Economic Development
EDCEst. 2002
Newport Economic Development Commission
Established 2002 by citizens of Newport
The Newport Economic Development Commission (NEDC) was created in 2002 by a vote of the citizens of Newport and it is those citizens that we work for each day. The Strategic Plan of the NEDC includes job-creation incentives to new and existing manufacturers, investing in infrastructure improvements to benefit business development, offering the ever popular ReNewport Grants to retail businesses and much more.
Retail sales in Newport continue to grow at a rate that exceeds both the national and state average. If you are looking for a new business home or just a great community in which to live, we'd love to visit with you about why we think Newport would be the perfect place!
Location & Access
Why Newport?
- 100 mi NW of Memphis, TN
- 96 mi from Little Rock via US-67
- 410 mi NE of Dallas, TX
- Future Interstate 57 corridor
- Union Pacific main line rail
- White River port development
A Personal Welcome
Message from the Director
Jon Chadwell, Executive Director
Welcome and thank you for visiting the homepage of the Newport Economic Development Commission (NEDC). The NEDC serves as the lead economic development contact in Newport and the primary source for information regarding the pro-business environment you will find here. We are committed to working closely with the existing business community as well as those contemplating new investment and/or relocation to Newport and Jackson County.
A little bit about us…located on the banks of the White River, Newport is strategically located in north central Arkansas approximately 100 miles northwest of Memphis, TN, 410 miles northeast of Dallas, TX, and 275 miles south of St. Louis, MO. Also, Newport is located only 96 miles from the state's Capitol and economic center, Little Rock, via U.S. 67, which is a four-lane controlled access highway. In addition to its location and pro-business environment, you will find that Newport is a community that affords a quality of life second to none.
Abundant and diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, advanced educational and training opportunities through Arkansas State University-Newport, strong public schools, and impressive health care facilities are just some of the things that make Newport a great place to live.
Again, thank you for browsing the NEDC homepage. If you have questions or desire more information, please contact us. We look forward to the opportunity to visit with you personally.
Innovation & Workforce
Tech Depot and DTech Park
$3.1 million state-of-the-art IT facility
Newport's Tech Depot and Downtown Technology Park are innovative strategies developed out of a collaboration between the Newport Economic Development Commission, the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences, and ASU-Newport. A $3.1 million state-of-the-art IT training facility is being constructed in downtown Newport to house Tech Depot through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The goal of Tech Depot is to provide quality Information Technology apprenticeship training for companies in northeast Arkansas and to create a world-class workforce to attract new technology companies. Until the new facility is ready, Tech Depot is housed in the historic Iron Mountain Railroad Depot.
DTech Park is built around the backbone of Ritter Communications fiber service in downtown Newport that can provide any speed required for IT companies. The combination of robust infrastructure and world-class IT training makes DTech Park and Tech Depot the perfect place for your IT business or to train your IT workforce.
Economic Development Commission
The Commission meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 AM at the Newport Business Resource Center, 209 Hazel Street
Members are appointed to five year terms by the Mayor and the City Council. The Commission guides the uses and expenditures of the 1/2% economic development sales tax collected in the city limits of Newport.
Commissioners
9 membersDean Sides
Chair
Jim Gowen, Sr.
Vice-Chair
Mike Turner
Treasurer
Scott Foushee
Commissioner
Benjy Harris
Commissioner
Tommy Okada
Commissioner
Nyesha Greer
Commissioner
Dr. Johnny Moore
Commissioner
Lee Scoggins
Commissioner
Staff
4 membersJon Chadwell
Executive Director
Julie Allen
Director of Chamber Affairs
Crystal Fulmer
Asst. Director of Finance & Business Services
Christel Taylor
Director of Downtown & Workforce Development
Start A Business
How to start your small business in Newport, Arkansas
Communities Unlimited, the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce and the Newport Economic Development Commission have been working with a group of local volunteers to design the ultimate guide to helping you start your own business right here in Newport. This guide will take you step-by-step through the process of assessing, setting up and eventually operating your business. Complete with local resources and contact numbers, the Business Start Up Kit is the best tool you can use to build a solid plan for starting and marketing your business.
Learn more about the kit, preview what's inside, and download it on the Newport Business Starter Kit page.
If you have questions about any part of the kit or about starting a business in Newport, please feel free to call the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at (870) 523-3618 or the Newport Economic Development Commission at (870) 523-1009.
Free Download
Business Starter Kit
The complete step-by-step guide to starting your business in Newport, Arkansas.
Open Starter KitIncentives
Programs to encourage business development in Newport and Jackson County
Questions?
Get in touch with NEDC
Questions About Incentives?
Contact us at (870) 523-1009 or director@newportaredc.org for more information.
Available Programs
The NEDC has created a funding pool of $25,000 to help small businesses in the city limits of Newport make needed improvements to the exterior of their buildings, parking lots or grounds.
The grant is a 50% matching grant, meaning the business/building owner pays half and the NEDC awards a grant for the other half. Maximum grant: $2,500 (50% of up to a $5,000 project). Can be used for any exterior renovations to a building or property that houses an active business or will within 30 days.
Grants awarded on a first qualified application, first funded basis, starting January 15. Applications accepted until the pool of funds is exhausted. Submit to: NEDC, 201 Hazel Street, Newport, AR 72112. Can be mailed, delivered, faxed to (870) 523-1055, or emailed to director@newportaredc.org.
The NEDC offers incentives based on job creation to qualifying manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and non-locally competitive businesses.
Incentive funds are in the form of a forgivable loan that can be repaid through the creation of jobs or cash payment at the end of the agreement period. The amount is based on a per job calculation that varies according to average wage, corporate investment, length of the contract and other factors.
Incentives are given solely at the discretion of the NEDC and require a vote of the Commission. Applications include a narrative of the project, a business plan, business and personal financial documents and tax returns for existing businesses. All information is considered confidential.
Meeting & Event Facilities
Venues available for meetings, events, and gatherings
Statistics & Demographics
Census data and labor statistics for Newport and Jackson County
Census Data
Year 2010
2010 Census Data
Year 2000
2000 Census Data
Year 1990
1990 Census Data
Additional Resources
Transportation
Multi-modal connectivity for business logistics
Modes & Connections
5 modesNewport and Jackson County are served with outstanding connections to the state and national highway system. Future Interstate 57 (US Highway 67) connects Newport to I-30, I-40, and I-55. Eleven different state highways connect the county to the state highway system.
Union Pacific System — Main Line
Days Transit Time
Chicago
3 Days
Dallas
3 Days
Kansas City
3 Days
Los Angeles
10 Days
St. Louis
2 Days
Newport is served by several motor freight carriers:
Under Development
White River Regional Port Authority is developing a port on the banks of the White River in Newport. Interested parties should contact Jon Chadwell: 201 Hazel Street, Newport, AR 72112, (870) 523-1009, director@newportaredc.org
Nearest Terminal — 85 mi
Osceola Port is 85 miles from Newport; it is the closest general purpose river terminal with a rice grain terminal. Contact: Jeff Worsham, 1923 E County Road 718, Osceola, AR 72370, (870) 622-0204, Fax: (870) 563-5290
Newport Municipal Airport — Longest Runway: 5,002 ft. paved surface, lighted runway, high density approach, fuel available.
Jonesboro Municipal Airport — 42 miles east-northeast of Newport.
Little Rock International Airport — 94.9 miles southwest of Newport, full-service airport.
Memphis International Airport — 101.3 miles southeast of Newport, full-service airport.
Other Economic Development Organizations
Groups working together to grow and improve Newport and Jackson County
Partner Organizations
4 groupsD.R.I.V.E. is a non-profit dedicated to the revitalization and improvement of the 14-block downtown improvement district designated by the City of Newport. Working with multiple partners, DRIVE coordinates efforts to stimulate growth in the historic downtown area. Downtown Newport is now a member of the Arkansas Downtown Network. Projects include the Downtown Sidewalk and Lighting Transportation Enhancement Grant, Front Street Entertainment Park, Jackson County Veterans Memorial, Monster Nights Downtown Entertainment Series, Depot Days Festival, Delta Arts Festival, and business growth. Current project: transforming the former Hutchins furniture building into the Jane Parnell Performance Hall and the Rock N Roll Highway Museum. Contact D.R.I.V.E. at (870) 523-3618.
The Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation is a private economic development group dedicated to economic development projects in Jackson County. JCIDC most often partners with other local economic development groups on cooperative projects. Projects include the Downtown Sidewalk Project, Commerce Boulevard Project, D.R.I.V.E. Property Acquisition Project, Jackson County Road and Rail Spur Project, and Rice Road Paving. Contact: Jim Gowen, Sr., P.O. Box 650, Newport, AR 72112, (870) 523-3601.
The Newport Industrial Development Association is a private economic development group dedicated to economic development projects in Newport. Projects include the Downtown Sidewalk Project, Commerce Boulevard Project, D.R.I.V.E. Property Acquisition Project, Jackson County Road and Rail Spur Project, and Rice Road Paving. Contact: Edward Boyce, 515 2nd Street, Newport, AR 72112, (870) 523-5242.
The Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Bond Board is a public-private economic development group with the authority to authorize bonds for economic development projects in Jackson County. The Bond Board also maintains a number of available industrial sites and properties, which it allows the NEDC to use for recruitment of new industries or expansion of existing industries. Contact: Terry Dillon, 1100 Nancy Street, Newport, AR 72112, (870) 217-1764.
Economic Development Links
State, national, and regional economic development resources
AEDC leads statewide economic development, creates targeted strategies which produce better paying jobs, promotes communities, and supports the training and growth of a 21st century skilled workforce.
Arkansas' largest source of low-cost financing for low-to-moderate income housing development, small industries, government, education, agricultural business enterprise and health care.
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas are private, non-profit corporations that work together to continually enhance the economic climate in Arkansas.
Arkansas' Business Development team offers resources vital to the search for a new business location or expansion -- buildings and sites, workforce options, business intelligence, innovative incentives and quality of life.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas serve approximately 490,000 homes, farms, businesses and industries, encompassing more than 60 percent of the state's land area.
The Arkansas State University College of Business center coordinates economic development outreach services for the Arkansas Delta.
Located at UALR, the Institute provides specialized services supporting economic advancement of Arkansas, available to businesses, governmental units, and communities throughout the state.
Connects Arkansas to the world by providing international trade services to companies and individuals and educating students in global commerce. Part of the World Trade Centers Association with over 300 centers in 90+ countries.
An association of professional and volunteer economic developers in Arkansas, organized for advancing the quality of life through employment opportunities and economic growth.
A non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession.
The oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America, with members in 17 states in the American South.
Ready to Grow Your Business Here?
Contact the NEDC for site selection assistance, incentive information, and workforce resources.
Get in Touch
Have questions? Select the organization you'd like to contact below.
Contacting
Economic Development Commission
- 201 Hazel Street Newport, AR 72112
- (870) 523-1009
- director@newportaredc.org
- Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM