Pictured left to right: Sasha Grist, Executive Director of Western Arkansas Planning and Development District, Tracy Burba, owner of Main Street Mercantile and Van Buren Municipal Utilities Commissioner, Shannon Newerth-Henson, Community Outreach Specialist for My HR Pros and Van Buren City Council Member, and Julie Murray, President & CEO of the Van Buren Chamber


Community Leaders Selected to Strengthen Van Buren Through Statewide 75Strong Program
Van Buren, AR – February 18, 2025
Tracy Burba, owner of Main Street Mercantile and Van Buren Municipal Utilities Commissioner, Sasha Grist, Executive Director of Western Arkansas Planning and Development District,  Shannon Newerth- Henson, Community Outreach Specialist for My HR Pros and Van Buren City Council Member, and Julie Murray, President & CEO of the Van Buren Chamber have been selected to represent Van Buren in the inaugural cohort of 75Strong, a statewide program designed to empower local leaders to build stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems, support small businesses, and drive economic growth.
Led by Conductor and Startup Junkie, and funded by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), 75Strong equips participants with the tools, training, and resources needed to address the unique challenges facing entrepreneurs and small businesses in Arkansas. Conductor, based in Conway, is a public-private partnership dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses in Arkansas through education, programming, and consulting - all at no-cost. The program is funded by AEDC, the state agency responsible for creating economic opportunities and supporting workforce development throughout Arkansas.
"This cohort is full of driven, passionate community leaders who will be change-makers in their community and this state," said Grace Rains, Executive Director of Conductor, "we cannot wait to work with all of these individuals, and learn from them and their communities as they grow their local economies and lower barriers to entrepreneurship"
As part of 75Strong, Tracy, Sasha, Shannon and Julie will engage in a two-year entrepreneurial development program and earn the Entrepreneurial Development Professional (EDP) certification from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This nationally recognized credential equips participants with tools to develop strategic plans tailored to their communities, foster economic growth, and provide direct support to small businesses and startups.
Sasha Grist stated, “I am delighted to join this innovative, statewide program designed to foster entrepreneurship, empower leaders, and support small businesses. Over the next two years, I'll have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow leaders across the state, learning from and growing with one another. I'm especially excited to bring these insights back to the communities within the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District. Additionally, I look forward to working with the Van Buren team and immersing myself in their project!”
 
Through this program, these community leaders will also help recruit businesses in Van Buren to participate in a statewide business-building curriculum and collaborate with local stakeholders to implement initiatives that foster job creation and economic resilience. These efforts aim to strengthen Van Buren's entrepreneurial ecosystem while driving long-term growth and innovation.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn how to grow our local economy alongside Tracy, Sasha and Julie over the next two years in 75Strong.  I look forward to working with them to develop and launch plans to support small businesses and create jobs right here in Van Buren,” stated Shannon Newerth-Henson.
The 75Strong program is unique in its focus on creating sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems by bringing together leaders from diverse communities—urban and rural—across Arkansas. The program emphasizes collaboration, targeted support, and hands-on learning to address the unique needs of Arkansas’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. Leaders like Tracy, Sasha, Shannon, and Julie will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their regions by using the tools and strategies gained through 75Strong to empower local businesses and foster innovation.
For more information about the 75Strong program, visit 75strongarkansas.com.
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About the Conductor
The Conductor, a public-private partnership with the University of Central Arkansas and Startup Junkie, drives innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment in central Arkansas and beyond through high-impact programming and one-on-one consulting at no cost. Conductor also manages the coworking, meeting space, and lease space at the Arnold Innovation Center at 1201 Oak Street Conway, AR, which offers low-cost solutions to the workspace needs of central Arkansas entrepreneurs and small business owners.