Best of Siloam Springs

By Karen Rice T ell us about your first three years as president and CEO of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce? I am very thankful for the opportunity to have served the Siloam Springs community for the last three years. I have met so many great people who care about the community and who have a persistent entrepreneurial spirit. During the last three years, we have been reminded that life is short and we should not take things for granted. Two examples include the ability to see someone's smile without a mask and the ability to physically be with people we care about. In spite of COVID, the last three years have been an exciting time of Chamber membership growth and relevance through service offered to the business community, nonprofits and schools. Four of the biggest accomplishments over the last three years include assisting businesses obtain needed grants; hosting very successful Dogwood festivals; helping 35 businesses get started; and opening the Siloam Springs Maker Space, which provides a space for creative people of all ages to access 3D printers, a laser engraver, and various other tools. Other accomplishments from the last three years include the hosting of a successful job fair to help connect businesses with quality talent; the formation of a women and minority scholarship fund that provides resources to business people who might not otherwise have access; and the continuing of events for connection in the community, such as First Friday Coffees, CEO & HR Round Tables, ribbon cuttings, candidate forums, golf tournaments, honor graduate luncheons, annual banquets, Holly Jolly Christmas Yard Decorating Contest, and back-to- school breakfasts. e Siloam Chamber has also been focusing on improving our approach to serving the Hispanic business community with an interpreter and website materials in Spanish. None of this would have been possible without the many incredible volunteers, sponsors, ambassadors, chamber and city board of directors, and chamber staff team. What's on the horizon for Siloam Springs? Siloam Springs has a very bright Arthur Hulbert Q&A with Arthur Hulbert President & CEO Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce 16 • Best of Siloam Springs Wednesday, March 29, 2023 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader https://www.nlcss.com/ P.O. Box 100 • 1401 E. Main St. • Siloam Springs, AR 479-524-3121 www.backstrom-pyeatte.com Proud to Serve Siloam SpringS

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