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VisionWorks' Breakthrough Solutions Partners and Core Steering Committee

List of Partners:

VisionWorks is a program of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service with partners in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. The partners are a critical component of this program, allowing communities to avail themselves of the breadth of resources offered. The partners share the goal of helping communities create their futures and of helping them to prosper in the 21st century global economy. Eighteen organizations partner with Extension, offering services, funding, and resources to this program. They include:

	Arkansas Community Foundation A philanthropic organization formed to create and manage endowment funds for the common good, to support the development of local community foundations, to make grants, and to provide leadership for nonprofits and for collaborative efforts focused on important issues in the state. For more information, contact plile@arcf.org.
	Arkansas Department of Economic Development The Arkansas Department of Economic Development works to expand the economy of the state of Arkansas through the creation of diverse economic opportunities for all Arkansans. For more information call 501-682-1121.
	Arkansas Electric Cooperatives The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas play an active role in the community and economic development of our state. By maintaining a low cost and abundant power supply backed by an active infrastructure enhancement and business recruitment program, the cooperatives plan to keep Arkansas a vital, powerful economic opportunity for your company. For more information on economic development efforts, go to www.aecc.com/economic-development.
	Arkansas Geographic Information Services The Arkansas Geographic Information Office (AGIO) was created to educate the public and to provide information regarding land and mapping data resources to various entities throughout the state. We, the AGIO, complete state and federal spatial data projects and work in conjunction with the Arkansas State Land Information Board (ASLIB). The AGIO is organized under the Arkansas Executive Chief Information Officer. For more information, go to www.gis.state.ar.us or contact Shelby Johnson, Shelby.johnson@arkansas.gov.
	Arkansas Farm Bureau An independent nongovernmental, voluntary organization of farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing their problems and formulating action to achieve educational improvement, economic opportunity, and social advancement. For more information, contact Ken Tillman - kentillman@arfb.com.
	Arkansas Human Development Corporation A nonprofit corporation that provides a wide variety of services to disadvantaged farm workers and other citizens, seeking to improve the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities through collaborative initiatives. For more information, contact Clevon Young -cyoung@arhdc.org.
	Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas Sister organizations committed to the continual enhancement of the economic climate of Arkansas.
	Arkansas Science and Technology Authority (ASTA) The Arkansas Science & Technology Authority (the Authority) was created by statute in 1983 with the mission to bring the benefits of science and advanced technology to the people and state of Arkansas. This mission is addressed by strategies to promote scientific research, technology development, business innovation, and math, science and engineering education. For more information, go to http://www.asta.arkansas.gov/communities.html
	CenturyTel CenturyTel, Inc. provides communication services including local exchange, wireless, long distance, Internet access and security monitoring. For more information contact JeffJones@centurytel.com.
	Delta Center for Economic Development Arkansas State University A center dedicated to assisting business and industries in northeast Arkansas. The Center also assists communities, carries out economic development programs, and serves as a liaison with the resources of the university. For more information, contact Jerry Smith – jerrys@sioux.astate.edu.
	Hubbell and Associates A consulting firm that provides research, strategic planning, facilitation, design, and project development services for a client base that includes city governments, state agencies, private foundations, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. For more information, contact Ken Hubbell – khubbell@khubbell.com.
	National Park Community College A two year education institution providing a wide array of educational opportunities for citizens of Garland County. For more information contact Mike Burris – mburris@npcc.edu.
	SBC Arkansas A private sector provider of telecommunications services in Arkansas and provider of several community and economic development initiatives.
	Teamwork Arkansas Entergy’s Office of Economic Development Teamwork Arkansas is one of the largest private-sector economic development initiatives in the country. Teamwork Arkansas partners with communities to create wealth and raise the standard of living for the citizens of Arkansas by providing professional and resourceful expertise in business recruitment, marketing, planning and research.
	University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Global Marketing Support Services A University of Arkansas Center that provides global marketing awareness, education, research analysis, and technical assistance to help small businesses become involved in global marketing, utilizing the latest information technology. For more information, contact Preston LaFerney – laferney@comp.uark.edu.
	UALR Institute for Economic Advancement An academic institute dedicated to support the economic advancement of Arkansas through providing information, research and training for businesses, governmental units, nonprofit organizations, and private individuals throughout the state. For more information, contact Terre McLendon - tamclendon@ualr.edu.
	UALR Institute of Government An institute formed to provide teaching, research, and public service in public administration, survey research, volunteer management, and local government education for elected officials, policy makers, and citizens in Arkansas. For more information, contact Roby Robertson – rrobertson@ualr.edu.
	UALR Arkansas Small Business Development Center A statewide program, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration that provides management and technical assistance to small businesses. The services provided are individual small business consulting, training and seminars, and access to a small business research center. For more information, contact Timothy Lee – tmlee@ualr.edu.
	University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service The mission of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is to provide research-based information through non-formal education to help Arkansans improve their economic well-being. With offices in all 75 counties, our faculty and staff provide educational programs and research-based information to the people of Arkansas. We offer educational programs that have immediate and practical applications, including family health and nutrition, youth education and leadership, agriculture production, and community and economic development. Programs are provided through the University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating. For more information, contact mpeterson@uaex.edu.

Core Steering Committee

The Core Steering Committee of VisionWorks consists of partner volunteers who meet several times each year to review program development, make recommendations for program direction, and guide special projects such as the annual conference. The list of core steering committee members follows: