Hope Kiwanis Hears Program from Anna Powell of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation

The Hope Kiwanis Club had an excellent program for their last meeting of 2025.  Anna Powell of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation gave an update on the EDC participating in the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Competitive Community Initiative.  The program helps participating communities become more competitive in attracting new industry.  Powell noted Hope was one of the original participants in the pilot program; however, COVID came along during this development period and such programs were suspended for a time.  Powell noted that when she came on board at the EDC, she learned of the program and wanted to resume Hope’s participation.  Powell noted a third-party committee appointed by the state works to certify communities.  She said the participating communities have a set of qualifications they have to meet.  This includes compiling and submitting reports, data, and other criteria.  Powell says this is a big deal for Hope as there are only ten in the state.  It also gives participating communities preferred space on the AEDC website.

Powell said Texarkana is the closest CCI community and Arkadelphia will come on board in January.  She noted having two communities around us on I-30 being in the program benefits Hope and Southwest Arkansas regionally.

In addition to Hope, the CCI communities in the state include Texarkana, Paragould, Stuttgart, West Memphis, Wynne, Newport, Osceola, Russelville, and Little Rock.

One requirement to become a CCI community is to have annual dedicated funding which the EDC does.  Powell says the EDC plans to create a 501(c)3 organization to be called the Hempstead County Incentive and Site Development.  Powell said they will have dedicated fund raising through this organization for what the name implies.  Powell says this will give the community an additional competitive edge.  She also added that the coming year marks the 40th anniversary of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation and that economic development has changed quite a bit during that time.

Powell said one of the things important to the AEDC is that the community has an existing business retention and expansion program which our community has.  Powell this is important in expanding existing industries.

Powell noted during her time at the EDC, she has documented over $200 million dollars in capital reinvestment in Hempstead County industries.  She also noted over 200 jobs were announced at Hope Baking in early 2024 and another industry has also added 200 jobs.  New Millenium has also added 10 jobs during their recent $13 million dollar expansion.  The EDC has also voted to hire a consulting group to help with long-term site development identification and planning.

The Kiwanis members greatly enjoyed hearing from Powell on the EDC and the positive program was fitting as the club looks to a new year.