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Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber Weekly
07.18.2022
 
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Chamber News

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ground-breaking ceremony for Independent Stave Company, Batesville Mill. The event will be held at 5263 Heber Springs Road in Locust Grove on Friday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m. 

Independent Stave Company, a manufacturer of high-quality oak barrels and cooperage products, announced earlier this year they will construct a state-of-the-art mill near Batesville to produce staves for bourbon and wine barrels. The company, which is the largest barrel maker in the world, will invest more than $30 million in the facility and create approximately 60 new jobs.

 All community members are welcome to attend.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) proudly announces the next Chamber University session, presented by First Community Bank. BACC's Chamber University program brings relevant information to members in a quick and engaging format.

Join us on Wednesday, August 3, to hear from Ted Abernathy as he talks about "Workforce Challenges in 2022...and beyond." Ted will interactively address why we are all challenged to find enough workers with the right skills—and what we can do about it.

Abernathy is the managing partner of Economic Leadership, a small group of data, strategy, and policy experts working with private and public clients to analyze competitiveness, develop strategy, support leadership, and reimagine the future.

Over the past nine years, the team has worked on 146 projects in 20+ states and internationally. Ted is the principal author of nearly 100 reports on future trends, economic and workforce development, technology, and leadership, and he speaks on the economy regularly.

In his 42-year career, Ted has led city, county, and regional economic development organizations and an economic policy thinktank.

In August, Economic Leadership will release a new report detailing how the business community in all 50 states has responded to national workforce challenges.

Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce members can enjoy free admission to this event to learn directly from Ted’s expertise. Admission is $40 for non-members. All attendees must register by July 29.

REGISTER FOR CHAMBER UNIVERSITY

The City of Batesville's Advertising and Promotions Commission proudly announces its Experience Independence Holiday Pitch Contest. 

The contest is an opportunity for interested and experienced parties to pitch their idea and compete for funds to support the implementation or expansion of the event. Applicants will pitch a unique, well-researched, and practical concept for a new holiday-themed event to attract overnight stays to Batesville. 

"This is a great opportunity for organizations and individuals to compete for start-up funds to support holiday events," said Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce COO Jamie Rayford. 

The A&P Commission is funding the pitch contest to offset expenses related to promoting the area as the Christmas Capital of Arkansas™ and encourage tourism growth.

Award amounts range from $100 to $12,000. The number of awards granted depends on the applicant pool's quality and request size. 

"Batesville has built a reputation as the Christmas Capital of Arkansas™, and we are excited to see what new ideas our community comes up with," concluded Rayford.

Learn more and start planning your event at experienceindependence.com.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY TODAY
Save your space in the 2023 Insider's Guide

The Insider's Guide is the go-to publication for visitors and new and potential residents of Independence County. With sections focusing on recreation, shopping, dining, banking, real estate, healthcare, and much more, the Insider's Guide is the roadmap for new residents and visitors to learn what it truly means to "Experience Independence."

Reserve your advertising space in the 2023 Insider's Guide, and be among the first to introduce yourself to your new customers. Contact Evie Clauss if you are interested at tourism@batesvilleareachamber.com.

VIEW THE 2022 INSIDER GUIDE
Get Your Experience Independence Merchandise

Celebrate your spirit of Independence with shirts, cups, gifts, and more! You'll be supporting the hometown brand you love. Buy online or in-store at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Job Postings
Assistant Director
El Centro Hispano • Jonesboro, AR

Library Director
Independence County Library • Batesville, AR

Student Life Administrative Coordinator
Lyon College • Batesville, AR

Engineering Associate-Distribution I-II
Entergy • Batesville, AR
 
VIEW ALL JOBS
Member Events

The Batesville Area Arts Council is pleased to present For My Better Self, an exhibition by Marlie Allgood, at the BAAC Gallery on Main (226 E Main St) through July 30, 2022.

Marlie Allgood is an oil painter living in Northwest Arkansas. She earned her B.F.A. in studio art from the University of Central Arkansas in 2018 and currently works as a Studio Educator at Crystal Bridges Museum, where she teaches art classes and creates educational programming.

In For My Better Self, Allgood documents moments in time from her childhood and upbringing, representing the endless possibilities of the future. “Memories are blurry. My artistic practice respects who I was as a child. I value the independent choices of my younger self and the things she loved. I treasure and collect material items combined with photographs from throughout my life. Then, I paint them as a story to guide.” Please join us for the opening reception to meet the artist and learn more about her work.

This exhibition is free and open to the public during BAAC’s regular gallery hours, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Citizens Bank sponsors this exhibition.

Independence Area Sports Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony The 21st Independence County Area Sports Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony will be held on July 23, 2022, at The Mainstreet Loft in downtown Batesville. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door. Your ticket will include a Fred’s Catfish dinner with all the trimmings. The starting time of this event is 6 p.m. The Main Street Loft is located on the third floor of the Barnett Building which houses the Independence County Library. The elevator will take you up. 

2022 inductees include Canaan Sandy (Recipient of the Estes Award), Donnie Branscum (Coaching), Arlonzo Childress (Football), Bill Luster (Archery), Chris Westervelt (Baseball), and Nicole Wilkett (Basketball).
Vacation Bible School is back at Fellowship!!! Our theme verse is: “Whoever believes in me…rivers of living water will flow from within them.” - John 7:38, NIV

Get ready for a hands-on, memorable week that will allow kids to grow their faith as they understand how they can make waves and share God’s love with the people around them. July 24-28 from 6-8pm! We'd love to have you! Fellowship Bible Church of Batesville At the Landers Theater, 322 E. Main Street Call the church office at 870.698.9244 for more information
The SBA Arkansas District Office, Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, and Better Business Bureau of Arkansas introduce Pamela Starr, Professional Trainer at Grow with Google!

The Grow with Google Summer Camp series is an opportunity for small business owners to join workshops that will teach you how to use Google to promote, help customers find you, and help your business grow. This three-part series will be held on the second Tuesday of the month at 10 am. Be sure to register for each session! 

Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps
Tuesday, August 9th at 10 a.m.

Introduction to Google Ads
Tuesday, September 13 at 10 a.m.
Open Casting Call for NADT's Nutcracker There will be an open casting call for Children and Adult Roles (ages 5 and up) on Sat. Aug. 20 from 3:30-4:30 @ the NADT Dance Academy, 157 W. Main in Batesville for NADT's 18th annual "Nutcracker." No formal dance training is required, nor do you have to be affiliated with NADT. Everyone gets a part! Performances are Nov. 18-19 (the weekend before Thanksgiving) at UACCB in Batesville. Come and participate in this timeless classic!

NEW CHAMBER MEMBER: Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind

The Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) is dedicated to the independence of Arkansans who are blind or visually impaired and is committed to the principle that these individuals have the right to make informed choices regarding where they live, where they work, how they participate in the community, and how they interact with others.

501-682-5463 | 1-800-960-9270
1 Commerce Way Little Rock, AR 72202

dws.arkansas.gov/services-for-the-blind/

 

There is Hope. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to connect with compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, 988 provides a 24/7 connection to confidential support.

#988Lifeline

Arkansas Business Best Places to Work 2022 First Community Bank was recently named as one of the Best Places to Work in Arkansas. In its ninth year, Arkansas Business continues to offer this program in partnership with Workforce Research Group. This survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in Arkansas, benefiting the state’s economy, workforce and businesses. The list is made up of 50 companies. First Community Bank has been named one of this year’s Best Places to Work in Arkansas.

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
  • Be a for-profit, not-for-profit business or government entity;
  • Be a publicly or privately held business;
  • Have a facility in Arkansas;
  • Have at least 15 employees in Arkansas;
  • Be in business a minimum of 1 year.
Employers are asked to fill out an in-depth questionnaire about their company, while employees are asked to take a survey. These elements allow Workforce Research Group to collect direct information and honest feedback about their workplace to determine if they’re one of the Best.

All of our winners will be celebrated and category winners including the Benchmark Award winner will be revealed at a special awards ceremony featuring company representatives in person as well those joining via virtual watch parties on September 29, and then published in a special supplement of Arkansas Business on October 3.

For more information on the Best Places to Work in Arkansas program or to purchase ticket packages visit www.arkansasbusiness.com/bestplacestowork or contact Awards Events and Marketing Lead Kelli Roy at KRoy@ABPG.Com or (501) 455-9336.
OIRM to Host Young Aviators Class

The Old Independence Regional Museum (OIRM), along with Oakwood Aviation, will be hosting a Young Aviators Class on Tuesday, July 26 through Friday, July 29. Military veteran, educator, and pilot Clint Howard will be teaching the aviation/STEM class. Classes will be held from 1pm-3pm on July 26-28 at OIRM and from 1pm-4pm at the Batesville Regional Airport on July 29. Friday’s class will include a tour of the Batesville Regional Airport. Class size is limited to 15 students. Major Howard is the aviation instructor at Batesville High School and the owner of Oakwood Aviation Services.  
Participants will learn about the history and science of flights. Museum activities will include forces of flight, aviation weather and navigation. Students will also use various drones and the museum’s flight simulator.  
Registration is $60 and open to youth ages 12-16. For more information, visit oirm.org. To register, email mandi@oirm.org or call 870-793-2121. 

Schwegman 70th Anniversary Giveaway Schwegman is celebrating 70 years in business. We are giving away a pair of AirPods and a Laptop valued at over $900. We are having a special drawing to show our appreciation to our customers. Refer us to a new customer and when that customer places an order, you will be entered in the drawing for the AirPods. Purchase $500 or more on one invoice and you will be entered into the drawing for the laptop.

Eye On Magazine | July 2022
Bringing the world to your home by hosting an exchange student! What better way to bring culture into your home than by hosting a foreign exchange student? ETC is a non-profit organization who is actively seeking volunteer host families for the August 2022 school year. Our students are 14-18 years old and have their own spending money and health insurance. Host families have full support from their- local coordinators Kayla Rickett of Pleasant Plains and Amanda Sharp of Locust Grove. For more information on becoming a host family, please visit our website: https://edutrav.org/student-search/
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https://chamber.batesvilleareaalliance.com
Our Mission
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice of business in Independence County, providing advocacy promotion and resources for chamber members.
Our Vision
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce sets the standard for excellence in member service, community collaboration, business growth and achieving a high quality of life in the Batesville Area.
©2022 Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, All rights reserved.

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