30 Dec 2023 Five-Oh-Ones to Watch 2024: Cora Easterday, West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District

For many Arkansans, the COVID-19 pandemic provided challenges and changes to their daily lives. For Cora Easterday, it ignited her servant’s heart, calling her to go above and beyond for others in need.

“When the pandemic hit, I was working in group travel with Visit Hot Springs,” Easterday said. “However, no one was traveling at the time. A new opportunity with West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (WCAPDD) presented itself, and it was very inspiring for me. I always wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. I leaped at the opportunity and I haven’t looked back.”

Since 2021, she has served as business engagement coordinator for WCAPDD. Through 2014’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, WCAPDD promotes economic development, improves government services and offers community enrichment programs for a 10-county area.

“In our Arkansas Workforce Centers, we assist with resume building, online application assistance and utilizing our community connections to help jobseekers achieve their goals,” Easterday said. “For employers, we offer incumbent worker training, applicant screening and customized hiring events to help local businesses fulfill their recruiting, hiring and training needs.” As her team looks ahead to 2024, Easterday says expanding brand awareness is WCAPDD’s primary goal.

“There are still so many people out there that don’t know what we have to offer,” Easterday said. “To many, we’re known as the unemployment office, but we are so much more than that. We offer GED assistance with adult education programs, Arkansas Rehab Services (ARS) and more. Last year, we partnered with Arkansas Legal Services to hold record-sealing clinics to help remove barriers for employment for job seekers who have rehabilitated.”

For Easterday, promoting WCAPDD’s services comes second nature because she has used them herself.

“I was an Arkansas Rehab Services applicant when I went to college,” Easterday said. “They helped provide a stipend for books when I was a student, but they can do so much more than that. For example, if you work on a manufacturing line and your hearing aid goes out, you can work through ARS to keep your hearing aid and continue your work. It’s funny how life comes full circle sometimes. I never would have guessed that the program that helped me 20 years ago would be the same program I’m promoting today.”