About Us

Our Mission

GTEDC’s mission is focused on strategically supporting the Golden Triangle region by providing support for business retention and expansion; enhance the professional development of its membership and to advocate workforce and economic development to benefit the citizens of South Arkansas.

The non-profit organization has more than 160 members, with representation from the four counties of Calhoun, Columbia, Ouachita and Union.  Our members include local and regional economic developers, as well as officials from municipal, county and state governmental agencies, real estate, education, and corporate and business leaders.

Governance

The GTEDC is a membership driven organization. The non-profit organization has a seventeen member board of directors with representation on the board from the four counties of Calhoun, Columbia, Ouachita and Union. The GTEDC board includes local and regional economic developers, as well as officials from municipal, county and state government agencies, real estate, education, and corporate and business leaders.

The board strategically supports the GTEDC mission to support business retention and expansion, enhance the professional development of its membership and advocate workforce and economic development to benefit the citizens of South Arkansas.

History

The GTEDC continues the work of the Golden Triangle Fiber Park Council, which was first organized under the aegis of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company to develop a “Fiber Park” in South Arkansas to attract new industry. The ad hoc Economic Development Council evolved into the GTEDC to promote larger regional economic and community development. In September of 2000, Southern Arkansas University (SAU) agreed to provide GTEDC with office space, a student worker, Internet access, and other key logistical support. The responsibilities for the GTEDC office expanded and in 2004 a full-time coordinator was hired to work primarily for GTEDC.

Board of Directors