achieving her CeCD certification!

05/04/2026

This week, May 4–9, Arkansas celebrates Economic Development Week, with an official proclamation by Gov. Sanders.

Members of Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives (AEDCE) were proud to join in recognizing the critical role economic developers play in building stronger communities across the state.

From supporting local businesses to attracting new investment and creating opportunities for workforce growth, these leaders are on the front lines of Arkansas’s economic success every day.

We will kick off our celebration by attending the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation luncheon in Little Rock today.

AEDCE is honored to represent and support the professionals who are driving progress in communities of all sizes across Arkansas.

05/03/2026

Congratulations, Bethany and Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce!

The Stuttgart Industrial Development Corporation (SIDC) has been awarded a $585,000 site development grant through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s (AEDC) Arkansas Site Development Program. The program provides funding exclusively to industrial park sites across Arkansas.

The grant will support efforts to remove 60 acres of Stuttgart’s Industrial Park from the floodplain, advancing site readiness for future development.

“This investment significantly strengthens our ability to compete for major economic development projects,” said Bethany Hildebrand, President and CEO of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce. “It moves us closer to positioning Stuttgart as a premier, development-ready industrial site in Arkansas.”

SIDC extends its appreciation to Governor Sanders, the Arkansas General Assembly, AEDC, and local partners for their support in making this project possible.

Pictured are Charlie Holt - Vice Chair of SIDC, Bethany Hildebrand, and Georganna Cossey - Regional Manager, Southeast Arkansas, AEDC

Read more: https://governor.arkansas.gov/news_post/governor-sanders-aedc-award-25m-to-22-arkansas-communities-for-industrial-site-development/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRggFVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFoY3BocWNQamhqQXdMREJOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiRlqgBErvyZP2qJ2YtLGoNuUaP8enUnblQP8Sscbm4BwMqqd_jqXtXzvJSs_aem_eISI6MuTU53VSAwq-PbP3w

04/22/2026

AEDCE members partner with AEDCE members. Thank you for being strong partners to each other across the state!

Thank you to The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce for spending some time with Accelerate Maumelle team today.

04/21/2026

Arkansas delivered in a big way as the Industrial Asset Management Council Spring Forum wrapped up in Little Rock this morning.

From hosting the IAMC Board of Directors at the Clinton Presidential Library to a stunning evening inside the Arkansas State Capitol and closing with an unforgettable Arkansas dinner on the lawn of the Old State House Museum, the week was a true showcase of Arkansas hospitality.

With incredible local partners like Wright’s Barbecue and Eat My Catfish, live music, and perfect spring weather, attendees experienced the very best of what our state has to offer.

AEDCE members played a major role in the host committee and showed up strong throughout the forum. Their leadership and collaboration continue to position Arkansas as a place where relationships matter and opportunities grow.

04/16/2026

The Mid-South Basic Economic Development Course has wrapped up for 2026! A special thanks today to Corey Parks with Conway Area Chamber of Commerce for the presentation on Business Retention and Expansion. He brought all the energy, discussion and practical takeaways.

A quick review of the surveys found “amazing food!” rated at the top. Thank you to Little Rock Regional Chamber, Nucor - Northeast Arkansas, CDI, Southwestern Electric Power Company - SWEPCO, Crafton Tull and Newport Economic Development Commission for making sure our group was fed well!

The group is traveling home today full of new ideas and ways to improve their communities. Entergy Arkansas, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, ACC Capital, Hot Springs Metro Partnership, and City of North Little Rock - Government, you are greatly appreciated! Thank you for helping AEDCE deliver this quality program with your investment.