More Than 200 Delta Leaders Attend Annual DLN Conference
More than 200 leaders attended the annual Delta Leadership Network conference in Little Rock help from Feb. 5-7.
The group was welcomed with a reception at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion by Governor Asa Hutchinson and First Lady Susan Hutchinson. Attendees were greeted with remarks from an all-star line-up of Arkansas officials, including Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Secretary of State John Thurston.
This year’s conference featured more than 20 local and national subject-matter experts on opportunities and best practices that strengthen economic and community development in the Delta.
Arkansas-native Walt Coleman, 30-year veteran referee of the National Football League and Controller of Hiland Dairy, gave a rousing and inspiring keynote speech to open the conference. “Just do what’s right when making important decisions,” Coleman told a packed house at the Downtown Little Rock Marriott.
Charles Marohn, President and CEO of Strong Towns, provided the lunch keynote with his signature Curbside Chat. Marohn challenged participants to have the courage to challenge current approaches to economic and community development. “The challenge of this generation is not going to be growth. We’ve had decades of growth and it hasn’t given us prosperity. The challenge we face now is what to do with all the stuff we’ve already built,” he said.
Session topics included:
- Public Private partnerships for the Economic Advancement of Delta communities;
- Redevelopment in the Delta: How Communities are (Re)Shaping their Futures;
- From Applying to Complying: Grants 101-401;
- Engaging Utility Providers in the Development Process; and
- Innovative Community Development Finance.
Thank you to our Delta leaders for sharing ideas and continuing to work together to improve economic conditions and helping create jobs for our 10 million residents!
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