Case Studies

Fort Smith Regional Alliance

Boyette Strategic Advisors (BSA) recently completed a Regional Economic Development Strategic Blueprint (Blueprint) for the Fort Smith Regional Alliance that focused on truly leveraging all assets in the region and helping to secure a competitive position globally.  The Fort Smith region consists of six counties in Arkansas, (Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Sebastian and Scott) and two counties in Oklahoma (Le Flore and Sequoyah).  The preparation of the Blueprint involved the development of a Regional Assessment, which, in addition to in-depth research, included a shared regional visioning meeting with more than 30 participants; interviews/group discussions and online surveys of more than 1,100 people; a tour of the Fort Smith region and review of other recent key information and reports.

Based on the results of the Regional Assessment, review of the existing business/industry base, research on emerging sectors both nationally and in the Fort Smith region; and a review of support programs in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and in the Fort Smith region for each potential sector, BSA identified six primary targeted business sectors for the Fort Smith region to focus its efforts over the next five years.  Targeted business sector profiles were prepared for each identified sector.  In addition, strategic recommendations were developed to advance the growth and development of each identified targeted business sector and of the Fort Smith region in general.

An implementation/action plan was also been developed to provide a roadmap for achieving the recommendations outlined in the strategy.