The Conway County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) announced the SEE FURTHER Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneur Program. This program aims to support the growth and success of new outdoor recreation businesses after their launch. It’s the first initiative of its kind at the local level in Arkansas, and the CCEDC hopes it will be a valuable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs in Morrilton and the Petit Jean River Valley.
“The SEE FURTHER Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneur Program is very exciting,” said Donnie Crain, President & CEO of the CCEDC. “The outdoor recreation industry is experiencing tremendous growth in Arkansas and nationwide. We believe the SEE FURTHER program, along with other outdoor recreation efforts in Morrilton like GORP Around the State and the Natural State Initiative Economic Opportunity Zone on Petit Jean Mountain, will significantly benefit new outdoor recreation businesses. This will allow the community to reap the rewards of this growing sector through job creation, investment, and improved quality of life.”
Capitalizing on Existing Initiatives
Morrilton and Conway County, home to Petit Jean State Park, have long been a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Last year, Morrilton was chosen as one of four Arkansas communities to participate in the GORP Around the State initiative, led by the University of Arkansas’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Modeled after the successful Northwest Arkansas program, Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP), this initiative assists aspiring entrepreneurs in launching their outdoor recreation businesses. Training events and activities will be held locally at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton in the coming months, including an Incubator Intensive program starting in September. Applications for this program are currently open, with a deadline of July 8th, 2024.
Furthermore, in 2023, the State of Arkansas designated Petit Jean State Park and the surrounding area extending one-eighth of a mile from its boundaries as a Natural State Initiative Economic Opportunity Zone. Managed by the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, this designation offers qualifying businesses within the zone unique sales and income tax benefits unavailable elsewhere.
SEE FURTHER Program Details
The SEE FURTHER Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneur Program complements these two existing initiatives by providing local support for selected new outdoor recreation businesses that choose to establish themselves in Morrilton and Conway County. The program offers chosen applicants up to $5,000 in seed funding to help launch their businesses. Additionally, it includes a membership in the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce and various other services and training opportunities to ensure the success of these new ventures.
“We are dedicated to supporting businesses that choose to invest and grow in Morrilton and Conway County,” stated Brian Rohlman, Chairman of the Conway County Economic Development Corporation’s board of directors. “The SEE FURTHER Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneur Program exemplifies that commitment. It demonstrates our willingness to explore innovative approaches to expand our local economy and positively impact our community.”
How to Apply
Outdoor recreation-related businesses interested in the SEE FURTHER Outdoor Entrepreneur Program are encouraged to contact Donnie Crain at the Conway County Economic Development Corporation for more information. He can be reached at (501) 354-2393 or via email at donnie@morriltonchamber.com. The application period for the new program will begin in September 2024.
(Lead photo: View from Stouts Point at Petit Jean State Park of the Arkansas River. Courtesy of Conway County Chamber)
