Economic Development News

Chad Colley Blvd Ribbon Cutting Announced

Mayor Sandy Sanders and the Fort Smith Board of Directors will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Chad Colley Boulevard Extension project.  The ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at the intersection of Chad Colley Boulevard with Custer Boulevard.

<<- Back to News

Oxane Materials Accepts $25,000 Check from Chamber

Presenting the $25,000 check to Jeff Franklin, VP of Manufacturing for Oxane Materials, (from left) are Paul Harvel, Fort Smith Chamber Perisdent, and Cheryl Garner, Vice President of Economic Development for the Fort Smith Regional Chamber, Jeff Franklin, Jackie Krutsch of the Van Buren Chamber and Mayor Bob Freeman with the City of Van Buren. Photograph and article by Kenneth Fry Press Argus-Courier.

Oxane Materials accepted a $25,000 check, the second payment of $75,000 promised by the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce if the production facility located and expanded in Van Buren.  "Everything is beginning to click for us," said Jeff Franklin, Vice President of Manufacturing for Oxane.  "The market is still getting to know us and our product."

<<- Back to News

Economic Development Impacts Everyone

Some people don’t realize that economic development impacts everyone in our region in some way or another. When a company opens business in a community, it creates jobs. That is the obvious. But it also stimulates the city and economy. The business will pay taxes and support local organizations. Their employees will buy homes, spend money at local stores, refuel at our convenience stores and their kids will attend public and/or private schools. What about all the other jobs that a new company impacts?