Economic Development
TECHNOLOGY New Tech Jobs 2015 got off to an exciting start. In January, three technology companies announced plans to locate new facilities in Conway. Metova Inc., a mobile app development company; Big Cloud Analytics, a predictive analytics software company; and Eyenalyze, a Conwaybased company that has developed innovative software for use in the food service sector, will invest a combined $2.5 million and create 140 new jobs. Data District At the Chamber’s 2015 Annual Meeting, Conway Corporation announced the launch of gigabit Internet service. Conway’s Data District provides Internet services up to one gigabit to businesses located within the district. The service became available in the spring to businesses within a seven-block area and will eventually cover 18 blocks in downtown Conway. MyAcxiomPartner The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Acxiom to provide affordable marketing solutions to local businesses. MyAcxiomPartner is an easy-to-use, self-service portal that gives small-to-medium business owners and marketers access to precise data to target ideal customers.
Cadron Creek Capital Fifty-five years ago, a group of 77 Conway business leaders pledged $32,000 to form the Conway Development Corporation and develop Conway’s first industrial park. More than a generation of jobs followed that strategic investment. Fast forward to 2015. A group of 55 area investors raise more than $1.5 million to create Conway’s first venture capital fund. Cadron Creek Capital was founded by Jeff Standridge, David Grimes, and Kenny Kinley. The funds mission is threefold: 1. generate return for investors 2. elevate the overall investment acumen in the community 3. create local jobs by encouraging start-ups to settle in the area Since their formation in April of 2015, Cadron Creek Capital has already invested in a number of early-stage companies as they prepare the next generation of Conway jobs.
The Conway Area Chamber was a pilot chamber of commerce for MyAcxiomPartner. In August, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives inked an exclusive deal with MyAcxiomPartner, giving 1,300 ACCE members and 1.3 million small-to-medium businesses across the U.S. access to marketing capabilities previously available only to Fortune 500 companies.
Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
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