Terre McLendon, director of community and industry studies for the UALR Institute for Economic Advancement, has received the 2015 Breakthrough Solutions SOAR Award.

McLendon was among the award winners at the annual Breakthrough Solutions Conference held June 4 in North Little Rock.

Breakthrough Solutions is an award-winning, next-generation strategic planning and development program of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service with partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

Twenty years ago, McLendon took the lead on the first comprehensive study of Internet use in the state. She also spearheaded the creation of the Development Information Network of Arkansas, one of the first statewide economic development web portals in the country.

More recently, she conducted an economic sector analysis for the Southeast Arkansas Cornerstone Coalition through work with the Delta Technology Education Center in Dumas.

Breakthrough Solutions Coordinator Mark Peterson, a professor of economic and community development with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the SOAR Award is given to those who embody the Breakthrough Solutions principles and spirit in their community development work.

“Terre has represented UALR and the Institute for Economic Advancement well,” he said. “Individuals such as her are helping communities and regions become vibrant and sustainable in the 21st century economy.”