UACCM offers training, pathway to bachelor’s degree for career seekers, transfer students

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Conway Downtown Partnership Annual Meeting and Luncheon set for Oct. 10 Tickets are on sale now for the Conway Downtown Partnership’s Annual Meeting & Luncheon, to be held Thursday, Oct. 10, starting at 11:30 a.m. The Annual Meeting will take place in Worsham Hall, located in the Student Life and Technology Center on the campus of Hendrix College, the host sponsor for the event.

Presented by Garver, the Conway Downtown Partnership’s Annual Meeting is a celebration of the creative vision of downtown property owners and developers; the determined spirit of longtime businesses, restaurants, and cultural institution leaders; and the passionate entrepreneurs who have driven growth in downtown Conway.

The luncheon has become known for significant economic development announcements in downtown Conway, an award presentation, and a keynote speaker. Garver owner and project manager Dustin Tackett will provide an update on the Markham Street project, including project features, a preview of investment opportunities, and a timeline for completion. The Downtown Award of Distinction will be presented to an individual and/or organization for their contributions to downtown Conway. And the keynote speaker will address community building.

Sponsored by My HR Professionals, the keynote speaker for this year’s luncheon is Randy Wilson, architect and founder of Columbia, South Carolina-based Community Design Solutions. Wilson established Community Design Solutions in 2005 as a communitybased planning firm devoted to delivering creative design services for community building.

While serving as the architect for South Carolina’s Main Street program, Wilson provided technical design assistance on thousands of downtown buildings and facades. He has been a part of more than 250 charettes – on-site design workshops that engage the public in an intensive, interactive planning process – ranging from studying downtown master plans, to gateway and corridor studies, to marketing and community identity creation, to economic development strategies.

Wilson’s work has taken him to almost every city and town in the

state of South Carolina as well as diverse destinations such as Macon, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; Concord, New Hampshire; Anoka, Minnesota; Gulfport, Mississippi; the Arkansas Delta; and the Island of Dominica.

For tickets and sponsorship information, contact Conway Downtown Partnership executive director Kim Williams at 501-932-5407 or kim@ conwayarkansas.org. Tickets and table sponsorships can be purchased online by visiting conwaychamber.org and selecting “Conway Downtown Partnership Annual Meeting & Luncheon” from the list of upcoming events.

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SEPTEMBER 2019

Presentation topics announced for 2019 Conway Business Expo The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo, presented

by Cousins’ Office Furniture and Ozark Escape, is a business-to-business trade show that includes breakfast and lunch presentations, informative “how to” sessions, and Taste of Conway. The 2019 Business Expo will take place Thursday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Conway Expo Center and Fairgrounds.

More than 120 booth spaces showcasing a wide variety of business services will participate in this business-to-business networking event, the goal of which is to ultimately increase sales and sales leads for exhibitors and introduce attendees to a variety of business services in the area.

Admission to Business Expo is free to the public. The event includes several informative sessions and ticketed presentations during breakfast and lunch that are open to both exhibitors and the public.

Educational Presentations and Informative Sessions More than 200 representatives from Conway’s business community attend the Business Expo Breakfast, sponsored

by Conway Corporation and Rogers Group. This year’s breakfast takes a look at recently completed and upcoming street and highway projects in Conway, Faulkner County, and across the state of Arkansas. Finley Vinson of the City of Conway, Faulkner County Judge Jim Baker, and Scott Bennett of the Arkansas Department of Transportation will be the guest speakers.

Lunch is sponsored by Moix Etc. and Today’s Office and will also feature a

presentation. The topic will be announced soon; check conwaychamber.org for updates. Tickets to breakfast and lunch are $10 each.

In addition to the breakfast and lunch presentations, informative sessions will take place at Business Expo. The cost to attend each hourlong session is $25 for one session or $40 for two. The times and topics for the confirmed sessions are as follows: Business and Personal Saving, sponsored by Sam’s Club This session, co-hosted by the Conductor and Sam’s Club, will help attendees with practical advice on how to save money. The session will concentrate mostly on savings for businesses but will also share good tips for personal saving.

10X Growth for Nonprofits, sponsored by the Conductor The Conductor’s 10X Growth Accelerator delivers assistance to Arkansas businesses, helping them grow beyond their current model. The program has helped drive

Scott Bennett of the Arkansas Department of Transportation updates Business Expo exhibitors and attendees about the status of highway projects affecting Conway and Faulkner County during the 2018 Business Expo.

revenue and create new jobs within the state. This session will tailor the teachings from the 10X Growth Accelerator to the nonprofit community, helping them realize their full potential.

Cybersecurity: The Threat to Small Business, sponsored by First Arkansas Bank and Trust The Internet allows business of all sizes to reach new and larger markets and provides opportunities to work more efficiently by using computer-based tools.

But with these advances in technology comes risk. This panel discussion will feature IT professionals who will share current and emerging cyber security challenges that face small businesses, how to drive solutions, and how to prevent a possible attack.

Taste of Conway With more than 25 participating restaurants and over 500 people in attendance, Taste of Conway caps off the day by giving the community the chance to sample some of the best food Conway has to offer. Restaurants, caterers, and other food service providers that are members of the Chamber are eligible to participate in Taste of Conway at no cost. Taste of Conway tickets are $15 for attendees.

Tickets for the informative sessions, breakfast, lunch, and Taste of Conway can be purchased online at ConwayChamber.org. For more information about Business Expo and Taste of Conway, visit conwaychamber.org or contact Mary Margaret Satterfield at mary@conwayarkansas.org or 501-932-5412.

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Summit on rural workforce development to take place in Morrilton The Rural Workforce Development Southern Region Summit will take place Oct. 2-4 in Morrilton. The summit is a convening for rural partners to share solutions to complex issues, identify available resources, and increase access to workforce opportunities.

Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, located at 1 Rockefeller Drive atop Petit Jean Mountain, will host the conference on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and Thursday, Oct. 3. The final day of the conference on Friday, Oct. 4, will be at the Workforce Training Center at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, located at 1537 University Boulevard.

Topics to be addressed at the summit will include many of the following workforce development interests: use of labor market and data to drive strategies; public-private collaboration to attract employers and define workforce requirements; workforce readiness and training; apprenticeship and job placements; recruitment and retention; sector-based best practices related to workforce (i.e. veterans, telecommunications, water, manufacturing, health care, etc.); and succession planning, including strategies such as worker cooperatives.

Attendees will represent industry, education, municipal, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and training facilitators, among other workforce development professionals.

To register for the Rural Workforce Development Southern Region Summit, visit rockefellerinstitute.org.

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Arvest Bank’s Jim Cargill headlines September CEO Luncheon Jim Cargill, president and CEO of Arvest Bank’s central Arkansas market, was the featured guest at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly CEO Luncheon on Tuesday, Sept.

10. A native of Lewisville, Arkansas, Cargill is a fourth-generation banker who began his career working with his grandfather, who was president of the family-owned First National Bank in Lewisville. Jim Cargill is pictured here with his wife, Kathleen.

The 2019 CEO Luncheon series is presented by Nabholz Construction Corporation and hosted

by Central Baptist College. Lean Feast was the sponsor for this quarter’s speaker.

Conway Area Chamber Membership Maximizer Scheduled for September 24 Representatives of businesses that are members of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce are invited to attend a Membership Maximizer on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chamber, located at 900 Oak Street in downtown Conway.

During a Membership Maximizer, chief operating officer Ed Linck provides an overview of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s history and mission as well as an explanation of member benefits and programs. The informal setting gives attendees an opportunity to network and ask questions over a catered lunch sponsored by Sam’s Club.

Linck said the luncheon is ideal for employees of businesses new to the

Chamber and new employees who work for current Chamber-member businesses.

“Membership Maximizers give our members a glimpse into the workings of the Chamber and information about how they can get the most out of their membership,” Linck said. “These events are a great way to kick-start a new member’s involvement in the Chamber, and ultimately, the Conway business community.”

There is no cost to attend a Membership Maximizer, but reservations are required. Email Ed Linck at Ed@ConwayArkansas.org or call 501-932-5404 by Monday, Sept. 23, to reserve a place.

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UACCM offers specialized training, pathway to bachelor’s degree for career seekers, transfer students Since its founding in 1963, the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton has been a pioneer for technical and academic education and making college affordable.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, UACCM started as an adult vocational-technical school that trained in 13 skilled trades. Today there are 32 degrees and certificate programs, making up a vibrant community of students majoring in technical/ professional/health fields, general education, and liberal arts. Students come from around the region to attend UACCM, thanks to the college’s geographic location in the center of the state and close proximity to cities such as Conway, Russellville, and Clinton.

Forty-two percent of UACCM’s enrollment is comprised of Faulkner County residents. UACCM is the sixth largest two-year college in the state, and since its merger with the University of Arkansas System in 2001, enrollment has increased from 1,290 students to approximately 1900 students today.

In many ways, UACCM offers distinctive benefits for individuals who want to start a profession or retrain for a new career. In today’s economy, many career fields need specialized training for the workforce, and UACCM meets those demands. The college plays a unique role in the region’s realm of higher education.

Interest in the technical, professional, and health programs continues to grow as many business and industrial sectors are facing a shortage of workers due to an aging workforce and the demand for increased technological skills.

UACCM offers one of only two surveying programs in the state. The early childhood development program meets the growing demands of childcare. And UACCM is a member of the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium that gives students a pathway to become registered nurses.

Faulkner County residents comprise 42 percent of UACCM’s enrollment.

In 2018, the 53,843-square-foot Workforce Training Center opened, a state-of-the-art facility that offers training in high-wage, high-demand occupations. The building houses several technical programs—the fields of automotive service; air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration; industrial mechanics and maintenance; and

welding. The building also features a 5,000-square-foot space for customized classes and state-of-the-art equipment ensuring students are training on the most relevant technology and methods.

Determining the direction of a program is assisted by forging partnerships.

UACCM maintains an updated curriculum by inviting businesses and industry leaders in central Arkansas to sit on advisory committees. Over 130 advisory members representing more than 100 companies provide feedback on technical programs, with many making agreements to stock laboratories with equipment.

General education and liberal arts programs give students a pathway to a bachelor’s degree. “There are several advantages to starting a bachelor’s degree at a two-year college,” said Mary Clark, director of marketing and public relations.

“First, the tuition is typically half that of the four-year university tuition rate, which allows students to complete their freshman and sophomore years with little to no debt. Second, class sizes at community colleges are usually much smaller, which allow students to get more one-on-one attention. Their instructors know their name, and the student may feel less intimidated about asking questions and engaging in class discussions.”

Students planning on attending a fouryear university can start at UACCM, stay close to home, and build a solid PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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an associate degree before transferring to a university. At UACCM, the general education students are saving money while meeting their expectations of college life and developing new or existing interests.

UACCM’s position in the University of Arkansas System offers significant benefits.

“From a marketing standpoint, the UA brand helps create awareness, strengthens Forty-two percent of UACCM’s enrollment is comprised of Faulkner County residents, including the our reputation, and students pictured in this image. Front row left to right: Kenneth (KJ) Hendrix, general education major; Samantha Gross, automotive service technology major. Back row left to right: Cain Newton, garners respect for welding major; Lakitta Grandy, business major; Alejandro (Alex) Abundis, surveying major; and Dee our high academic and Vintila, registered nursing major. training standards,” Clark said. “There foundation of their degree. A student is a trust factor in wanting to become a teacher has the recognizing a strong brand and a credibility opportunity to establish the fundamentals associated with our programs. It also opens of the classroom. Another seeking to the doors to scholarships and partnerships get a business degree can learn the core with other UA System schools.” of collaboration, accounting skills, and Clark says that the most recent example economic principles. And the college is when the University of Arkansas provides students undecided about their at Fayetteville recently introduced a future careers a place to figure it out. The new Arkansas Transfer Achievement office of Student Development offers Scholarship program. It reduces tuition career planning, student readiness, and rates for students who graduate from counseling services to promote student UACCM with an Associate of Arts or success.

Associate of Science degree. Once they Due to the rise of student debt graduate with at least a cumulative 2.0 nationwide, more Americans are choosing GPA and transfer to the University of community college as a home to obtain Arkansas and pursue a bachelor’s degree,

“From a marketing standpoint, the UA brand helps create awareness, strengthens our reputation, and garners respect for our high academic and training standards.”

—Mary Clark

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they continue to pay the basic tuition rate of UACCM. Ultimately, students can save thousands of dollars in tuition costs.

To simplify the transferring process, the college has 2+2 agreements with the state’s four-year universities. “A statewide articulation agreement between Arkansas public colleges and universities helps ensure transferability of general education courses,” Clark said.

“UACCM has well over 100 degreespecific 2 + 2 plans with the state universities, which map out a catered degree audit for the student planning to transfer into a specific bachelor’s degree. The 2+2 plans allow for an extremely smooth transfer to the student’s selected university,” Clark said. These agreements include a courseby-course list of the classes.

Maintaining close ties with four-year universities is important for the college.

In 2018, UACCM and the University of Central Arkansas established the UCA Bear Partnership, which gives UACCM students who are participating in a UCA 2+2 degree plan the opportunity to participate in UCA’s campus activities, access to academic resources, and eligibility for a Bear Partners transfer scholarship.

While UACCM strives to prepare a highly-qualified workforce and close the skills gap through its degree and certificate programs, another priority is providing educational opportunities through the college’s Department of Workforce Development and Community Education. This includes a four-week commercial driver training program that runs continuously throughout the year and leadership academy classes, as well as self-improvement classes. And UACCM’s Adult Education program offers basic skills education and GED classes at its four center locations, including Conway.

For more information, go to uaccm.edu.

North Metro Economy at a Glance Population US ..........................325,719,178 Arkansas ....................3,004,279 Conway ...........................65,782 Cleburne County...............25,048 Conway County................20,916 Faulkner County.............123,654 Perry County....................10,348 Van Buren County.............16,506 Civilian Labor Force June-2019 Seasonally Adjusted US ..........................162,646,000 Arkansas ....................1,362,757 Not Seasonally Adjusted US ...................... 162,655,000 Arkansas.............

1,382,212 Conway................

34,283 Cleburne County ...

9,520 Conway County ....

8,388 Faulkner County ..

62,808 Perry County .........

4,344 Van Buren County .

5,884 Unemployment Rate June-2019 Seasonally Adjusted US ..................................... 3.7% Arkansas ........................... 3.5% Not Seasonally Adjusted US ..................................... 3.8% Arkansas............................ 3.6% Conway.............................. 3.0% Cleburne County ................ 4.1% Conway County ................. 4.6% Faulkner County ................ 3.0% Perry County ...................... 4.1% Van Buren County .............. 4.6%

Bank Deposits June Conway 2018........................... $1,827,728 2017............................$1,686,727 Percent Change .................8.36%

Percent Change...............-2.18% Tax Rate ......................... 1.625% Conway County 2019.............................$467,777 2018.............................$457,869 Percent Change................ 2.16% Tax Rate ........................... 1.75%

Cleburne County 2018...............................$554,248 Faulkner County 2017...............................$524,244 2019.............................$858,660 Percent Change .................5.72% 2018.............................$864,597 Percent Change...............-0.69% Conway County Tax Rate ........................... 0.50% 2018...............................$358,473 2017...............................$382,665 Perry County Percent Change ............... -6.32% 2019.............................$126,601 Faulkner County 2018.............................$135,468 2018............................$2,192,595 Percent Change...............-6.55% 2017............................$2,052,122 Tax Rate ........................... 2.50% Percent Change .................6.85% Van Buren County Perry County 2019.............................$440,578 2018.................................$72,986 2018.............................$397,226 2017.................................$71,596 Percent Change.............-10.90% Percent Change .................1.94% Tax Rate ........................... 2.00% Van Buren County Restaurant Sales* 2018...............................$276,171 Year to Date (July) 2017...............................$277,646 Percent Change ............... -0.53% Conway 2019......................$122,579,249 Sales & Use Tax Collections 2018......................$116,917,858 Percent Change................ 4.84% August *Includes mixed drink sales Conway 2019...........................$2,885,082 Hotel Sales 2018...........................$2,811,985 Year to Date (July) Percent Change................. 2.60% Tax Rate .......................... 2.125% Conway 2019........................$10,850,223 2018........................$11,174,034 Cleburne County 2019.............................$556,905 Percent Change...............-2.90% 2018.............................$569,313

Residential Building Permits Year to Date (August) Conway 2019......................................208 2018......................................120 Percent Change.............. 73.33%

Values of Residential Units Sold** Year to Date (August) Conway 2019......................$101,798,983 2018......................$103,295,174 Percent Change ..............-1.45%

Residential Units Sold** (New and Existing) Year to Date (August) Conway 2019......................................515 2018......................................545 Percent Change ..............-5.50%

Year to Date (May) Cleburne County 2019........................$23,770,450 2018........................$20,758,198 Percent Change .............14.51%

Year to Date (May) Cleburne County 2019......................................160 2018......................................160 Percent Change ............... 0.00% Conway County 2019........................................71 2018........................................49 Percent Change ............. 44.90% Faulkner County 2019......................................627 2018......................................646 Percent Change ..............-2.94% Perry County 2019........................................22 2018........................................30 Percent Change ............-26.67% Van Buren County 2019........................................95 2018........................................97 Percent Change ..............-2.06%

Conway County 2019..........................$8,401,501 2018..........................$5,465,313 Percent Change ............. 53.72% Faulkner County 2019......................$113,500,167 2018......................$112,349,090 Percent Change ............... 1.02% Perry County 2019..........................$2,547,886 2018..........................$4,289,670 Percent Change ............-40.60% Van Buren County 2019........................$10,627,555 2018..........................$9,671,482 Percent Change ............... 9.89% Average Price of Residential Units Sold** (New and Existing) Year to Date (August) Conway 2019.............................$198,150 2018.............................$189,532 Percent Change .................4.50% **Includes sales of residential units

Year to Date (May) Cleburne County 2019.............................$191,874 2018.............................$178,034 Percent Change ............... 7.77% Conway County 2019...............................$80,778 2018.............................$109,425 Percent Change ............-26.18% Faulkner County 2019.............................$192,903 2018.............................$178,554 Percent Change................ 8.04% Perry County 2019...............................$50,000 2018.............................$132,559 Percent Change ............-62.28% Van Buren County 2019.............................$149,606 2018...............................$83,116 Percent Change ............. 80.00%

Proud sponsor of Pulse of Conway Sources: 2012-2016 ACS 5-Year Data Profiles, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, C2ER, Sperling’s Best Places, Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Cooperative Arkansas Realtors’ Multiple Listing Services, Arkansas Realtors Association, and City of Conway. **Includes sales of residential units only.

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State Chamber to host Door-To-Door Meeting in Conway The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas is hosting a Door-To-Door meeting in Conway on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.

Lunch begins at 11:30, and the program will conclude by 1 p.m.

Door-To-Door meetings take place in cities across the state and address key issues that impact business in Arkansas, including the competitiveness of Arkansas’s business climate, the State Chamber/AIA’s legislative progress during the 2019 General Session, and pending issues. Business owners, community leaders, local government officials, and anyone with a vested interest in business, taxes, government, and related topics is encouraged to attend.

The events also feature the presentation of the 2019 Business Matters Leadership Awards recognizing state legislators who supported positive business initiatives during the 92nd General Assembly.

Lunch and the program are free, but reservations are required. Please RSVP in advance to ARStateChamber@ arkansasstatechamber.com. Include the date of the meeting and “Conway” in the subject line.

About the Arkansas State Chamber / Associated Industries of Arkansas The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce / Associated Industries of Arkansas is the leading voice for

business at the state capitol and serves as the primary business advocate on all issues affecting Arkansas employers. Its mission is to promote a pro-business, freeenterprise agenda and prevent

anti-business legislation, regulations, and rules.

For more information about the State Chamber / AIA, visit arkansasstatechamber.com.

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