JYPN Members Identify Ways to Strengthen NEA

Those were questions posed to a group of younger residents in a special seminar held Tuesday of last week at the Paragould Community Center, an event hosted by the Economic Development Coalition of Northeast Arkansas.

Alan McVey, executive director of the Delta Center for Economic Development at Arkansas State University, served as facilitator of the meeting.

Organizers of the event, including Frankie Gilliam, community economic development specialist with the Delta Center, said not enough attention is directed to younger residents of the region when looking at economic issues and quality of life. Gilliam said the session, and the additional emphasis on this age group, was based on a similar effort underway in Iowa.

"Your input will help us in our efforts to make this a better region," said Mark Young, chairman of the regional coalition, during his opening remarks. Young also is executive director of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.

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