Rural Development Conference Provides Resources, Networking Opportunities

Across the state of Arkansas, communities are growing and working to improve the lives of their residents. One of the biggest challenges that communities face is knowing what resources are available to them.

That is where the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s annual Rural Development Conference comes in.

Hosted by AEDC’s Division of Rural Services, the Rural Development Conference is a three-day event that offers attendees the opportunity to learn more about programs and services that can help their communities with development, planning, and revitalization efforts.

The three-day event will offer panels and meetings addressing a wide range of issues affecting rural communities. These panels include sessions on the lithium industry in Arkansas, entrepreneurship development, cybersecurity, marketing, outdoor recreation, and retail recruitment. There will be two legislative committee meetings of the Joint Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee and City, County and Local Affairs, as well as a case study presentation on a successful economic development recruitment project.

During the conference, there will be multiple luncheons and dinners and other events in addition to the breakout sessions and meetings. More than 650 mayors, county judges, and elected officials attend the conference each year, giving attendees the opportunity to network with leaders from around the state.

The 2025 Arkansas Rural Development Conference will be held May 20-22 at the Robinson Event Center and DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Click here to visit the event’s landing page to learn more and to register.

Download the conference agenda here.