On Wednesday, November 4, Dr. Steve Cole, Chancellor at UA Cossatot, addressed community leaders at a luncheon at UA Cossatot as the FRIENDS Foundation announced a $1 million grant award for Sevier County small business assistance.

UA Cossatot’s Economic Development Department is the recipient of the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program Grant. Partner organizations include FRIENDS Foundation, the City of De Queen, Sevier County Chamber of Commerce, Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC), and Sevier County University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

The award period for this grant is two years. Its purpose is to provide entrepreneur and small business resources and opportunities through training, informative announcements, downtown revitalization, and mentorship.

Project lead and Sevier County Economic Development Director Tiffany Maurer said, “The SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program Grant will provide resources to small businesses in Sevier County. This million dollar grant will be used to provide training, financial literacy education, loan assistance, and informative services to all of our local businesses in English and Spanish. We’re honored to be one of only 51 organizations chosen out of more than 700 applicants in the country and look forward to the opportunity to support our small businesses.”

To learn about the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program Grant or to become a member of FRIENDS, contact Tiffany Maurer at 870-584-1184 or tmaurer@cccua.edu.

Pictured from left to right: Mike Branson (president of FRIENDS Foundation), Dr. Steve Cole (UA Cossatot Chancellor), Christy McCullough (Executive Director of Sevier County Chamber of Commerce), Janet Cantrell (Sevier County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences), Brandi House (Family and Community Enrichment Specialist for CADC De Queen office), Paul Wells (Planning and Development Manager for CADC administration office), Rex Herring (Sevier County Extension Agriculture Staff Chair), Ned Hendrix (President of Horatio State Bank), Greg Revels (owner, Revels & Company CPA's), and Tiffany Maurer (economic development director for Sevier County). Not pictured: Jeff Brown (De Queen Mayor), Greg Ray (Sevier County Judge).