PRESS RELEASE

183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832

870-584-1124

www.cccua.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12 February 2021

CONTACT: Ben Renfrow, Marketing Coordinator

The first annual FRIENDS Foundation meeting took place on Friday, February 5, 2021, at 11:30 A.M. at the De Queen Herman Dierks Park community building. FRIENDS is a foundation that was established to help Sevier County grow through economic development projects and activities. Twenty-eight people attended the meeting, and five attended via zoom.

The history of FRIENDS and the Sevier County Economic Development department was discussed during the meeting. Membership and funding progress toward the annual budget was also covered. The meeting concluded with the election of the 2021 FRIENDS Foundation Board of Directors.

The FRIENDS Foundation Board of Directors includes President Mike Branson, Vice-President Greg Revels, Secretary/Treasurer Jay Bunyard, Dr. Steve Cole, Jimmy Bristow, Angie Walker, and Ned Hendrix.

Jeff Tollett and Dion Cooper from REA were invited to the meeting as special guests to announce to the foundation members that REA has plans to enter broadband service in our community and answered questions about that process.

The FRIENDS Board of Directors had its first directors’ meeting on Friday, February 12, 2021, at UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus in the Weyerhaeuser room at 11:30 A.M. At the meeting, they met with a hotel developer to gain insights on hospitality conditions since the pandemic hit. They also discussed leadership training opportunities for our community to consider.

All individuals of Sevier County are encouraged and welcome to join FRIENDS. Membership for the year is granted with any donation of $100 or more. For any questions about the Sevier County FRIENDS

Foundation, please contact Sevier County Economic Development Director Tiffany Maurer at tmaurer@cccua.edu or 870-584-1184.###