About Us

We empower community leaders with critical economic insights to make informed decisions, measure impact, and identify new opportunities.  

Acorn is a proprietary large language model driven by A.I. technology to crawl regional economic development data sets, along with comparable communities’ programs and outcomes, to produce Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) planning supplemented with current demographic and labor data.  Our cutting-edge economic development planning, crafted by seasoned economic developers and enhanced with the precision of artificial intelligence, represents a groundbreaking approach in the field.

Utilizing comprehensive data sourced from public records, our action plans offer an unparalleled analysis of the economic landscape. We highlight key trends, potential growth areas, and sectors ripe for investment, backed by AI-driven insights that ensure accuracy and relevance. Our plans serve as an essential tool for policymakers, investors, and business leaders, providing them with a detailed overview of the current economic status and future opportunities. Our innovative use of artificial intelligence in processing and interpreting vast datasets from public records not only enhances the reliability of the findings but also offers predictive insights, setting a new standard in economic analysis and strategic planning. Our action plans are an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand, invest in, or shape the future of the local economy.

Acorn 2.0 Roadmap (Q4 2025 / Q1 2025):

  • Sentiment Analysis - evaluating and incorporating the sentiments, opinions, attitudes, and emotions expressed by your community's stakeholders as it relates to your CEDS plan.
  • ACT WorkKeys and Work Ready Scoring for the development of community-based workforce development.
  • Enhanced data visualization graphics incorporated into the narrative portion of the CEDS plan.

Toby Teeter, Founder & Senior Analyst

Toby is the Associate Vice Chancellor of Economic Development and a lecturer at the University of Arkansas. Previously, he was the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, where he focused on fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and championing innovation culture, as well as attracting both talent and new industry to the region.

 

Jacob Teeter, Analyst

Jacob Teeter

Jacob is an analyst at Acorn Economic Development Advisors, LLC.  He is also a student at the University of Arkansas Walton College of Business, studying Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Why the acorn?

The acorn is a small and unassuming seed that holds within it the potential for great growth and prosperity. From the tiny acorn, a mighty oak tree can grow, reaching up towards the sky and spreading its branches far and wide.