Free AI Seminar In Little Rock
The ASBTDC at UA Little Rock is hosting a free, in-person seminar called "AI Basics for Business" on June 25th at the Arkansas Hospitality Association. The event is led by ASBTDC Business Consultant Ryan Cole, is produced in cooperation with the Arkansas Hospitality Association, and is open to small business owners in the Little Rock area at no cost. Registration is required, and the sooner the better, as the 25th will be here quicker than we think.
Small business owners do not need a technology background to benefit from this seminar. The curriculum covers AI fundamentals, how to write better prompts, and real-world business use cases, exactly the kind of hands-on, no-jargon training that turns AI from a news headline into a practical daily tool. The fact that it is free and local means there is no excuse to skip it.
Register today by visiting the official SBA event page at sba.gov/event/82966.
Source: https://www.sba.gov/event/82966
$133M in Arkansas Housing Construction Means New Opportunity for Contractors
On May 28th, the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) announced the recipients of the 2026 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, awarding $13.3 million in annual federal tax credits to 12 developments across the state. Because these tax credits are claimed annually over a 10-year period, ADFA confirmed that this year's awards represent approximately $133 million in total construction investment. The 12 projects will create 698 affordable housing units spanning Pulaski, Washington, Columbia, Poinsett, Baxter, and Jackson counties.
$133 million in housing construction means one thing for local small businesses: a surge in demand for contractors, suppliers, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, property managers, and building materials vendors. Pulaski County alone received six of the 12 awards, with projects in Mabelvale and Little Rock from developers Domera Development, Phillips Development Corp., and Garth Development. Washington County (Fayetteville area) received two awards, including the Sullivan of Fayetteville project, which received $3 million in additional HOME funding.
Review the full list of 2026 LIHTC recipients at adfa.arkansas.gov, identify which developer is building near you, and reach out directly to introduce your business as a local vendor or subcontractor this week.
Italian Clean Energy Manufacturer Opens in North Little Rock, Granting 27 Jobs, and a Local Vendor Opportunity
CEP USA Inc., a leading Italian manufacturer of prefabricated electrical substations with operations in more than 80 countries, officially opened its first U.S. manufacturing facility in North Little Rock on May 19th. The company is investing nearly $1 million in the facility and expects to create approximately 27 new jobs over the next five years. The project was developed in partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) and the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.
CEP USA is partnering with two existing Arkansas businesses: SMA America (solar inverters) and Mountain Ridge Energy Service of Conway (repair and maintenance), which means this facility is already integrated into a local supply chain. For Central Arkansas small businesses in electrical components, industrial maintenance, logistics, catering, staffing, or business services, a new international manufacturer with a growing local workforce represents a concrete new client. Governor Sanders noted at the ribbon-cutting that Arkansas's strategic location and workforce were key to CEP's decision to locate here.
Visit the AEDC newsroom at arkansasedc.com and use the Little Rock Regional Chamber's supplier contact form (littlerockchamber.com) to introduce your business to the facility's operations team.
Free ASBTDC Marketing Workshops Blanketing Arkansas This Month In Multiple Locations
The ASBTDC is running its "Maximize Your Marketing Strategy" workshop series at multiple locations across Arkansas throughout June, all at no cost to attendees. Upcoming confirmed dates include: June 9th in Paragould at Generating Innovative Network (GIN), and June 24th in Van Buren at the Van Buren Chamber Business Resources Center. Each session covers goal-setting, marketing metrics, audience research, and time-saving best practices.
Marketing is consistently one of the top pain points reported by Arkansas small business owners, and these workshops are free, local, and facilitated by consultants who understand the Arkansas market. For a realtor in Little Rock trying to get more listings, a restaurant owner looking to drive foot traffic, or a retail shop in Paragould trying to compete with online stores, this is a two-hour investment that can clarify months of guesswork.
Pick the location nearest to you and register immediately for spots fill quickly. For Paragould, call 870-972-3517. For Van Buren, contact Ty Barrett at [email protected] or 479-833-1398.
Source (Paragould): https://jonesbororightnow.com/news/268862-a-state-asbtdc-to-host-free-maximize-your-marketing-strategy-workshop-in-paragould/
Source (Van Buren): https://www.sba.gov/event/82651
UA Little Rock Launches Arkansas's First AI Bachelor's Degree
UA Little Rock (UALR) is launching a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence beginning in the Fall of 2026, the first AI-specific undergraduate degree program in Arkansas. UALR's Board of Trustees approved the program in early 2026, and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education's sign-off was expected by April 2026. The degree is a stackable program, meaning students can earn certificates of proficiency and technical certificates within their first two years, making near-term workforce entrants available even before full four-year graduation cycles.
For a small business owner in Central Arkansas, this is a talent pipeline story. Within 12–18 months, UALR will be producing certificate-level AI graduates who can help local businesses automate workflows, analyze customer data, run AI-assisted marketing, and streamline operations. The program's "Customized AI Solutions for Business" track, facilitated by Tech-Entrepreneur-in-Residence Marla Johnson, is designed specifically to integrate AI into real business operations. Being an early employer-partner of this program is a low-cost way to get first access to this emerging talent pool.
Email UA Little Rock's Extended Education AI Training Coordinator, Marla Johnson, at [email protected] (listed at ualr.edu/continuingeducation/artificial-intelligence-courses/) to ask about employer partnership opportunities and internship pipelines launching in Fall 2026.
To stay in the know, subscribe here for weekly news that could benefit your business!
Thumbnail photo by Suzy Hazelwood: https://www.pexels.com/photo/stack-of-newspapers-3866816/