Spotlight On

Arkansas

rootEd Arkansas is a partnership between rootEd Alliance, Heartland Forward, and the Arkansas Department of Education focused on strengthening the talent pipeline in Arkansas’s rural communities and developing their local economies. Launched in the fall of 2024, rootEd Arkansas is initially focusing on rural communities in the Ozark Mountains and the Arkansas River Valley and is serving 13 schools in the 2025-2026 academic year.

“I am thankful for Heartland Forward and rootEd Arkansas’s investment in our students’ education as we continue to work together to strengthen our job market and make Arkansas the best place to live and work, no matter the size of the community.”

— Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Heartland Forward is a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank that turns ideas into action for states and local communities. Our mission is to accelerate economic growth, change the narrative about the middle of the country and generate $500 million of economic impact to the heartland by 2030. We do this through applied research, community-driven programs, policy and convenings—focusing on regional competitiveness, talent pipeline and health and wellness.
heartlandforward.org/rooted

“At Heartland Forward, we're proud to partner with rootEd Alliance in Arkansas to provide students with the resources and guidance they need to build their futures and achieve success. This program guides students toward the best postsecondary pathways for their unique interests and talents while showcasing their opportunities in their local communities.”

– Ali Jeffrey, Director of rootEd Arkansas