City of Little Rock

Friends, 

As the catalyst for the region's economic growth, Little Rock has a responsibility to cultivate a trained, capable workforce while at the same time providing tangible work experience for our youth. Research shows that when a student has a summer job, his or her long-term employability increases. That's the reason behind the City of Little Rock's annual Summer Youth Employment Opportunity program. 

The Summer Youth Employment program connects students to real-life workplace opportunities within our City. This paid opportunity is available to Little Rock residents ages 16 to 21. Participants are matched with a complementary Little Rock employer and are paid a competitive wage.

Participants must commit to working 32 hours a week during a six-week period in June and July. The City will support about 700 student workers through this successful annual program. Benefits are much more than just a paycheck. Students learn the skills they need for the future and have the chance to build lasting friendships and connections. 

My office is among the approximately 200 work sites that annually participate in the Summer Youth Employment Opportunity program, and I am often amazed by the work ethic and sense of responsibility I find in our City's youth. For businesses and nonprofits, hosting a summer intern means helping grow a student's chance for long-term success in the job market. 

The City of Little Rock annually invests more than $1 million in the Summer Youth Employment Opportunity program to cover payroll and worker's compensation insurance for student participants. Our Department of Community Programs provides mentors that ensure all participants and worksites are safe and are the appropriate fits.

This year for the first time, we will empower participants with the tools they need to build wealth and financial stability. Thanks to a grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, we will partner with HOPE Federal Credit Union to offer financial literacy training and bank accounts to interns. 

We can't wait to welcome this year's participants and worksites. To learn more about the Summer Youth Employment Opportunity program, visit the City's website.

Applications are available both for student workers and for businesses interested in hosting participants this summer. Those interested in becoming a worksite should go to www.tinyurl.com/SYEOsite24 and complete the application.

Student applications are due by March 24. Worksite applications must be submitted by May 3.

In coming months, we will roll out more details about how we are transforming our Summer Youth Employment Opportunity program as we move toward 2025 - another example of how we are achieving Results for the Rock!

As I shared in my recent State of the City address, we are launching Little Rock Career Climb. Through that, we will expand our Summer Youth Employment Program to offer a year-round apprenticeship opportunity for Little Rock residents. Working with community partners, Little Rock schools, and institutions of higher education, we will continue to foster opportunities for workforce development growth and lifelong learning. Stay tuned for more details!

Marathon Weekend Approaches

The first weekend in March brings excitement, enthusiasm and engagement to Arkansas's capital city as runners from around the world descend on Little Rock for the annual marathon. The 22nd annual Little Rock Marathon is sold out this year -- a statement about the popularity of the event, the eagerness to earn one of our signature, oversized finisher's medals and the commitment of the Little Rock Marathon team that makes it all possible.

The annual event is a success because of leaders like Executive Director Geneva Lamm, Race Director Mike Garrity, our sponsors, volunteers and participants. We are consistently identifying new ways to strengthen our running community and improve quality of life and place. For example, on race weekend, that means making for a better overall experience by adjusting hours of the annual Health and Fitness Expo to better serve attendees. The rest of the year, it involves building relationships with local runners and fostering a sense of pride, demonstrated through Little Rock's selection as a Runner Friendly Community.

Race weekend this year kicks off with the Health and Fitness Expo at the Statehouse Convention Center. This free, two-day event features more than 50 exhibitors offering products and services. The Expo is also race headquarters, where athletes, volunteers and spectators can meet, trade stories and prepare for all marathon-associated events. Packet pickup also takes place at the Expo, which runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 1, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

The 5K and 10K races start at 7:30 a.m. Saturday on La Harpe Boulevard north of the Convention Center. That serves as the start and finish for all races. Following the 5K/10K, there is the Little Rockers Kids Marathon at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The Marathon and Half-Marathon are Sunday, with both starting at 8 a.m. 

I encourage you to visit the Little Rock Marathon website to learn more. That site includes a course map, road closures and complete details about events and helpful information for athletes, volunteers and spectators.

It takes an amazing team of race officials, first responders, support staff and volunteers to provide a safe and enjoyable Marathon experience. I appreciate everyone who works to make the Little Rock Marathon a huge success year after year.

More Jobs for Little Rock

The City of Little Rock drives economic development and jobs growth for the region, and we highlighted that again last week as Total Quality Logistics (TQL) announced the opening of its newest office right here in our City. TQL hopes to scale up to at least 100 jobs in Little Rock. One of the world's largest third-party logistics firms, it continues to grow. Company leaders recognized the need to expand to Little Rock, a transportation and logistics hub at the crossroads of two of the nation's busiest interstate highways.

The Little Rock region was responsible for nearly 60 percent of all the jobs growth for the entire state of Arkansas last year, and with this announcement we have kicked off 2024 with another strong start. Through cooperation and collaboration with the Little Rock Regional Chamber and the Arkansas Economic Development Corporation, companies take notice of our strong economy and our diverse, skilled, ready workforce.

We welcome TQL as we join with our economic development counterparts in our commitment to promote workforce readiness and support to help it and all our growing companies expand and prosper.

The Week Ahead

• The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. At this session, Board members will set the agenda for their next regular meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages. 
• The Little Rock Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission is among the sponsors of a screening of the film "Rustin," scheduled for 6:30 p.m. today (Monday, Feb. 26), at Central Arkansas Library System's Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Ave. Click here to learn more.
• Join us Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Jack Stephens Center as the University of Arkansas-Little Rock men's and women's basketball teams celebrate Little Rock Night. The women's team plays Tennessee State starting at 5 p.m., followed by the men's team at 8 p.m. 
• The Public Works Department is hosting a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, to discuss improvements to North Polk Street and drainage improvements on L Street. The meeting is at Calvary Baptist Church, 5700 Cantrell Road.
• Don't forget the multiple events Friday, Saturday and Sunday as part of the Little Rock Marathon. The Little Rock Marathon Health and Fitness Expo is Friday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center. The 5K and 10K start at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, with the Little Rockers Kids Marathon at 11 a.m. that day. On Sunday, March 3, the 22nd annual Little Rock Marathon and Half-Marathon start at 8 a.m. All races begin and end on La Harpe Boulevard directly behind the Statehouse Convention Center.