UAFS Center for Economic Development

08/26/2026

What a great day touring Bekaert in Van Buren, Arkansas! 💙🦁

Our team was excited to get an inside look at their impressive 15-acre plant and see firsthand the people, processes, and teamwork that keep things moving. It’s always inspiring to step outside our own day-to-day and learn from others in our industry.

Big thanks to the Bekaert team for welcoming us and showing us around! We left with new ideas, great conversations, and an even greater appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes.

08/25/2026

We’re hiring!

Join the ASBTDC team as a Capital Access Business Consultant, based right here at the UAFS Center for Economic Development in Fort Smith.

This position works one-on-one with entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them navigate financing, strengthen their financial readiness, and access capital to start, stabilize, or grow their businesses.

Interested? Check out the full job description and apply through the University of Arkansas System Career Site.

Help us spread the word!

Apply here:

Current University of Arkansas System employees, including student employees and graduate assistants, need to log in to Workday via MyApps.Microsoft.com, then access Find Jobs from the Workday search bar to view and apply for open positions. Students at University of Arkansas System will also view o...

08/25/2026

⏰Don't miss this virtual training with the Center for Nonprofits and Prosper!

Register here: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofArkansasFortSmithCenterforEconomicDevelopment/events/center-for-nonprofits-defining-measuring-success-virtual

08/19/2026

Who deserves to be recognized in 2026?

Nominations are open for the UAFS Center for Economic Development Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards, and we want to hear about the businesses and leaders making an impact across our region.

This year's celebration will also feature Robert Pasin, Chief Wagon Officer of Radio Flyer, as our keynote speaker. As the third-generation leader of the iconic family-owned company behind the little red wagon, Robert has helped lead Radio Flyer through continued innovation and growth while carrying forward a family business legacy more than 100 years in the making.

The awards celebration is November 5, 2026.
But right now, it's nomination time.

Help us recognize the family-owned businesses, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders whose stories deserve to be celebrated.

Submit your nomination today: https://uafs.edu/ced/jwfec/excellence-awards.php

08/18/2026

Check out our Lunch & Learn at the Van Buren Chamber Of Commerce last Thursday. We had a full house of almost 40 attendees and we discussed the donor cycle and how to cultivate and steward your donors.

It takes approximately $1.50 to get a new donor and $.20 to retain existing donors. The donor cycle helps you cultivate and steward those relationships. The nonprofit is able to raise money more efficiently and the donors have a closer relationship and understanding of the work that they are contributing to. 💙

08/17/2026

Last week, our JWFEC Advisory Board helped officially unveil the new Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center Family Business Lending Library.

The library features more than 40 titles from some of the leading authors in family business, covering everything from succession and leadership to governance, communication, next-generation development, and more.

JWFEC members can check out any book at their leisure...just one more resource available through their membership.

Our endowment allows us to continually look for new ways, big and small, to provide meaningful resources to the family businesses we serve. We’re excited to add this one!

It’s especially fun to see books from several authors we’ve gotten to know through the JWFEC on the shelves!

Chris Yonker, CFBA
Cathy Carroll, MBA, MCC
Thomas William Deans, Ph.D.
Ruschelle Khanna, LCSW
Melissa Mitchell-Blitch
Sara B. Stern
Michael Klein
Stephanie Stuckey

08/10/2026

We are out here until 1 pm! Come swing by the Workforce Development Center for a Bob’s Dog and some great information for your LOCAL training!

08/03/2026

⏰ Just ONE week to go!

Don't forget to join us at our NEW Workforce Development Center for a casual drop-in Open House! Stop by anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to tour our new space, meet our team, and enjoy a FREE Bob's Dogs while you're here! 🌭

There's no formal program—just drop in whenever it's convenient for you. We'd love to show you around and can't wait to see you!

You can still RSVP here: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofArkansasFortSmithCenterforEconomicDevelopment/events/uafs-workforce-development-summer-tour

07/24/2026

Staff Spotlight: Emily Treadaway

Meet Emily Treadaway, Director of the Center for Nonprofits!

Emily is passionate about helping nonprofits thrive. Whether she's leading a workshop, hosting a Lunch & Learn, connecting organizations with valuable resources, or working one-on-one with nonprofit leaders, she is dedicated to strengthening the organizations that make our communities better.

In her role, Emily helps nonprofits navigate board development, governance, leadership, compliance, and sustainable growth. She believes that strong nonprofits are built through collaboration, shared learning, and practical support, and she works every day to make those resources accessible to organizations across Arkansas.

Before joining UAFS, Emily served for nearly seven years as County Coordinator for The CALL in Crawford and Sebastian Counties, where she built strong relationships throughout the nonprofit community and developed a passion for serving organizations and the people behind them.

If you're involved with a nonprofit or looking to strengthen your organization, Emily is always happy to connect and help point you in the right direction.

We're incredibly fortunate to have Emily on our team. Join us in celebrating this Staff Spotlight!