Recorded via zoom, program coordinators Muriel Wiley (3Cs - Little River, Howard, Sevier counties), Brandon Mathews (Ozark Foothills - Izard, Fulton, and Sharp counties) and Hazelle Whited (Ozark Foothills), team up for the last time to reflect on the CREATE BRIDGES work they feel so blessed to be a part of over the last 18 months. Though CREATE BRIDGES will continue to be a part of the two regions, the program coordinator portion of the program comes to an end on November 30, 2021. 

From favorite podcasts to work that will continue forward on the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Community, Professional, and Economic Development unit website, the trio has developed a legacy of solutions that will help the four sectors of entrepreneurs so important to rural Arkansas: Retail, Accommodations, Entertainment, and Tourism. This last podcast summarizes what will continue forward and more work that could be developed to additionally help businesses.

Brandon, Murriel, and Hazelle thank our great leadership, at UADA, Julianne Dunn and Stacey McCullough, and the Regional Steering Committees (RSC) of each region, for this unique opportunity to impact businesses in a direct way. 

CREATE BRIDGES RESOURCES
uaex.uada.edu/createbridges
uaex.uada.edu/createlift

In 2017, Casper was on the centerline of the 2017 Eclipse, where 21,000 people descended for spectacular viewing of the eclipse that could be viewed over one-third of the state. In 2024, two-thirds of Arkansas will have the chance to be host to Eclipse viewers as both CREATE BRIDGES regions will be on or within miles of the centerline. What does this mean to our rural communities?

On this episode of Small Business, Big Rural Impact, Hazelle Whited takes the podcast over Zoom to Caper, Wyoming, to visit with Brook Kaufman to recap her recent visit to CREATE BRIDGES communities where she presented the “All too real truths about preparing your community for an eclipse.” In this light and casual conversation, Brook reiterates how the 2024 Great American Eclipse can be the once-in-a-lifetime tourism event for many rural Arkansas communities and shares Casper’s experiences leading up to and after the eclipse. Hazelle, in-turn, shares with Brook the immediate impact and follow-up for additional meetings her presentation sparked among communities considering a regional coordinated effort similar to the structure of the 2017 Wyoming Eclipse Festival. 

Come join us on this episode of CREATE BRIDGES, Small Business Big Rural Impact.

Brook Kaufman is the Brook is the CEO of Visit Casper, where she leads the charge to grow the local visitor economy and serves as a member of the Natrona County Commission. While she works on a variety of events year-round, one of the most memorable was the Wyoming Eclipse Festival in 2017. Through Brook's leadership, her community embraced the total solar eclipse, garnered significant media coverage, increased destination awareness and welcomed tens of thousands of travelers from around the world. 

The Eclipse data Brook mentions in this podcast can be found at https://visitcasper.com/eclipse.

CREATE BRIDGES in Arkansas – Celebrating REtail, Accommodations, Tourism and Entertainment by Building Rural Innovations and Developing Growth Strategies

Regions: Ozark Foothills (Fulton, Izard, Sharp counties) and 3Cs (Sevier, Little River, and Howard counties)

More information on CREATE BRIDGES can be found at https://uaex.uada.edu/createbridges

Program Murriel Wiley takes us back to the 3Cs (Sevier, Howard, and Little River counties) for a sit-down with guests Nelson Ramirez and Lorena Esquivel.

Lorena is a bilingual business owner who recently started a translation services company, and she also helps translate on the radio and for local businesses. She spends her time helping with food pantries and community services with her church, Iglesia el Centro Cristiano de De Queen and is a mother of 4.  Nelson is a father and the manager of cricket wireless, and his family owned a local restaurant called “La Chiquita” in De Queen for more than 20 years. He also serves as a member of The Sevier Chamber of Commerce, works as a property Developer and rental house owner, and he is founding member of a local non-profit group called The Minority Affairs Council.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, we are highlighting the Spanish-speaking business owners of Sevier County and discussing all the contributions they have made to our community.