Maumelle Chamber to have annual banquet April 2
Maumelle Planning Commission meets tonight; Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce launches Build Maumelle plus headlines and sports, Also, Thanks Collin!
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MEETING: The Maunelle Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight and for more, keep scrolling. Since next Monday is the fifth Monday of the month, there’s no City Council meetings North of the River. Enjoy Spring Break city council members, etc.
EVENTS: Arkansas plays Arizona at 8:45 p.m. tonight in the Sweet 16. The game will be televised by CBS and the winner plays again Saturday for a trip to the Final Four. This is Arkansas’s fifth trip to the Sweet 16 in the last six years but haven’t been to the Final Four in 31 years with the last time being in 1995. Or also known at the year the Hogs lost in the championship game to UCLA. Read the pregame notes by clicking here. But no spoilers as some of us have tickets to the Jason Isbell show at the Robinson Center tonight.
Thanks Collin!
Collin Scott’s internship at ArkansasNewsroom.com has come to an end and a big thank you to him for doing some fine work covering high school sports. Also thanks to Rob Moritz and Dr. Donna Lampkin Stephens at UCA for including the site in the school’s internship program.
Maumelle Planning Commission meets tonight
It should be a quick meeting for the Maumelle Planning Commission tonight.
Should be, of course, carries some weight but there’s only two items of business on the agenda and both have requested to be deferred to April 23.
So, there’s really no business but for the agenda, click here.
The meeting is open to the public and is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
The meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page and we’ll report back next week on its actual length.
Maumelle Chamber to have annual banquet April 2
The Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce will host its highly anticipated Annual Banquet on Wednesday, April 2, from 6:00–8:30 p.m. at Venue 10. The evening will celebrate the Chamber’s accomplishments in 2025 while recognizing the individuals and businesses that have made a lasting impact on the Maumelle community.
The event will begin with a networking reception from 6:00–6:45 p.m., providing attendees an opportunity to connect with local leaders, business owners, and community partners before the awards program begins.
The banquet will highlight the Chamber’s progress over the past year and honor outstanding members of the community through several prestigious awards, including:
Business of the Year
Person of the Year
Veteran of the Year
Student of the Year
Educator of the Year
In addition to these recognitions, the Chamber will present special honors celebrating individuals and organizations whose dedication has helped strengthen Maumelle’s business environment and community spirit.
The evening will also feature a special guest presentation from Arkansas author, historian, and public affairs leader Rex Nelson. A widely respected voice on Arkansas history, culture, and economic development, Nelson has spent decades highlighting the stories and people that shape the Natural State. His remarks will provide insight into Arkansas’ heritage, leadership, and the importance of strong local communities like Maumelle.
“This banquet is one of our favorite nights of the year,” said Kellie Wall, President and CEO of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce. “It gives us the opportunity to reflect on the incredible accomplishments of our business community, celebrate the people who make Maumelle such a special place, and look ahead to the opportunities that lie before us.”
Adding excitement to the evening, the Chamber will also host a raffle for a stunning $10,000 flawless diamond, perfectly complementing this year’s “Fire & Ice” theme. Raffle tickets are available now, and participants do not need to be present to win.
Tickets for the banquet are currently on sale. Community members, business leaders, and supporters are encouraged to attend and take part in this special evening celebrating Maumelle’s achievements and those who help drive its success.
For more information or to purchase banquet or raffle tickets, please contact the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce at 501-851-9700 or bri@maumellechamber.com.
Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce launches Build Maumelle
The Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of its new Entrepreneurial Support Organization called “Build Maumelle,” an initiative designed to support the growth and success of local entrepreneurs and small businesses through education, connections, and strategic resources.
Build Maumelle will serve as a hub for entrepreneurs at all stages, from startups to established businesses seeking expansion, by connecting them with mentors, capital sources, and practical tools needed to succeed in today’s competitive business environment.
“As Maumelle continues to grow, it’s important that our entrepreneurs and small businesses have the support systems they need to thrive,” said Kellie Wall, President and CEO of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce. “[It] will help bring together the resources, relationships, and expertise that entrepreneurs need to start, grow, and expand their businesses right here in our community.”
The organization will host its first training session on Tuesday, March 31, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mira at Maumelle. The event will feature a panel discussion focused on sources of capital for businesses, including funding opportunities for startup growth, business expansion, and strategic investment.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from financial professionals and capital providers, ask questions about funding options, and gain insight into navigating the financing landscape for their businesses.
The event will also include networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community partners, along with heavy hors d’oeuvres and beer and wine provided for attendees by Mira at Maumelle.
The Chamber hopes the new initiative will strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Maumelle by fostering collaboration, increasing access to resources, and supporting long-term economic growth.
Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community partners interested in attending are encouraged to participate in this inaugural session and connect with others working to build and grow businesses in the region.
For more information about the Maumelle Entrepreneurial Support Organization or to attend the event, contact the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce at kellie@maumellechamber.com or visit www.maumellechamber.com.
Health
Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health didn’t update the state’s dashboard this week, again, and deaths still total 532 for the past year. There’s no tab created for 2025 either and the virus has now killed 14,162 Arkansans since the pandemic began then. That would mean the pandemic death toll has now passed Marion’s 13,635 people, the state’s 29th largest city.
Covid toolkit
There’s now a one-stop shop to learn about vaccination sites and other Covid related information. Click here to learn more.
If you don’t want to get sick and die, there’s some things you can do:
Get vaccinated
Get boosted
Wear a mask
Avoid crowds



