LITTLE ROCK - Researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be travelling across the state in the coming months, holding sessions designed to help local communities use data tools they developed for economic and community development.Frank Seo, extension professor of rural development for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the "Rural Profile Road Show" is an effort to both highlight the information available in extension's recently published 2025 Rural Profile of Arkansas and to help local communities understand how they can access even greater layers of data."We aim to engage directly with community leaders to share the fundamentals of using impactful data, explain why it matters and clarify how it can inform local decision-making," Seo said. "We highlight the types of data most useful for planning and demonstrate practical applications of the Rural Profile in their work." Additionally, Seo said, the engagement sessions will premiere the recently launched Labor Market Observatory dashboard, which will offer timely insights on employment, wages and industry trends to support effective community planning.The road show will kicked off with an online session on Sept. 18. Additionally, there are three in-person events scheduled for locations throughout Arkansas: Magnolia on Oct. 9, Pine Bluff on Oct. 23 and Fayetteville on Nov. 6. Each session will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon. Attendance is free, and registration for each of the events is available online."We selected Magnolia, Pine Bluff and Fayetteville to represent different regions of the state and provide diverse perspectives on rural challenges and opportunities," Seo said. "Each location has active community partners and a strong interest in using data for local planning, making them ideal hosts for these conversations." Seo said that if other communities express interest for a road show visit, he and his team ...
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