Community Development

Entergy Arkansas, Inc., in cooperation with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, provides a free web-based site selection center to assist in the recruitment and expansion of business in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Site Selection Center (ARSSC) features interactive maps, a database of buildings and sites and detailed, up-to-date demographics. These elements allow economic developers, site selection consultants and businesses to conveniently analyze and evaluate potential sites and communities. Economic development entities, such as the AEDC and local communities, can customize and use the ARSSC in conjunction with their existing websites.

Buildings and Sites Database
Community and County Profiles
Geospatial Data Download Center

Arkansas Site Selection Center Policies:

• Local economic developers are the only property managers allowed to upload properties to the ARSSC.
• The local economic developer must be the primary contact on any property they enter into the site.
• Realtors cannot upload properties, but should work with their local economic developer to enter properties.
• Only commercial, office, and industrial properties are accepted.
• Sites must have at least 10 acres to be listed.
• Buildings must have at least 10,000 square feet to be listed.
• All properties must have a sale or lease price to be listed.

• Local economic developers are the only property managers allowed to upload properties to the ARSSC.
• The local economic developer must be the primary contact on any property they enter into the site.
• Realtors cannot upload properties, but should work with their local economic developer to enter properties.
• Only commercial, office, and industrial properties are accepted.
• Sites must have at least 10 acres to be listed.
• Buildings must have at least 10,000 square feet to be listed.
• All properties must have a sale or lease price to be listed.

Studies show that up to 80 percent of all new jobs are created by existing companies. A successful business retention and expansion strategy serves the key purposes of demonstrating to existing firms that the community appreciates their contribution to the local economy, encourages expansion that leads to sustainable job growth, helps businesses solve their problems and challenges and assists local businesses in gaining awareness of available resources.

Community Development's Regional Managers are ready to help implement effective business retention and expansion tools and strategies and ensure communities are familiar with the variety of resources available to help existing companies stay strong and grow.

Regional Managers are available to speak to civic and community groups on economic, community and leadership development. To schedule a presentation, please contact the Community Development division at (501) 682-7329.

Elected Officials Orientation provides an overview of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and provides officials with the following resources:

• Community Development Resource Guide
• Community Development Work Area Map
• Arkansas Site Selection Center (ARSSC) roles and responsibilities of property managers, community editors, and economic development contacts.

Regional economic development partnerships are crucial to rural Arkansas. These partnerships create the momentum and critical mass necessary to enhance a community's attractiveness to prospective companies. By coming together, regions can collectively utilize assets to address any workforce needs a company will have and can combine financial resources to create local economic development incentives.

AEDC's Regional Managers help communities discover and utilize the assets already in place within their respective communities and regions. Assets such as an available and adequately trained workforce, proper infrastructure and appropriate facilities help make Arkansas's communities attractive to companies looking to relocate or expand.

Regional Managers work with existing regional partnerships to develop regional strategic plans and assist with their implementation. They also are available to help communities form new partnerships within their region.

The purpose of site development training is to provide the skills for a community to create a quality product. The size, type and location of a community's site should be determined by the community's strategic plan, evaluation of the zoning ordinances, growth and traffic patterns in conjunction with technical assistance from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Central Arkansas Planning and Development District
East Arkansas Planning and Development District
Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District
Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District
Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District
Western Arkansas Economic Development District
West Central Arkansas Planning and Development
White River Planning & Development District

Arkansas Department of Rural Services
USDA Rural and Community Development
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension