About Us

The Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development (OPED) is a 501(c)(6) corporation serving as the lead economic development organization in the Camden area. Its Board of Directors has representation from private business, the City of Camden, Ouachita County, the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce, the Camden Area Industrial Development Corporation, the Camden Fairview Public Schools, the Harmony Grove Public Schools and the Southern Arkansas University Tech. Primary funding comes from the City of Camden and Ouachita County through an economic development services contract.

The OPED Board meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at 10:00 at the OPED Building in the conference room.

Officers:

President: Jim Golden
Vice President: Michael Shelton
Treasurer: James Nixon
Secretary: Karmen House
Mayor: Julian Lott
Ouachita County Judge: Robbie McAdoo
Directors: Helen Aregood, Robyn Yarbro, Nick Tuberville, Jim Coleman, Angela Snowden, Karmen House, Richard Robertson, Jeffery Franklin.
Ex Officio: Johnny Embry, Charles King, Beth Osteen, Dr. Jason Morrison, Cecil McDonald, Dr. Albert Snow, Jerry West.

Pictured Above: The roomy spaces available for clients of the business incubator.

Staff:

James Lee Silliman, Executive Director
Dotty Harris, Office Manager
John Shipp, 3-D Printer Consultant