Southwest Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority

To encourage, support, and aide economic growth and development for the southwest Arkansas region. We do this through improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the area’s transportation systems. Ultimately, we work to make sure our business and industry leaders can rely on a quality transportation network to facilitate their business endeavors.

Beckie Moore with the Hope Downtown Newtork with Brandi Tuttle and Christy Burns
LITTLE ROCK – Meet Christy Burns and Brandi Tuttle, two leaders from Hope committed to unlocking their community’s entrepreneurial potential. As Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Program Coordinator for Hempstead County Economic Development, they’re building a thriving local ecosystem by leveraging Hope’s unique assets.

Home to the Watermelon Festival, Klipsch Speakers, and the birthplace of President Bill Clinton and former governor and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Hope is focused on connecting its historic identity with the energy of downtown entrepreneurs. They hold weekly “Community Coffee” events to bring residents and business leaders together at rotating local venues.

Hope was recently accepted into the Arkansas Main Street program, opening up funding and design resources for downtown revitalization. One major project underway is transforming a historic storefront into an incubator space for entrepreneurs in one of Hope’s busiest areas.

They’re also working to improve business development services—starting with new bilingual resources after hearing from a local business owner that language access could help more Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs launch businesses. Christy and Brandi bring the spirit of 75Strong to life—turning local pride into real, lasting progress.