Rural America is vast and undefined—a land of corn and soybeans, John Deere, Andy Griffith, and romantic notions of the past. In the last century, a great migration of Americans left the family farm for better-paying jobs in urban communities where industrialization offered a higher standard of living. Continued mechanization of farming reduced job opportunities for rural workers. Fields once farmed by 100 workers are now farmed by one. Foreign competition ensures low commodities pricing while the cost of diesel fuel and fertilizer skyrocket. Somewhere in all of this change, people gave up and the family farm disappeared, taking with it the underlying reason for rural America to exist. Businesses closed, banks sold, churches boarded up, and buildings were abandoned. Rural America changed from a land of family farms and related businesses to a “fly-over zone.”

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in partnership with Philander Smith College and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to host an educational symposium “Speaking the Truth on Social Issues and Politics in the 21st Century” on Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25, 2009 at Philander Smith College in the Harry R. Kendall Science and Health Mission Center located at One Trudie Kibbe Reed Dr. in Little Rock. There is no fee for the conference, but reservations are required by September 15th. Registration forms are available at www.nps.gov/chsc.

At the Council on Foundations Rural Philanthropy Conference, held in Little Rock Arkansas July 13-15, rural mission investing was a topic integrated both into an economic development track and we also had a breakfast on the topic that drew 25 people at 7:30 in the morning (it was already hot). Founder’s Circle Member Annie E. Casey, and new Leader’s Circle member Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation spoke about their experiences in using MRIs and PRIs in rural areas (Maine and Arkansas were featured examples), in vehicles ranging from CDFI lending institutions to venture capital.

Admission rates for the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, Oct. 8-10, have been cut in half, Munnie Jordan, the festival executive director, announced Thursday.

Carrier discusses rail option for Clark County Industrial Park

During a special meeting Tuesday, the Economic Development Corp. of Clark County voted unanimously to fund Danfoss-Scroll Technologies $14,900 for two operational training sessions with more funding possible at a later date.

Southern Bancorp presented Henderson State University’s Small Business and Technology Development Center with a $10,000 contribution to provide FastTrac Training to entrepreneu

BISMARCK – Do you have a hankering to do a little fishing? Get to DeGray Lake Resort State Park on Saturday, Sept. 12, and you may win a prize as well as having some fun. The Hook, Line, and Sinker Fishing Derby at DeGray Park will be at Pond 7 on the DeGray Lake Golf...

Arkadelphia, Ark. –

Clark County has a wealth of resources — leaders just need to capitalize on them.

This was the topic of discussion among members of the Clark County Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which met Tuesday at noon in the community center of The Gardens, Arkadelphia’s new retirement housing subdivision.

Angie Rios, a consultant who performed a county-wide housing market study for the Plan, told members that “You already know what you need, you just need someone to tell you.”

Leadership Clark County, a program of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance, announced participants selected for Class II.

The program, which is in its second year, received over 45 applications for 25 available slots.

Leadership Clark County is aimed at creating local leadership as well as encouraging and supporting the character and heritage of Clark County. Class members will take part in a Kick-off Retreat on Sept. 9-10 at Camp Winnamocka.

A Business After Hours, hosted by Southern Bancorp to welcome Teach for America Corp Members, will be held Thursday, Sept. 3 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 502 Cherry St. in Helena.