Fri 09|03|10

Area Progress

The Consumer Compass Report: 40% say area economy will worsen in next year

More than 40% of Fort Smith regional residents surveyed in the inaugural The Consumer Compass survey say their personal financial situation is worse than it was a year ago.

What’s more, 35.5% of those surveyed expect their personal financial condition to worsen in the next 12 months.

The Compass Report: Regional economy relatively flat during second quarter

The good news is that the Fort Smith regional economy did not slip during the second quarter. The bad news is, it didn’t get better.

$1.73 million ATU-Ozark Vest Student Union formally opened

More than 300 attended the recent unveiling ceremony for the Alvin F. Vest Student Union at the Arkansas Tech University-Ozark campus.

The $1.73 million facility includes a bookstore, library, food area with coffee shop and a computer lab.

Fort Smith chamber reception welcomes new doctors

The event is geared to help area hospitals with physician recruitment and retention.

Water district suspends effort to build Pine Mountain Dam

The push to build Pine Mountain Dam has ended.

Board members of the River Valley Regional Water District voted Monday (Aug. 30) to suspend efforts to identify a long-term water supply for the district that were focused on building Pine Mountain Dam on Lee Creek in northern Crawford County.

Northside High students tops in AP program (Updated)

Editor’s note: This story is updated throughout with more information.

Students at Fort Smith Northside High School posted the largest increases among select students in six states who are participating in a National Math and Science Initiative designed to increase proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses.

New report to make case for rural interstate funding

A study to be released Monday (Aug. 30) is meant to remind federal officials to not forget about rural America when allocating federal highway dollars, said Glenn Bolick, a spokesman with the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department.

Bolick said the report includes a “brief” mention of Interstate 49.

Airport ready for lighting, taxiway projects

story by Marla Cantrell
mcantrell@thecitywire.com

Fort Smith Airport Director John Parker said $1.4 million in grant money for runway lighting and other projects should be approved by the end of the week.

Fort Smith board to discuss $100,000 for Marshals Museum

The Fort Smith board of directors on Tuesday (Aug. 24) will consider a formal request from the U.S. Marshals Museum for $100,000 to support the museum’s efforts in 2011.

A board study session is planned for Noon, Aug. 24 at the Fort Smith Public Library.