Fort Smith, AR

[Mith242]

I think that Fort Smith is more diverse now. I know it has a decent African America population, by west Arkansas standards, and has a large Vietnamese community.

Pine Bluff is mainly black or white, not many hispanics, asians, etc.

[Aporkalypse]

I don't know, it took longer than other areas of the state but I think Hispanics are showing up in larger numbers at Pine Bluff than most people might think. But yes Pine Bluff historically has mainly been a White/Black city. When I was living there, there was a small Asian presence but it was pretty small.

[Mith242]

Hispanics go where the jobs are. There aren't any jobs in Pine Bluff. There may be a few Hispanics there but there probably won't be big numbers. I expect Texarkana and Little Rock to really jump in Hispanic population soon.

[Aporkalypse]

I looked at enrollment at Pine Bluff High. The main high school in Pine Bluff. I was surprised to see that it looked to me that there was just as many Hispanic students there as White students. Although both were overshadowed by Black students.

[Mith242]

What exactly were those numbers, just out of curiosity?

[Aporkalypse]

I don't remember any exact numbers, this was a couple of years ago. But I was still rather surprised to see as many Hispanics in Pine Bluff. With unemployment rather high you'd think it wouldn't be a place to look for work.

[Mith242]

The reason I asked was that I was wondering whether there were really that many Hispanics or just that few white kids. I knew that white flight was out of hand there but that's unhealthy if that's the case.

[RLucas83]

Dont think anyone has mentioned this yet but Delta is returning to Fort Smith with 2 daily flights to Atlanta...

*Fort Smith,Ark Two daily round-trip flights begining June 7 operated on Bombardier CRJ200 jets

Edited February 15, 2007 by RLucas83

[bchris02]

Slight change in subject, but the two new shopping centers, first anchored by Target at Phoenix and Greenwood and the second anchored by Wal-Mart on I-540 and Kelly Hwy are both supposed to bring numerous other retailers with them, many of them have already signed the deal. I can't find anything shedding light on what they might be however. Anybody have any idea what might pop up in these new shopping centers other than their anchor tenants?

[mcheiss]

Slight change in subject, but the two new shopping centers, first anchored by Target at Phoenix and Greenwood and the second anchored by Wal-Mart on I-540 and Kelly Hwy are both supposed to bring numerous other retailers with them, many of them have already signed the deal. I can't find anything shedding light on what they might be however. Anybody have any idea what might pop up in these new shopping centers other than their anchor tenants?

[bchris02]

Today I heard a rumor that Rheem might be closing its Fort Smith plant. Anybody know anything about this?

[Aporkalypse]

Slight change in subject, but the two new shopping centers, first anchored by Target at Phoenix and Greenwood and the second anchored by Wal-Mart on I-540 and Kelly Hwy are both supposed to bring numerous other retailers with them, many of them have already signed the deal. I can't find anything shedding light on what they might be however. Anybody have any idea what might pop up in these new shopping centers other than their anchor tenants?

[Mith242]

Today I heard a rumor that Rheem might be closing its Fort Smith plant. Anybody know anything about this?

[ridtinten]

I haven't heard anything yet.

Interesting, Ft Smith getting something first in Arkansas.

[Mith242]

Looks like Ft Smith gave itself a little National attention. They've been having some bank robberies in the River Valley area. The Ft Smith police started up a myspace page for this robber trying to get his face out there more than just a couple of times on the local news. Looks like the National media picked up on it and is talking about it also. Interesting idea by the way.

[ShiggyRye]

i've been a long time lurker and finally decided to register....I was curious if anyone else noticed that google earth has updated their satellite view of Fort Smith...It's about time

[vbfl85]

...as well as pulaski, saline, and most of garland in a higher resolution than what was previously available.

[Mith242]

i've been a long time lurker and finally decided to register....I was curious if anyone else noticed that google earth has updated their satellite view of Fort Smith...It's about time

[ShiggyRye]

Unless Ft Smith or the county does something like NWA did I doubt it will update anytime soon.

Edited March 5, 2007 by ShiggyRye

[ShiggyRye]

it has updated with high resolution imagry...check it out

[ridtinten]

well...nothing has been posted in this thread in some time...i will try to give some updates as best i can....

while the job market in fort smith isn't anything to write home about...their have been a few things that are started to go our way....Golden Ventures...the private organization that bought out Beverly Enterprises...is going to add about 100 jobs...Baldor is going to add between 150 and 300 jobs...baldor closed two factories in other parts of the country and is bringing the workers in...Experian in Van Buren has opened and is employing about 250 people right now...and will add more jobs...not sure the name of the company...but they make limos...they have added 100 jobs....so...maybe things are going to turn around here....and...hooters is nearing completion...

[ShiggyRye]

Anyone know what they are building down by El Zarape? I've seen that they've demolished the building that was there....

[ridtinten]

Anyone know what they are building down by El Zarape? I've seen that they've demolished the building that was there....

[ShiggyRye]

A big reason they haven't been annexed yet is Barling lives under this illusion that it's somehow beneficial economically. Not only would becoming a part of fort smith give Barling a better economic development foot holding, but also infrastructure would be better. Fort Smith just has more money to make for a good quality of life.

[bchris02]

It is generally assumed that Wal-Mart causes other businesses to lose business and eventually go out of business. However, it appears to have had a positive impact on the east Rogers area and north Van Buren. Anybody have any predictions on how the new supercenter will impact north Ft. Smith and the area in general?