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Center for Economic Development Grand Opening April 27
Written By: Rachel Putman
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Center for Economic Development will host a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 10 a.m., at the Bakery District.
“It's an exciting time for the grand opening of the Center for Economic Development,” said Kendall Ross, director of the Center for Business and Professional Development. “Currently, we are offering leadership classes (Grit, Focus, Elevate, and Platinum) that center on upskilling people who are in leadership positions or people who aspire to be. Topics include communication, performance management, HR compliance, coaching, project management, strategic planning, goal setting, and time management,” he said. “In addition, we are teaching multiple levels of Excel 365, and in April we began our Lean Six Sigma series, which will continue monthly.” The center officially opened its newly renovated space in January of 2022 and has since provided solutions for more than 250 individuals and 23 different organizations in the Bakery District.
The grand opening celebration will feature guest speakers, Dr. Terisa Riley, UAFS Chancellor; Michael Barr, chair of the UAFS Board of Visitors; Dr. Latisha Settlage, dean of the College of Business and Industry; and Bill Hanna, secretary of the UAFS Foundation Board.
Governor Asa Hutchinson will be in attendance as an honored guest.
The Center for Economic Development aims to serve the River Valley as a destination for workforce and personal training, planning, and advising. Three distinct offices, the Center for Business and Professional Development, Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, and the Family Enterprise Center provide business professionals with the resources and experienced partners they need to help advance their businesses and their careers.
The Center for Business and Professional Development delivers customized training and consulting services to meet individual or company goals. The Family Enterprise Center offers family businesses a learning community to meet the unique needs of the family business. Members have access to workshops, quarterly breakfast meetings, and peer groups. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center helps with every aspect of business creation, management, and operation for new and seasoned entrepreneurs. Clients receive confidential consulting and market research at no charge.
To learn more about the Center for Economic Development.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, April 28 8:30-9:30 a.m.
An Overview of QuickBooks
ASBTDC at The Bakery District
Sponsored by Landmark CPAs
This free one-hour workshop will show you the ways QuickBooks can be used to support your business.
Register at: (Session Closed)
Thursday, April 28, 5:30 p.m.
Women's Small Business Panel
ASBTDC at The Bakery District
Sponsored by BancorpSouth
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), based at UAFS, is presenting a panel discussion featuring female business owners and support resources from The River Valley who will share their experience and expertise.
Register at: (Session Closed)
Tuesdays May 3, 10, and 17, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Lean Six Sigma - Yellow Belt Certification ($359)
Center for Business & Professional Development at The Bakery District
You will learn to improve productivity and processes through this foundational Lean Six Sigma training. This course will cover key tools and concepts such as the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) methodology, data collection and measurement techniques, how to display visual data, lean analysis tools (including fishbone diagram, 5 Whys, 5s/6s, Poka-Yoke), brainstorming, process improvement results assessment, documentation, and introduction to Lean leadership and Lean culture.
Wednesdays, May 4-25, 8 a.m. to noon
GRIT: Workplace Leadership Series ($359)
Center for Business & Professional Development at The Bakery District
Week 1 – Behavior Styles & Communication Learn to identify personal strengths and weaknesses to lead more effectively. Includes a personality profile assessment.
Week 2 – Performance Management, Learn how to motivate others and how to use consequences to produce needed results.
Week 3 – Coaching, Learn coaching skills that will improve or enhance your ability to be a partner for success and the five-step method to create loyalty-building coaching meetings.
Week 4 – Workplace Compliance, Learn how certain management behaviors create liability for the organization.
* Attendance at the first session is mandatory to continue the series.
Register at: https://uafs.edu/ced/cbpd/pdt/grit.php
Wednesdays, May 4-25, 1 – 5 p.m.
FOCUS: Workplace Leadership Series ($359)
Center for Business & Professional Development at The Bakery District
Week 1 – Strategic Planning, learn to build a strategic plan that engages your workforce to win together.
Week 2 – Goal Setting – SMART Goals, learn how to set your goals up for success by building an effective development plan.
Week 3 – Project Management, introduction to Project Management. Learn tips and tools to be a successful project manager.
Week 4 – Time and Deadline Management, understand how to manage your time to get the most out of yourself and your team.
Register at: https://uafs.edu/ced/cbpd/pdt/focus.php
Wednesdays, May 4-25, 1 – 5 p.m.
ELEVATE: Workplace Leadership Series ($359)
Center for Business & Professional Development at The Bakery District
Week 1 – Ethics in the Workplace, learn to define your ethical framework to make solving ethical dilemmas easier and provide tools you can use when faced with ethical decisions.
Week 2 – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace, learn how to help a diverse collection of individuals and generations work as a team by identifying potential challenges and areas of common ground. Week 3 – Dealing with Workplace Conflict, learn what conflict is, how it can escalate, and ways to manage conflicts to enhance productivity and performance.
Week 4 – Workplace Communication, learn the skills necessary to communicate via professional email, business documents, and public speaking. These skills will boost confidence, making you an effective communicator.
*Registration must be received by April 27*
Register at: https://uafs.edu/ced/cbpd/pdt/elevate.php
Thursday, May 12, 5:30 p.m.
Black Small Business Panel
ASBTDC at The Bakery District
Sponsored by Simmons Bank
Our panel of business owners and support businesses will discuss the challenges facing the growth and startup of small business, as well as specific opportunities for black businesses such how to get started, various loans, government contracts and day-to-day operations.
Register at: Black Small Business Panel
Friday, May 13, 8 a.m. to noon
Family Enterprise Center Spring Conference
Family Enterprise Center at The Bakery District
Thursday, May 26, 5:30 p.m.
Hispanic Small Biz Panel
ASBTDC at The Bakery District
Sponsored by Arvest Bank
This country’s 4.65 million Latino-owned businesses (LOBs) — which generate an estimated $700 billion per year—are primed to play a significant role in bolstering the U.S. economy. Here in the River Valley Hispanic-owned businesses are vital to the success of the region. Our bi-lingual panel will address local business opportunities and challenges for Hispanic businesses.
Register at: Hispanic Small Business Panel
Wednesdays, June 1-22, 8 a.m. to noon
GRIT: Workplace Leadership Series ($359)
Center for Business & Professional Development at The Bakery District
Week 1 – Behavior Styles & Communication, learn to identify personal strengths and
weaknesses to lead more effectively. Includes a personality profile assessment.
Week 2 – Performance Management, learn how to motivate others and how to use consequences
to produce needed results.
Week 3 – Coaching, learn coaching skills that will improve or enhance your ability
to be a partner for success and the five-step method to create loyalty-building coaching
meetings.
Week 4 – Workplace Compliance, learn how certain management behaviors create liability
for the organization.
* Attendance at the first session is mandatory to continue the series.
Register at: https://uafs.edu/ced/cbpd/pdt/grit.php
Tuesday, June 7, all day.
Reboot Course for Veterans
ASBTDC at The Bakery District
This one day in-person course is offered off installation and provides participants with an overview of business fundamentals, while introducing techniques for evaluating the feasibility of business concepts. The course covers a range of entrepreneurial business concepts and provides resources for accessing startup capital, contracting opportunities, and more. Reboot is open all service members (including National Guard and Reserve) and their spouses.
Register at: Reboot for Veterans
Tuesday, June 14, 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m.
Navigating & Negotiating Personal Boundaries
Center for Business & Professional Development at The Bakery District
This event is Hosted by the Western Arkansas Human Resource Association.
Thursday, June 16, 7:30-9 a.m.
Family Enterprise Center Quarterly Breakfast
FEC at The Bakery District
- Tags:
- CBPD
- FEC
- CED
- ASBTDC