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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.
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The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Lifeplus are proud to host a lunch for Business and Community Leaders with Congressman Rick Crawford on Wednesday, August 17, at 12 p.m., at The River Waterfront Steak & Grill.
Congressman Crawford will give updates from Congress and hear concerns from our community.
Please RSVP to scott.lancaster@lifeplus.com.
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Chamber University, presented by First Community Bank, exists to bring relevant information to members in a quick and engaging format. Members heard from Ted Abernathy about "Workforce Challenges in 2022...and beyond." Ted addressed why we are all challenged to find enough workers with the right skills—and what we can do about it. Watch on youtube.
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Blue Moon Coffee Celebrates Reopening Under New Ownership
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of Blue Moon Coffee Co.
“We are so happy to be here to celebrate the new ownership and the reopening of Blue Moon Coffee,“ said BACC CEO Crystal Johnson.
Blue Moon Coffee proudly serves espresso, lattes, frappuccinos, cold brew, smoothies, milkshakes, and more with quick, friendly service. Blue Moon Coffee is located at 1455 Myers Street in Batesville and is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Originally from Batesville, Blue Moon Coffee owner Quan Le said, “I am so glad to be back in my hometown, serving coffee to my friends, family, and customers. We plan to provide the best and quickest coffee.”
Ambassadors in attendance included: Amanda Bledsoe (Network of Community Options), Jessie Cargill (UAMS North Central), Amanda Dickey (Block Insurance), Ashley Engles (Citizens Bank), Tammy Foster (First Community Bank), Brittney Harris (Independence Off Road), Eva Henriken (Merchants and Planters Bank), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Dana Millikin (White River Now), Courteney Muse (Southern Bank), Sarah Perkins (The Property Shoppe), Ashley Rogers (Goosehead Insurance), Justin Russell (Bank of Cave City), Brooke Stevenson (Stevenson Paralegal Services), Chad Whiteaker (White River Now), and Carmen Waugh (Centennial Bank).
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Save your space in the 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 ad space in the 2023 Insider's Guide by contacting Evie at tourism@batesvilleareachamber.com.
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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.
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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!
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2022 BAAC Kids Art Exhibition
Students, grades K-6th, enjoyed creating art at the Batesville Area Arts Council’s Summer Art Camp.
This year students learned about artists Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Wasilly Kandinsky, Wayne Thiebaud, René Megritte, Paul Klee and Salvador Dali. Participants created projects inspired by these artists using a variety of art techniques with instructors Eliseo Casiano and Macy Hudson.
Their work is now featured in an exhibition at BAAC’s Gallery on Main (226 E Main Street) through August 12. A drop-in gallery reception for the 2022 Kids Art Exhibition will be held on Thursday, August 11, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Stop by the gallery to see some great artwork made by local students! This event is free and open to the public. Thanks to the John Herman Hickman Foundation for sponsoring the BAAC Summer Art Camp for kids!
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Movies in the Park is BACK...and mobile! We will be at Batesville West Elementary (near the new Splash Pad) for this showing. Come join us as we navigate around town to offer this FREE experience, thanks to our generous sponsors. See you in the park!
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End of Life Q&A with Meagan Brazier, Licensed Funeral Director and Pre-Arragnement Counselor
Join us for a question-and-answer session with Meagan Brazier, Licensed Funeral Director and Pre-Arrangement Counselor, on Friday, August 19, 2022, at 10am. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. Participants will write their questions anonymously at the beginning of the program and place them in the box. Ms. Brazier will read and answer each question. This program is free and open to the public. The session will be held in the library’s meeting room on the second floor, accessible by elevator. The Independence County Library is located at 267 E. Main Street, Batesville, AR 72501.
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Benefit for Blaine Blakley
Benefit for Blaine Blakey to be held on August 20 at West Baptist Church (1100 N Central Ave.) in Batesville.
There will be a BBQ plate that includes BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, chips, and a drink for $10 starting at 5:30 pm. Baggo Tournament starting at 6 pm, ages 18 and under teams $15 entry fee, and 18 up $25 entry fee. The winner of each will receive half of the entry, and the other half will be donated to Blaine. There will be a Silent Auction from 5-7 p.m., with winners being announced at 7:15.
Contact Brooke Kimble at 870.291.1536 or Tara Goodson at 870.612.0065.
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What would you do in the event of an active shooter? Scott Lancaster will offer insight for all community members at the Independence County Library on and Wednesday, August 24, 2022 and Monday, August 29, 2022 from 3pm-5pm. Both sessions will be identical. The sessions will teach the ALICE platform, which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. ALICE is a nationally recognized training curriculum that teaches a proactive response to shooting events. This program is free and open to the public; registration is not required to attend.
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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!
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Halo Hills Training and Boarding is proud to announce the launch of their new website halohills.net.
You can now book reservations, upload vaccine records, and pay online!
Here at Halo Hills, we strive to provide your furry family members with a comfortable, happy, safe home away from home. We offer 7-day-a-week pick-up and drop-off from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
We will continue expanding and adding new services. Stay up-to-date on our announcements by following our Facebook business page, Halo Hills Training and Boarding LLC.
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Bobby Hughes goes 'Above & Beyond'
Bobby Hughes, part of Environmental Services for Batesville School District, was named Monday to receive the July “Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award.” Bobby brings a light that shines upon the staff at the District Administration Center and his fellow associates are thankful for the hard work and diligence that accompanies his smile. Congratulations!
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VAUGHAN PROMOTED TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AT FIRST COMMUNITY BANK
First Community Bank has promoted Mandy Vaughan to senior vice president, special assets manager. Vaughan began her banking career over 20 years ago and has been with First Community Bank since 2000.
During her tenure, she has served in the credit, legal, and loan review departments before moving to her position in the special assets department, where she is responsible for managing a multi-state portfolio associated with bank-owned properties and repossessed assets. This includes renovations to bank-owned real estate, realtor listing agreements, and disposal of assets. She is also responsible for managing the bank's facilities department and addressing all related needs in each of the bank’s network, as well as assisting with planning and oversight of new branch construction projects.
“I am grateful for this promotion, and I look forward to continuing to witness the remarkable growth that First Community Bank has experienced,” said Vaughan.
Vaughan is a 2007 graduate of the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, Tennessee. She currently serves as treasurer of the Batesville American Legion Auxiliary Unit 114, and is a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church of Southside. She and her husband, Heath, have two children, Hayley, and Gannon, as well as two grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her grandsons.
Boris Dover, president and chief operating officer for First Community Bank said, “Mandy has been a valuable member of the First Community Bank family for 22 years, so we are thrilled to announce her well-deserved promotion. We are proud to recognize her hard work and look forward to her continued growth.”
For more information about First Community Bank, call 870-612-3400 or visit firstcommunity.net.
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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
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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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The Independence County Excel by Eight Committee (E8) has been awarded a $60,000 grant to build brains through "early talk" from Arkansas Community Foundation. The grant will afford Batesville, Cedar Ridge, Midland, and Southside Pre-School teachers' Language Environment Analysis (LENA) cutting-edge technology, data reports and professional coaching through LENA Grow.
"Conversational turns are simple things — just back-and-forth interactions between an adult and a child, but research reveals a tremendous impact of these simple exchanges," said Jessi Rice, Community Consultant for E8's state-wide initiative.
According to research cited on LENA's website, improved brain development, executive functioning, social-emotional skills, language development, reading skills, and kindergarten readiness are among the benefits of increased interactions.
Through the LENA Grow program, students wear vests with special LENA talk-pedometers that will collect data on the classroom talk environment. Teachers will regularly review the data reports with coaches, using video examples and other tools to master techniques for increasing interactive talk with their students. The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce will lead as the program manager for the LENA Grow program, which will begin in schools following Labor Day.
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The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice of business in Independence County, providing advocacy promotion and resources for chamber members.
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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.
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