Each year, the SWREDA Board of Directors selects five Star of the Southwest Awardees—one from each state—to showcase their positive impact on a community’s or region’s economic vitality. Learn about the projects, including funding, partnerships, impact, and future plans during this session.

1. 2023 Star of the
Southwest Awards
2023 SWREDA CONFERENCE
MAY 3 – 5 NEW ORLEANS, LA

2. Five Stars
Western Arkansas Planning Development District, Fort Smith, AR
PEAK Innovation Center
Ark-Tex Council of Governments, Texarkana, TX
Reconstitution of the Red River Leadership Institute
Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, Gallup, NM
Prewitt Industrial Cluster Master Plan and Design
Southern Oklahoma Development Association, Durant, OK
Aerospace Technology Training Center
Capital Region Planning Commission, Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana Broadband Initiative Targeting Strategy

3. PEAK Innovation Center
Western Arkansas Planning
Development District, Fort Smith, AR

4. PEAK Innovation Center
• Collaboration of Fort Smith Public Schools, local businesses,
and University of Arkansas
• Designed and built PEAK Innovation Center; serves students
form 22 school districts from 6 counties
• Curriculum focus on science, technology, engineering,
manufacturing
• $1,400,000 EDA investment
• $8,450,000 private investments
• $16,839,930 other federal, state, and local investments

5. PEAK Innovation Center

6. Reconstitution of the
Red River Leadership
Institute
Ark-Tex Council of Governments,
Texarkana, TX

7. • Partnership of 4 states including 3
EDDs
• Leadership skills curriculum that
addresses talent, technology, and
tolerance
• Monthly training including site visits
• $260,470 EDA investment
• $111,630 other federal, state, local
investments

8. Partner
Organizations
 North Texas Economic
Development District
 Southwest Arkansas Planning
& Development District
 Kiamichi Economic
Development District of
Oklahoma
 Oklahoma State University
McCurtain County Extension
 Shreveport, LA Chamber of
Commerce
 US Economic Development
Administration

9. Prewitt Industrial
Cluster Master Plan
and Design
Northwest New Mexico Council of
Governments, Gallup, NM

10. Prewitt Industrial Cluster Master Plan and Design
• 625.85 acre master-planned industrial development
project
• Direct access to I-40 and BNSF Southern Transcon
• Great location with easy access for transportation
logistics, low-front-end capital investment,
development incentives, and quick move-in
• Designed to support warehouse/logistics, energy
supply, and manufacturing operations
• $988,400 EDA investment (ACC grant)
• $5,000,000 Private investment
• 125 jobs created/retained to date

11. Partner
Organizations
 Greater Gallup Economic Development
Corporation
 Cibola Communities Economic Development
Foundation
 New Mexico State Land Office
 New Mexico Department of Workforce
Solutions
 Tri-State
 Continental Divide Electric Co-op
 New Mexico Economic Development
Department
 New Mexico Economic Development
Department
 Wilson & Company
 McKinley County
 Cibola County
 The State Legislature of New Mexico
 US Economic Development Administration

12. Aerospace Technology
Training Center
Southern Oklahoma Development
Association, Durant, OK

13. The 18,775 sq ft Center will house classrooms, labs, and an
airplane specific parking lot with access to the building
Hands-on training with real equipment and aircraft
Full-time, 1 year program; 25 students per term; 3 terms
per year
$4,000,000 EDA investment (CARES Act)
$2,312,634 Other federal, state, and local investments
Goal: create/retain 340 high-demand, high-paying jobs in 5
years
Aerospace Technology Training Center

14. Project Partners
 Aero Star Aviation
 Ardmore Municipal Airport
 Evans Composites
 Jet Support Services, Inc.
 Federal Aviation
Administration
 King Aerospace
 Oklahoma Aeronautics
Commission
 Oklahoma Career Tech
 US Economic Development
Administration

15. Louisiana Broadband
Initiative Targeting
Strategy
Capital Region Planning Commission, Baton
Rouge, LA

16. •Collaboration of all 8 Planning Districts
•Focus: coverage maps, identification of regional
priorities, and a statewide broadband strategy
•Includes a statewide digital equity plan
•$700,000 EDA investment
•$200,000 Other federal, state, and local investment
•$117,024,555 Total private investment
Louisiana
Broadband
Initiative Targeting
Strategy

17. Project Partners
 Louisiana DOTD
 BEL Commission (State of Louisiana)
 Office of Broadband Connectivity
(ConnectLA)
 US Economic Development Administration
 LA Association of PDDs:
 Regional Planning Commission
 Capital Region Planning
Commission
 South Central Planning &
Development Commission
 Acadiana Planning Commission
 Imperial Calcasieu Regional
Planning & Development District
 Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning
& Development District
 Coordinating & Development
District
 North Delta Regional Planning &
Development District

18. 2023 Star
of the Southwest
Awards
Awards Roundtable Reception
5:00 until 6:30 p.m.
2nd Floor Pre-function Lobby