FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Think Big Little Rock to Present Initiatives to public in October

(Little Rock) - Conceived and funded by Fifty for the Future, implemented in partnership with Create Little Rock, and facilitated by the Arkansas Economic Development Institute at UA Little Rock (AEDI), Think Big Little Rock has been a year-long strategic assessment aimed at improving the quality of place of the Little Rock region. The project is an inclusive and participatory process focused on an age group that traditionally has had little input in building Little Rock's future. 

Over the past 12 months, the Think Big Little Rock initiative brought together a diverse group of young professionals, ages 25 To 40, to assess the community's needs and, where possible, act as a catalyst for positive change. 

In October, members of the Think Big Little Rock leadership team and AEDI facilitators will host four interactive listening sessions in various locations across Little Rock to present their findings and recommendations: 

Southwest Little Rock: 
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017, 5:30 - 7:30pm 
Longley Baptist Church - Fellowship Hall 
9900 Geyer Springs Road, 72209 
RSVP on Facebook

West Little Rock: 
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2017, 5:30 - 7:30pm 
CALS Roosevelt Thompson Library 
38 Rahling Circle, 72223
RSVP on Facebook

North Little Rock: 
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2017, 5:30 - 7:30pm 
North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce - Bank of the Ozarks Conference Center (2nd Floor) 
100 Main Street, NLR, 72114 
RSVP on Facebook

Downtown Little Rock: 
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2017, 5:30 - 7:30pm 
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center - Auditorium 
501W. 9th Street, 72201
RSVP on Facebook

These interactive listening sessions are free and open to the public. For details about the events contact April Campbell at abcampbell@ualr.edu. For media inquiries, please contact Buckley O'Mell at bomell@littlerockchamber.com.

About Think Big Little Rock:
In September of 2016, a 54-member steering committee held a half-day work session to identify 6 areas of study, and task forces were formed for each study area made up of steering committee members and other young professionals from the community. The task forces are: 

Arts & Culture 
Diversity & Inclusion 
Economic Development 
Public Education 
Public Safety & Governance 
Transportation & Environment 

Over the past year, Think Big Little Rock held monthly 3-hour work sessions on the UA Little Rock campus. Task forces also met outside of these works sessions and formed subcommittees to tackle specific areas of study. Interviews were conducted with city leaders and Little Rock stakeholders to provide insight, history and advice. Additionally, four focus groups were conducted with other young professionals not involved with the Think Big Little Rock initiative to gain an outside perspective on the various recommendations. 

Think Big Little Rock leadership and facilitators are currently in the process of creating a final product, including presentations and a report to be distributed to the community. While the obligation for the Think Big Little Rock participants is limited to the year of visioning, those participants who wish to remain engaged can take part in "Phase 2" of the project which consists of implementation of the recommendations.

For additional information:
Buckley O'Mell
Vice-President, Advocacy
Phone: 501.377.6005
Email: bomell@littlerockchamber.com