The Delta Rhythm & Bayous Alliance (DRBA) will hold a forum on economic growth potential based on tourism in the Delta region, particularly southeast Arkansas, western Mississippi, and northern Louisiana. DRBA Board Director Jimmy Cunningham, Jr., will present a proposal for tourism that builds on the area’s history; it would apply to the Delta corridor following U.S. Highway 65 and its offshoots and roughly following Bayou Bartholomew’s course through this region.
Delta Rhythm & Bayous Forum
Economic Growth Potential of Tourism in the Delta
- Saturday, December 10, 2016
- 3:00 to 5:00 pm
- UAPB Caldwell Hall Auditorium
- 1200 N. University Drive
- Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Mr. Cunningham will deliver insights from his research of arts, including music and literary arts as well as visual arts, born of the area and how this heritage could open the door for tourism in the Delta region. The forum will also address links between nature (geology and geography) and the area’s historic art and music contributions as well as links between outdoor activities and economic gain.
Overall, the message will be about the region’s economic needs and the potential for tourism in the Delta based on its history and heritage. Pine Bluff will be one of two anchor cities along the proposed corridor; the plan could benefit Southeast Arkansas and other parts of the Delta Region.
Arkansas State Representatives Vivian Flowers (District 17) and Ken Ferguson (District 16) will join him in this presentation.
Updates added since this December 2016 forum was held: Read the summary of the December 2016 DRBA forum that was announced with this post to learn more about the DRBA’s plans for tourism in the Delta Lowlands. Other progress made by DRBA in 2017 and 2018 includes a more developed proposal for Pine Bluff’s heritage tourism, arts and music-themed heritage highway designation in Arkansas and Mississippi. Most recently, DRBA has scheduled a tribute to Bobby Rush (on November 30, 2018) who, as a teen, started his legendary career in Pine Bluff; Mr. Rush is undoubtedly a key part of the region’s music heritage.
