Episode 22: Graycen Bigger: From Art Auctions to Duck Lodge Deals and the Case for Issue 3

This week on The CommerceCast: Mark Holt and ToddBaltz sit down with the podcast's most requested guest to date: Graycen Bigger, Executive Director of the Northeast Arkansas (NEA) Intermodal Authority. Graycen shares her journey from growing upin Paragould to double majoring in journalism and art history, moving to New York City for graduate school, and writing her thesis on the massive economic impact of Crystal Bridges. As head of the NEA Intermodal Authority—representingRandolph, Lawrence, Clay, and Sharp counties—Graycen pulls back the curtain on how regional economic development actually works. She delivers a masterclass on Issue 3, explaining how modernizing Arkansas's 1874 economic development laws can help rural communities recruit restaurants, retail, and housing, all without raising taxes.   **In This Episode:** - **The NYC to Pocahontas Journey:** Graycen’s path from journalism and art auctions in New York to teaching at ASU and renovating a century-old family home. - **The Duck Lodge Pitch:** The wild behind-the-scenes story of recruiting Tate, overcoming tornado damage right before their visit, and hosting Irish execs at a local duck lodge. - **What is Issue 3?** How Issue 3 updates 100-year-old state laws to allow performance-based local incentives for retail, restaurants, and childcare—with complete local control and zero tax hikes. **Links & Resources:** **Follow the Chamberon Facebook:** www.facebook.com/randolphcountychamber **Connect with NEA Intermodal:** graycen@neaintermodal.com **Follow NEA Intermodal on Facebook!** **Have a story we should tell?** Email us at commercecastpod@gmail.com. **Chamber Inquiries:** Reach out to the team at [⁠chamber@randolphchamber.com⁠](mailto:chamber@randolphchamber.com) **Want to promote your business on the podcast?** Email us at commercecastpod@gmail.com **Rate & Review:** If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!  **Credits:** The CommerceCast is a production of FoxLion Studios. **Hosted by:** Mark Holt and Todd Baltz **Produced by:** FoxLion Studios **Executive Producers:** Todd Baltz and Mark Holt **Music by:** AGI **Special Thanks:** The Randolph County Chamber of Commerce **Sponsored by:** ProMed Ambulance, Pocahontas Glass and Custom-Pak *(c) 2026 The CommerceCast. All Rights Reserved.*