Community Development

Community Development Home | Funding Sources | Area Projects

Want to Know More About Our Area Economy?
Prepared by WAPDD's director of economic development, you can download or read a reprint of an article for the Southwest Times Record, February 2004 [click here] and a power point slide presentation describing the Fort Smith Region's Economy, February 2006. [click here to view slide presentation].

For economic information and labor force and employment statistics for the state, its metropolitan areas and counties, we suggest you click on "Census Information & Population Data" at the top of this page and check out the following websites:
http://www.state.ar.us/esd/LaborMarketInfo/AESD_labormarketinfo.htm
http://www.aiea.ualr.edu/research/demographic/default.html

Community and Economic Development

Since its establishment in 1966, WAPDD's assistance to communities has centered on building a better quality of life for area residents through community and economic development. We offer local governments and community-based organizations help in the following areas:

• preparation of community & economic development plans
• tracking & analysis of regional economic trends
• identification of grant & loan sources for community projects
• structuring of financing for public works projects
• bridge to funding and regulatory agencies
• guide for new & existing businesses requiring tax & infrastructure incentives
• preparation of grant and loan applications
• project administration relating to compliance and financial

WAPDD's economic development activities are supported in part by the U. S. Economic Development Administration under EDA's economic districts planning grant program. This funding is used to support some of the services we provide localities and to maintain the District's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS contains information on the District's economy and lists local and regional development goals and strategies. This document is updated annually.

Click on our "Area Projects" for a listing of recently completed or underway projects involving WAPDD's assistance.