Economic development is an issue plaguing virtually every small town in the U.S., and here in the Golden Triangle of South Arkansas, the need for job creation and growth is particularly prevalent.

The problem, though, is that the days of manufacturing plants with 500 or more employees are long gone, and there’s little to replace them in small towns like El Dorado, Camden and Magnolia.

The solution, according to area economic development officials: Support, create and expand small businesses in the region.

In El Dorado, the motto has become, “You’ve got the i...