I had a lovely time meeting with Regina Farmer of DataSmart Enterprises. We talked about her company, what they do, and why she opened an office in Jonesboro. We also spoke about our shared experience of having a trans child.
DataSmart provides innovative software for the ag industry of tomorrow. The company got its start in Arkansas and opened its office in Jonesboro a few years ago. It now serves a client base across the US and is expanding into Canada and other markets. It employees software developers, researchers, and more.
Kier Heyl and Regina Farmer
Regina opened the office in Jonesboro because it made sense. Most of her employees were living in Jonesboro or the surrounding area, and Jonesboro offers unique benefits including a work force that is hard to find anywhere else in the area. It’s not all sunshine and roses, though, when faced with renting a location in Jonesboro all of the rent was so high that she opted to purchase her own building instead. While this speaks volumes of the commitment of DataSmart to Jonesboro, not every business can afford to do this.
In addition to working with software and technology, Regina and I also have another thing in common. We both have a trans child. Regina’s daughter moved out of the state for her career, but Arkansas’ anti trans stance has had a serious impact on her daughter’s feelings for her birthplace. I’m raising my trans son in Jonesboro and this my number one concern as any parent has to be for my child’s wellbeing. This is why I decided to run in the first place. Seeing members on the board of directors at the library call for the exclusion of LGBTQ displays and materials has a serious long term impact on our LGBTQ youth. Hearing them applaud at other’s exclusion is a sound that I will never forget, and I will do everything I can to make sure every board appointment and commission are not only experienced, but diverse and inclusive. This is what I mean when I say Jonesboro is for everyone!
