Approximately 600 leaders from business, education, and government convened at the second annual Catalyst: NEA Economic Development & Leadership Forum held at the Embassy Suites Red Wolf Convention Center in Jonesboro. The event centered on key drivers of regional growth—agriculture, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure—while emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration. Discussions throughout the day highlighted strategies to strengthen value chains, expand workforce readiness, and improve connectivity across communities. n nTodd Shields, Chancellor of Arkansas State University, explained that the forum aims to convert regional momentum into actionable plans that generate jobs, attract investment, and expand opportunity. He noted that A-State’s economic footprint reached $2.5 billion last year, with $480 million stemming from university operations, student and visitor spending, and $2 billion from alumni contributions across the state. This activity sustains over 16,000 jobs and yields a return of $7.10 for every dollar of state funding. n nAgriculture was recognized as a cornerstone of Arkansas’s economy, fueling exports, manufacturing, and rural development. Panelists stressed the need for integrated planning among farmers, processors, and educators to advance value-added products and meet workforce demands. Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and an A-State graduate, emphasized that coordinated action accelerates progress. n nEntrepreneurship sessions explored ways to help startups grow, enhance talent development, and connect founders with mentorship and funding. Attendees also engaged with university faculty and students on internship programs aligned with employer needs. n nA midday conversation on regionalism examined how communities, educational institutions, and industries can align strategies to achieve shared goals. Shields described this as a unified approach linking workforce development, housing, and quality of life. n nThe final segment addressed infrastructure, with Jerry Halsey Jr., Arkansas Highway Commissioner and CEO of Halsey Real Estate, underscoring the role of reliable transportation, energy, and industrial sites in supporting economic expansion. He described modern infrastructure as vital to attracting business and improving living standards. n nHeather Nelson, Executive-in-Residence at the event, highlighted the importance of accountability and measurable outcomes, noting that participants are expected to leave with clear action items. The forum concluded with a shared focus on sustaining momentum for the benefit of students, employers, and communities across Northeast Arkansas.
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State hosts second annual Catalyst: NEA Economic Development & Leadership Forum
About 600 business, education, and government leaders recently gathered for the Catalyst: NEA Economic Development & Leadership Forum at the Embassy Suites Red Wolf Convention Center in Jonesboro. The daylong forum focused on agriculture, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure, with a lunch discussion on regional collaboration that tied the day together. n nChancellor Todd Shields said the forum is designed to translate momentum into specific next steps for jobs, investment, and opportunity in Northeast Arkansas and across the state and region. n nLast year, A-State’s total economic impact reached $2.5 billion, including $480 million from university operations, student and visitor spending, plus $2 billion from alumni statewide. That impact supports more than 16,000 jobs and returns $7.10 for every dollar invested by the state. n n“Catalyst brings operators, educators, and public leaders to the same table to compare notes and commit to next steps,” Shields said. “When we align priorities, we move faster and build results that last.” n nAgriculture leaders underscored the sector’s role as a statewide engine for exports, manufacturing, and rural prosperity. The conversation highlighted value-added products, workforce needs, and the importance of coordinated planning among producers, processors, and educators. n n“When industry, education and policy sit down together, Arkansas moves faster,” said Wes Ward, Arkansas Agriculture Secretary and an A-State alumnus. “At Catalyst we highlighted how agriculture powers exports, manufacturing and rural prosperity — and how additional gains will come from value-added products, a job-ready workforce and real coordination among producers, processors and educators. As an A-State alumnus, I’m proud to see that kind of problem-solving in one room.” n nEntrepreneurship sessions focused on practical ways to scale companies, strengthen talent pipelines, and connect founders with mentorship and capital. Attendees also engaged with A-State faculty and students on applied learning and internship pathways that match employer needs. n nOver lunch, the forum shifted to regionalism, as Shields and Graham Cobb of Paceline Strategies & Emeraude explored how communities, higher education, and industry can collaborate to achieve mutual benefits. Shields framed the opportunity as a shared work plan that links workforce, sites, housing, and quality of life. n n“Regional collaboration becomes real when communities, employers, and campuses execute the same playbook,” Shields added. “Coordinate recruitment, align training, and invest in places where people want to live — the whole region benefits.” n nInfrastructure leaders closed the program with a look at highways, power, and project delivery needed to match growth. The discussion centered on reliability, safety, and readiness so employers can expand with confidence and families can build their lives here. n n“Smart infrastructure is the backbone of long-term prosperity in Northeast Arkansas,” said Jerry Halsey Jr., Arkansas Highway Commissioner, CEO of Halsey Real Estate, and another A-State alumnus. “From industrial sites and housing to reliable energy and connected corridors, we’re focused on practical projects that make it easier to move people and goods and that link towns across the region.” n nExecutive-in-Residence Heather Nelson emphasized the importance of follow-through and measurable progress. She pointed to the operator-driven format and the expectation that participants leave aligned on next steps. n n“Today was about highlighting what’s going well in Northeast Arkansas and across the state, and identifying concrete next steps to build on that momentum,” said Heather Nelson. “We now turn our attention to building on that momentum for the benefit of students, employers, and communities.”