About the Little Rock Regional Chamber
Established in 1866, the Little Rock Regional Chamber is the oldest association in Arkansas . Since then, business leaders have worked on many projects that many people think “just happened.” The Chamber helped to ease the hardships brought about by the disastrous Spring Flood of 1927, and then attempted to help businesses survive the Depression of the 1930s. It supported increased funding for the schools, raised money for teachers’ salaries when schools were unable to pay them, took a stand following the 1957 School Desegregation Crisis, and developed a plan for the establishment of a technical college in the greater Little Rock area, which is now the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College. The Chamber has led the region’s military affairs. This work includes donating land to secure Camp Robinson while also assembling land to secure the Little Rock Air Force Base , an operation that now contributes $1.79 billion to the region’s economy. With a vision to capitalize on the region’s natural beauty, the Chamber adopted a resolution to establish Pinnacle Mountain State Park , which now draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. The Chamber has played a vital role in enhancing the region’s quality of place. From funding campaigns that led to the creation of the River Market District , Statehouse Convention Center expansion, Robinson Auditorium expansion, and Alltel Arena (now Simmons Bank Arena ), to playing an active role in staffing the Clinton Presidential Library site selection committee. Over the last 20 years, the Chamber has been involved with the development and expansion of the Port of Little Rock , one of the state’s largest economic engines, providing employment for over 10,000 Arkansans from 48 counties across the state. With a focus on attracting innovation and technology-based jobs, the Chamber played a leading role in the formation of the Little Rock Technology Park Authority. Since its inception in 2011, the Tech Park has become an entrepreneurial hub for innovation, while attracting national and international technology companies. For decades, the Chamber has worked to improve the region’s educational opportunities. In 2018, we embarked on creating the Academies of Central Arkansas , a transformational public education framework across Pulaski County’s four school districts, bridging the gap between education and employment. Today, the Chamber’s mission remains focused on regional economic development, community development, and advocacy.
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