Alliance for Rural Impact

ARI is not the typical community and economic development organization. How are we different? Let us tell you! To learn how ARI can serve your community or business, visit www.ruralimpact.org or please contact us at contact@ruralimpact.org. #communitymatters #technologysolutions #technologyinnovation #ruraldevelopment #ruralcommunities #growingrural #ruralcommunities #communitycreativeeconomy #creativeeconomy #localcreativity #ruralbusiness #ruralamerica #businessgrowth #businessinnovation

In every small town, there’s a place that captures the heart of the community—and in Des Arc, Arkansas, that place is Guess and Co.! Since 2016, Guess and Co. has been a cornerstone of holiday cheer, offering a one-of-a-kind Christmas experience that has become a beloved tradition in the Arkansas Delta. Each year Guess and Co. opens their 60,000-square-foot warehouse for the largest ‘Christmas Sale in the South,’ transforming the space into a magical winter wonderland. Paul Guess and his dedicated team have built a small-town gem, curating an extraordinary collection of seasonal decor, candles, and more. It’s a testament to the power of small-town charm, where passion, creativity, and local pride come together to create an unforgettable experience. 📍2411 W. Main St. Des Arc, AR 72040 #smalltown #smalltownamerica #smalltownsuccess #businessgrowth #smalltownbusiness #ruralbusiness #ruralcommunity #communitygrowth #ruralcommunityentrepreneurs #Christmas #Christmasstore #guessandcompany #guessandco #desarc

🚨 Don’t miss out! 🚨 There’s just one week left until our virtual workshop with Jakob Michaelis, Chief Strategy Officer at Dave Creek Media! Learn 5 essential steps to help your startup grow and thrive. Whether you’re in the early stages or scaling, this session will equip you with practical strategies to move forward with confidence. 📅 Mark your calendar: 12/10/2024 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM 🌐 Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gUBVwht6 Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Startup Junkie | Conductor | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | Kristopher Adams | Jakob Michaelis | Esperanza Massana Crane | Bob Kucheravy | Clint O'Neal, CEcD | Laura Kingrey | Grace Rains, MBA | Kaitlyn Loughridge

🚨 ARise #startups and Arkansas #tech #entrepreneurs need to read this Crunchbase article highlighting Arkansas' startup scene - https://lnkd.in/dhKpXJW8 🚨 Here are some of the highlights - ⭐ So far this year, a handful of states with smaller startup scenes (defined here as below $2 billion in annual funding) have defied the odds and posted sizable investment gains. By our count, there are seven standouts: #Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kentucky, Montana, Oregon and Vermont. ⭐ So far this year, Arkansas startups have raised $175 million — up nearly 50% from the 2023 full-year total, with gains coming from several larger deals. ⭐ It does certainly look as though Arkansas is coming into its own as a startup hub, with an impressive array of funded companies for a relatively sparsely populated state. ARise | Startup Junkie | Conductor | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Brett Amerine | Grace Rains, MBA | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | Kaitlyn Loughridge | Matthew Ward | Florence Meadors | Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Clint O'Neal, CEcD | Esperanza Massana Crane | Bob Kucheravy | Mallory Race | Laura Kingrey | Tyler Hale | Cadron Capital Partners | Kiva NWA | Claudia Scott | Harrison Kitson | Caleb Talley | Fuel Accelerator | Darian Harris | Grace Gill | Louis Diesel #venturefunding

Happy Thanksgiving from ARI! 🦃 This season, we are especially thankful for the people and partnerships that drive our mission forward. ARI’s power of collaboration is igniting change in rural communities! From driving entrepreneurial development to leveraging unique assets of rural areas, to breaking down generational workforce barriers, we are proud of our work that continues to create opportunities, foster connectivity, and build vibrant, sustainable future generations. Today, we celebrate with gratitude our families, friends, peers, and communities who are working together for a brighter tomorrow. 🍁

🌟 SME Spotlight: Meet Allisha Watkins! Allisha Watkins is the Founder and CEO of Paradox Retail, a forward-thinking company that’s transforming the retail industry. With her innovative approach and passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences, Allisha has established herself as a leader in the field. Her strategic vision has fueled Paradox Retail's growth and success, making her a respected expert in retail innovation and marketing. As an ARise SME, Allisha offers her expertise to help entrepreneurs grow and thrive. From brand development and digital marketing strategy to customer journey mapping, paid advertising, and sales alignment, she’s ready to guide startups through key areas that drive growth. Want to work with experts like Allisha? Apply for ARise today to gain access to one-on-one consultations with her and other top industry leaders! 📩 Learn more & apply at https://buff.ly/3YpV1NG Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Startup Junkie | Conductor | Esperanza Massana Crane | Laura Kingrey | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Brett Amerine | Kristopher Adams | Allisha Watkins | Clint O'Neal, CEcD | Bob Kucheravy

Have you checked your inbox? Our quarterly newsletter, Impact on Demand, is here! Dive into highlights and insights, including Arkansas Chat n’ Chew Collaborative Event, Birdeye Gravel ‘24, DLI Graduation, Working for Southeast Arkansas and much more! Discover how ARI is driving change, strengthening communities, and championing rural innovation. If you haven’t seen it, check your email or contact us to stay connected. Let’s keep making an impact! #newsletter #ruraldevelopment #ruralentrepreneurship #ruralbusiness #businesssupport #businessgrowth #ruralbusinessgrowth #newsletter #businessnewsletter #ruralbusinessnews #ruralbusinesssupport #businesssupport

Mrs. Ruthie Pride, Delta Cultural Center Exhibit Curator, is one of Helena-West Helena’s outstanding citizens. If you are in the community, you know Ruthie is dedicated to her neighbors. Ruthie doesn’t talk about the problems in her community, she aims to solve them by being a servant leader in her church, King Solomon Church, by training to become a doula so she can better serve the young mothers in her community in hopes of decreasing overwhelmingly high infant mortality rates in the region, and by serving on the board of directors for Delta Circles, which believes that investing in black women is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and acquiring economic prosperity for Delta communities. She helped found the Eliza Miller Opportunity Hub which is a public space where youth and families connect to resources that help them live out their full potential, expand their leadership, and give back. Like so many we have met in the southeast Arkansas region, Mrs. Ruthie Pride has hope for her hometown and believes that people not only can have, but deserve, a clean, healthy community to live, work, and play. ARI is striving to create actionable solutions that target persistent issues such as poverty and economic instability. By engaging with citizens and organizations who are already doing the hard work, together we can move the needle in the Arkansas Delta! Mrs. Ruthie Pride is pictured here with Candace Dolls, Delta Cultural Center Education Director. Delta Cultural Center

They are more than soldiers; they are our heroes. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Let us always keep them and their families in our prayers and never forget the sacrifices they made for us all. Wishing you a meaningful Veteran’s Day from ARI.

"The Mississippi Delta faces unique workforce challenges, but with the support of the Alliance for Rural Impact, we are turning obstacles into opportunities. Together, we’re crafting thoughtful solutions to boost workforce participation and create a stronger foundation for business growth in Greenwood and Leflore County.” - Thomas Gregory, Executive Director of Greenwood, Mississippi. Through strategic guidance and support, ARI is helping to shift obstacles into opportunities for growth. In our partnership with Greenwood and Leflore County we are helping them to reimagine what the workforce could look like by addressing crucial workforce barriers such as access to affordable childcare, reliable transportation, and skills development. ARI’s goal is to lay the groundwork for long-term success thus creating a sustainable and prosperous future for businesses and families alike in the Greenwood region. #ruralbusiness #ruralcommunity #ruralgrowth #growth #communitygrowth #promotingbusiness #promotingcommunity #Sustainability #communitysupport #businesssupport #collaborativework #smallbusiness #smallbusinessgrowth #smallbusinesssupport #supportforsmallbusiness #mississippi #ruralmississippi #mississippibusiness #mississippitown #grenwoodregion #greenwoodmississippi