Conference focuses on rural development in Arkansas

Top left: AAC Legal Counsel Lindsey Bailey, AAC Executive Director Chris Villines, Polk County Judge and AAC Board Secretary/ Treasurer Brandon Ellison, Director of Arkansas Assessment Coordination Division Bear Chaney and Arkansas State Geographic Information Officer Shelby Johnson mingle.

Top right: Carrie Mcintosh and Regan Miller with White River Planning and Development District, Stone County Judge Stacey Avey and Izard County Judge Eric Smith talk.

Top right bottom: Former Hot Springs mayor and state Rep. Bob Mathis and Bruce Campbell of the Arkansas Governor’s Office enjoy the Rural Development Conference.

Middle left: Drew County Judge Robert Akin and Washington County Judge Joseph Wood attended the conference and accepted grants for their counties.

Bottom left: Pictured are Arkansas state Senators Gary Stubblefield, Linda Collins Smith and Alan Clark. Many legislators and state agency officials attended the Rural Development conference in Hot Springs.