The public is invited to a community summit beginning at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at The Auditorium to meet Katherine Andrews, Arkansas’ director of outdoor recreation.

Andrews leads a new state office dedicated to growing economic development through outdoor recreation. Andrews had previously served since 2016 with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission as a project manager and later the director of small business and entrepreneurship development. The Outdoor Recreation Office is part of the Arkansas Parks, Heritage and Tourism Department and has a 10-person advisory board appointed by the governor.

Andrews will provide an overview of the new department and discuss opportunities and resources for economic development through outdoor recreation for Eureka Springs.

The summit also will include updates from Eureka Springs Parks & Recreation director Scott Miskiel and a Mayor’s Task Force progress report from chair Sandy Martin on technical trade centers, housing and workforce development. In addition, Kent Turner will introduce the Community Development Corporation of Eureka Springs, a 501(c)(3) organization to address affordable and workforce housing needs, and Madison Dawson will provide updates on the Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission.

After the summit, everyone is invited to tour the renovated space in the basement of the Auditorium.