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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
November's here with that perfect Arkansas fall weather cool mornings for coffee on the porch, warm afternoons for the last outdoor events before winter sets in. Whether you're catching Clint Black at the ArcBest tonight or prepping your business for downtown's new mini-grant program, we've got your weekly pulse on what matters.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
⚖️ Budget safeguards after $6M overrun - Board votes November 18 on 7-day review for $500K+ projects after Parrot Island costs exploded
💼 Downtown mini-grants closing November 14 - Grab $1,500-$7,500 matching funds for facade improvements two weeks left
🏥 Emergency capacity nearly doubles - Mercy expansion adds 21 ER rooms, 28 ICU beds, serving 25,000 more patients annually
🎭 Two legends, one weekend - Clint Black tonight, Beatles vs. Stones November 19, Invest Fort Smith Summit Wednesday
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—Your Neighbour
📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎭 Exit Laughing at Fort Smith Little Theatre | November 13-22 | Fort Smith Little Theatre | A heartwarming comedy about friendship featuring witty dialogue as bridge club members honor a friend in hilarious style | Fort Smith Little Theatre
🎵 Clint Black | November 7 at 8:00 PM | ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center | Country music legend performs live in an intimate theater setting | Tickets
💼 Invest Fort Smith 2025 | November 13, 9:30 AM-4:00 PM | UAFS Center for Economic Development at The Bakery District | Free summit connecting entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders with resources for Fort Smith's economic future, featuring panel discussions, ChatGPT workshop, and networking | Register
🎨 Artist Lecture with Oluwatobi Adewumi | November 8, 5:30-6:30 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Nigerian artist discusses his journey to rural Arkansas and techniques of charcoal and abstract realism in layered portraits | Fort Smith RAM
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Showdown | November 19 at 7:30 PM | ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center | Experience the epic rivalry between rock's greatest bands in one unforgettable evening | Tickets
A-String Fort Smith Concert | November 16, 3:00-5:00 PM | St. John's Episcopal Church | Free concert showcasing Fort Smith's finest high school and college-aged string musicians as part of The Arts at St. John's series | Details
Rittz | November 22 at 8:00 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Hip-hop artist performs live with doors opening at 7:00 PM | Tickets
SOSRIVERBOY II | November 29 at 7:00 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Featuring Anella, Rhyan Besco, Trevor Phelps, beem!, and more with DJ Swilsonn | Tickets
David Nail | December 5 at 8:00 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Country artist brings authentic storytelling and heartfelt performances | Tickets
Fort Smith Symphony: I'll Be Home for Christmas | December 6 at 7:00 PM | ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center | Fort Smith tradition returns with holiday classics including The Nutcracker and Sleigh Ride | Fort Smith Symphony
Queensryche: Volume and Vengeance Tour | December 9 at 7:00 PM | TempleLive Fort Smith | Iconic rock band performs with doors at 6:00 PM | TempleLive
Velcro Pygmies | December 12 at 8:30 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Live performance with doors at 7:30 PM | Tickets
American Aquarium | December 13 at 7:00 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Authentic Americana and roots rock | Tickets
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings | December 19 & 21 | United States Marshals Museum | 60-minute classical Christmas concert performed by string quartet under candlelight, featuring beloved carols from Silent Night to O Holy Night | Tickets
Western Arkansas Ballet: The Nutcracker (40th Annual) | December 13 at 7:00 PM & December 14 at 2:00 PM | ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center | Over 115 local children and adults perform Tchaikovsky's classic ballet with professional guest artists. Adult tickets $30, Student/Child tickets $20 | Tickets
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👪 Family-Friendly
Arkansas River Holiday Market | November 1 | Fort Smith | 13th annual holiday shopping extravaganza featuring 150+ booths, food trucks, and Santa. Admission $5 (12 & up) | AR River Holiday Market
Thanksgiving in the Park | November 15 at 8:00 AM | Kay Rodgers Park | Community Thanksgiving celebration | AllEvents
DINOvember Scavenger Hunt | November 1-30 | Fort Smith Public Library Main Location | Kids hunt for dinosaurs hidden around the library for prizes | Fort Smith Library
Pancakes with the Grinch | December 6, 9:00-10:30 AM | RiverPark Events Building, 121 Riverfront Drive | Free community event hosted by Fort Smith Parks & Recreation | City of Fort Smith
Holiday Open House (22nd Annual) | December 8, 1-5 PM | Fort Smith Public Library Main Location | Free festive afternoon featuring music, crafts, games, stories, holiday displays, light refreshments, and entertainment for all ages. Bring non-perishable food for Holiday Food Drive | Fort Smith Library
RAM Holiday Art Party | December 6, 11 AM-3 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE drop-in event with holiday crafts, cookies, photo backdrop, and meet Santa | Fort Smith RAM
Holly Jolly Trolley | December 6, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM | Fort Smith Trolley Museum, 100 S 4th St | Free hot chocolate, sweets, model railroad displays. Trolley rides: $5 adults, $3 children | AllEvents
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Gobbler 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | November 1 at 8:30 AM | Ben Geren Regional Park | Out-and-back courses with finisher medals. 3.5-hour time limit | Find A Race
Jim Rowland FCA River Valley Run | November 1 at 8:00 AM-12
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Fort Smith Board to vote on budget oversight ordinance November 18
What this means: New spending rules require 7-day review for projects over $500K direct response to $6.3M water slide cost overrun at Parrot Island
City Director Christina Catsavis advanced an ordinance creating "guardrails" to prevent rushed approval of major expenditures after Parrot Island waterslide costs ballooned from $4.2M to over $6.3M. The city has already spent $3.55M acquiring slides, but installation bids came in at $2.8M with only $650K remaining in budget.
Here's what to know:
Board votes November 18 on ordinance requiring study session presentations for any capital project over $500K or significantly impacting debt
Mandatory 7-day waiting period between presentation and vote emergency exception requires two-thirds board approval and city administrator certification
Internal auditor will conduct annual compliance reviews with findings reported to Audit Advisory Committee and full board
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Harps opens fifth Fort Smith location at Chaffee Crossing with 80 new jobs
What this means: New 39,350 sq ft grocery store at 6400 Veterans Ave brings full-service market to rapidly growing Chaffee Crossing area 80 jobs created with 30 full-time positions
Harps Food Stores opened its 160th location on October 8 near the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education campus after completing the $12.2M facility. The employee-owned grocery chain now operates five stores in Fort Smith, serving students, faculty, and nearby residential areas with daily hours from 7am-10pm.
Here's what to know:
Store features full deli, fresh sushi, curbside pickup, online ordering through Harps website, and Harps Express fuel station
ACHE sold Harps 5.5 acres in 2024 to diversify retail options for medical students and surrounding community
Harps is Arkansas's largest employee-owned company with 6,700+ employees across 160 stores in six states
PUBLIC SAFETY
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith completes $185M emergency room and ICU expansion
What this means: Emergency capacity nearly doubles with 50 rooms (up from 29) and ICU beds increase to 64 (from 36) hospital now handles 25,000 additional patient visits annually
The five-story, 162,000 sq ft addition opened in April-May 2025 after three years of construction, significantly expanding emergency care, behavioral health, imaging and intensive care services. New emergency department includes six trauma rooms, dedicated infectious disease spaces, and secure five-room behavioral health area designed for patient and staff safety.
Here's what to know:
Major infrastructure upgrades include relocated helipad for faster patient transport, 400 new parking spaces in two-story deck, and expanded central utility plant
Nine ambulance bays, EMT decontamination area, two ICU visitor lounges, and 22-bed observation unit in former ICU space
Project created temporary 400 construction jobs with $34M regional economic impact—168 permanent jobs being added over 2-3 years
INFRASTRUCTURE
What this means: New warehouse space and concrete storage pad on Arkansas River increases cargo handling capacity part of $4.6M statewide waterways investment announced October 29
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas Waterways Commission awarded funding to Fort Smith Port Authority for warehouse construction, materials storage pad, and signage improvements. Grant program reinvests ad valorem taxes from commodities shipped on Arkansas waterways back into port infrastructure.
Here's what to know:
Funding supports Fort Smith Port Authority capital improvements on Arkansas River to enhance economic viability and shipping capacity
Arkansas sits at center of North American trade routes connected by river, rail, road, and runway waterways are cornerstone of regional commerce
Four other Arkansas ports received funding totaling $2.6M for projects including safety railings, erosion prevention, and equipment upgrades
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Main Street Fort Smith launches mini-grant program for downtown improvements
What this means: Business and property owners can access $1,500-$7,500 matching grants for facade improvements, awnings, masonry repair applications close November 14
Main Street Fort Smith's first-ever mini-grant program provides 50/50 reimbursement funding through Main Street Arkansas and Arkansas Department of Heritage for projects preserving downtown's historic character. Eligible improvements include exterior paint, signage, lighting, and architectural restoration meeting form-based codes.
Here's what to know:
Applications accepted through November 14 with grant awards announced by December 15—projects must complete by April 15, 2026
Selection committee reviews applications with final approval from Main Street Arkansas—all grants are reimbursement-based requiring invoices and photos
Contact Amanda Hager at [email protected] or visit mainstreetfs.org for application details and eligibility requirements
Quick updates
Highway 71B pedestrian improvements approved - Federal Highway Administration issued Finding of No Significant Impact for 3.8-mile project adding sidewalks, crosswalks, and upgraded storm sewers between Highway 271 and Highway 64 design phase moves forward - Read more
National Night Out draws 2,000 residents - October 7 community safety event at Central Mall parking lot featured multiple law enforcement agencies, resource booths, demonstrations, free food and door prizes strengthening police-community relationships - Read more
Invest Fort Smith Summit set for November 13 - Free one-day conference at Bakery District connects entrepreneurs and business leaders with resources, featuring panels on downtown revitalization and business growth registration required at mainstreetfs.org - Read more
UAFS installs $5.7M advanced manufacturing equipment - Two FAS-200 automated assembly systems and three ABB Cobot FlexTrainers installed October 27 in Advanced Manufacturing Lab through state HIRED grant providing hands-on robotics and automation training for students - Read more
Ghouls on Garrison returns October 31 - Free downtown trick-or-treating event runs 5pm-8pm along Garrison Avenue with dozens of participating businesses digital map available October 27 at mainstreetfs.org for families to plan routes - Read more
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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See you around town,
Your Neighbor
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