2016 ANNUAL REPORT 150 YEARS of SERVICE BUILDING the LITTLE ROCK REGION Heinze Confectionery, Little Rock, 1895
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2016 ANNUAL REPORT 150 YEARS OF SERVICE BUILDING THE LITTLE ROCK REGION Heinze Confectionery, Little Rock, 1895 Main Street, Little Rock, 1920 River Market opens, 1996 Main Street, Little Rock, 1905 Downtown Little Rock with bridges, 1950 Summary For the period January 1 - November 30, 2016 735 New Jobs $25,609,200 New Payroll $43,854,000 New Capital Investment 98 Stock in The Rock Investors 1.113 Renewed Members 289 New Members 142 Financial Sponsors 120 In-kind Sponsors 3,788 Like us on Facebook 6,171 Followers on Twitter Downtown Little Rock, 1975 70 Ribbon Cuttings/Groundbreakings 2,238 Leads Group Exchanges $1,074,818 Leads Group Business Received Inside 4 In Your Words: Member Testimonials 5 Chamber Staff 6 From the Chairman 7 Leadership 8 Stock in the Rock 10 MetRock Now 12 Economic Development 14 Workforce Development River Market opens, 1996 15 Advocacy 16 Small Business and Diversity 20 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programming 22 Chamber Groups 28 Chamber Events 34 Member Investment 35 Member Groups Little Rock Tech Park, opening 2017 38 Chamber Membership 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 3 IN YOUR WORDS OUR MEMBERS SAY IT BEST There’s a saying in our industry, “If you’ve seen one chamber, you’ve seen one chamber.” Our scope of work reflects the needs of our region and our chamber member businesses. At the direction of the board and executive committee, and with the support of our members, we carry out a mission that focuses on economic development, advocacy, and member services. The Little Rock Regional Chamber is committed to providing the highest level return on member investment and each member’s experience is unique. Our efforts and our value are best outlined by members like you, in your own words. As a working mom turned entrepreneur, I needed to quickly build When I started my career over again with First Security Bank a little up my customer base and to see a return on every expense I over a year ago, all of my business contacts were national. committed. Within six months of joining, my membership Ribbon cuttings and Business After Hours events investment had been covered. Participation in chamber allow me the pleasure of working alongside other “groups had expanded my network and helped me reach some “ambassadors, building great local relationships, and stretch goals for my business. being a resource to the business community our bank serves! Alex Haygood, Owner/Stylist Andrea Hogan Lewis, Studio ALX First Security Bank We all have a business to run” Membership brings opportunities” with bills to pay and customers for organizational growth and to serve. We are busy looking community awareness. We’re a Positive mojo, palpable energy, and amazing relationships: after our own small business non-profit, but we still have the the chamber experience has built the foundation of my world in “worlds each day. “business needs of a corporation. The chamber looks after development. Every single person in my Leads Group has We maximize our member- supported me personally and professionally, in one way the collective world of ship by being involved and “or another, and that support has been reciprocated. the Little Rock region in touch. The more involved Steve Biernacki, Development Director so we can all grow our you are, the more you learn and Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas businesses. the more you benefit. Gary Smith, President ” Paulette Nieuwenhof, Glass Erectors Executive Director Arkansas Blood Institute, ” ”Little Rock The chamber connects me to both like-minded professionals, as well as individuals of different backgrounds and life experience Engagement in the chamber’s leadership program helps partici- than I have had. My membership has provided an avenue to get pants create and cultivate deep, diverse relationships involved with groups that ideate and act on issues affecting our that probably wouldn’t happen otherwise. At the same time, this “region. It’s helped me leverage my skills and passion; it’s experience increases pride in and connection to our shared city allowed me to have a greater impact in our community.“and community. Elston Forte, Executive Director Frank D. Scott, Jr., Young Intellectual Active Minds (Y.I.AM) First Security Bank 4 LITTLE ROCK REGIONAL CHAMBER ” ” 3 chamber STAFF 2 6 1 5 7 8 4 11 10 9 15 13 12 14 Jay Chesshir, CCE* ** [ 1 ] Judy Love* [ 12 ] Halle Erwin [ 14 ] President & CEO Director, Administration Executive Assistant to the President 501.377.6002 501.377.6004 & CEO; Facilities & Meetings [email protected] [email protected] Manager 501.377.6010 Graham Cobb [ 15 ] Janie Wayne [ 9 ] [email protected] Chief Operating Officer Director, Finance 501.377.6007 501.377.6009 Dutch King [ 2 ] [email protected] [email protected] Member Development Director 501.377.6021 Paul Latture, CCE, CED* ** [ 6 ] Kristi Barr** [ 3 ] [email protected] Vice President, Economic Director, Business Retention & Development; Executive Director, Expansion Amber Pawloski [ 4 ] Metro Little Rock Alliance 501.377.6017 Member Development Director 501.377.6006 [email protected] 501.377.6026 [email protected] [email protected] Kathy Perez* [ 7 ] Buckley O’Mell [ 11 ] Manager, Member Events and Amy Longo [ 8 ] Vice President, Advocacy Programs Receptionist (1st Floor) 501.377.6005 501.377.6016 501.377.6028 CCE Certified Chamber Executive [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] CED Certified Economic Developer Angela Sanchez [ 13 ] Melinda Moody [ 5 ] Susan Miller [ 10 ] * Graduate, Institute for Vice President, Communications Director, Membership Relations Receptionist (2nd Floor) Organization Management 501.377.6003 501.377.6012 501.374.2001 ** Graduate, University of Oklahoma [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Economic Development Institute 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 5 From the chairman I loved what I saw and experienced in 2016 volunteering and leading the Little Rock Regional Chamber. As I spent more time away from the bubble of my own business, I became acutely aware of how thousands of energetic people interact daily throughout this region to fuel a vibrant economy and achieve amazing results. From Conway to Cabot to the core of downtown Little Rock, I saw relationships built, transactions completed, and victories cele- brated as we all fulfilled our unique roles in the fascinating organism known as the Little Rock regional economy. I’m thankful to live and work here, where individuals and organizations have an attitude of cooperation and a tendency to say “yes” whenever possible. I saw an established and successful business say yes to youthful entrepreneurship when global leaders FIS provided a major commitment of money, time, people, expertise, and guidance to The Venture Center, forming the exciting VC FinTech Accelerator. The Demo Day in August was an energizing display of bright ideas and carefully-crafted business plans attracting serious venture capital, as well an FIS announcement to do it again in 2017. I saw our traditional education system creatively address an important need by forming the North Little Rock Center Jeff Hathaway of Excellence, where students can choose a curriculum path that prepares them for immediate success via direct Coldwell Banker entry to the workforce as an alternative to college. Commercial Hathaway Group I saw thousands of fans scream a loud “YES!” of community support for the Little Rock Trojans basketball team in the crucial home stretch of a magical 30-win season. This “Pack the Jack” effort that filled the arena for three late Febru- ary home games was a great example of how people here will come together with gusto to support local success. I was fascinated by the thoughtful debate surrounding our major infrastructure projects. State and city officials, plan- ning agencies, business interests, and interested citizens have all worked together, often passionately with compet- ing viewpoints, but always recognizing the importance of compromise. We now see the new Broadway Bridge taking shape, a product of such compromise. And 2016 was sometimes dominated by clashing views of how 30 Crossing should look and function. Nothing is finalized, but AHTD’s current plan for the I-30 Bridge is vastly different than the original, all because our citizens cared enough to participate in a sometimes messy but productive planning process. Our Technology Park found its first tenants. Our Port Authority has begun acquiring expansion land. We have a regional headquarters for Sprint, a new maintenance center for Envoy Air, and a recently announced facility that will manufacture athletic apparel. Our county school district has returned to local control with an elected board. All these things happen when cooperation surpasses conflict and “yes” is the default answer to questions and challenges. Are we finished? Can we rest? Absolutely not. Our future will only be bright if we keep working together on significant challenges. We must find better ways to enhance public safety and reduce criminal activity, take the long view in creating sites with appropriate infrastructure to put our region on the short lists of the best employers, and keep supporting our schools and those special individuals who lead our districts and teach our children. After this year as your chairman, I am confident that our community will meet these challenges. I’ve seen how we cooperate while we debate, how we listen to those with whom we disagree, and how so many of us will step up without hesitation and go to work solving problems that impact our quality of life. Thanks to you – the people of the Little Rock region – we had a great year, and we will have many more! All the best, Jeff Hathaway Chairman, Board of Directors 6 LITTLE ROCK REGIONAL CHAMBER leadership Officers Senior Council Kevin Huchingson Gretchen Hall (Past Chairmen) Colliers International Chief Executive Officer, Little Rock Chairman Convention & Visitors Bureau Jeff Hathaway 2015 Robin Miller Coldwell Banker Commercial Van Tilbury Coldwell Banker RPM Dr.