Around the District
I am taking full advantage of another district work period. Read more below about some of my recent stops around our great community!
Rogers Rotary
I spoke with Rogers Rotary members about local growth and development.
There is no place like home, where I get to visit with such great organizations, including our local Rotary Clubs. We are incredibly blessed to live in a place where residents continually come together to help others and make our community an even better place to live, and I joined the Rogers Rotary for their meeting this week. We reflected on the development of the area. Our skyline has transformed throughout the years. As I noted, there was a point when where we sat was once a place where model airplanes flew around. There is no questioning that what once was a bedroom community has turned into a destination city. I also talked about my work in Congress and as Chairman of the West Point BOV. Third District students are making us proud at military service academies across America. It is always wonderful to spend time with our local Rotarians.
Crafton Tull
Crafton Tull is a great example of the entrepreneurial mindset seen throughout the Third District.
The entrepreneurial mind and process are seen all throughout Arkansas. Crafton Tull started in a Rogers motel and now boasts nearly 300 employees. Their story reflects the business spirit of Arkansas, and the endeavors people have grown from the bottom up. The focus of this civil engineering, surveying, architecture, landscape architecture, and planning firm remains planning and development that meets local infrastructure needs and improves communities through design. Strong technical knowledge and relationships with leaders of commerce, government officials, and stakeholders are critical to designing city streets, water systems, and new infrastructure for undeveloped land. Some places Crafton Tull has worked on include the Rogers Fire Station, Aquatics Center, Springdale – Mickey Jackson Fire Training Center, Walmart AMP, ATU Allied Health Building, and Fast Lane in Lowell. I appreciated hearing more about the work this 100% employee-owned company is doing and talking about transportation issues, as well as providing an update on the latest happenings in Congress.
Stryten Energy
Stryten Energy in Fort Smith supports our national defense and many other industries across America.
Made in the Third District! That is a label I like to see on products. It’s important for me to have an understanding of the things being manufactured in our communities, and the companies that are connected to them. I visited Stryten Energy in Fort Smith to do just that. They manufacture powerful batteries used in things like submarines, combat vehicles, and railway components. I toured their facility to view operations and meet employees. While getting a direct look at their manufacturing floor, I was able to examine a lead battery plate that is used to store and conduct energy in a large industrial battery, watch the assembly of a locomotive starting battery, and also look at other industrial components for telecommunications and defense applications.
Greenwood
I appreciated visiting with Greenwood leadership and learning more about local development projects.
I visited Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow, Police Chief Will Dawson, Fire Chief Stewart Bryan, City Clerk/Treasurer Sharla Derry, Director of Wastewater Department Gregg Cross, and Water Distribution Director Tim Posey to discuss flood recovery and mitigation, as well as road decongestion plans. These projects are about preparing for the future and enhancing community life. I valued hearing about their locally focused and needs-driven infrastructure strategy. Their service to the people of Greenwood does not go unnoticed!
State of the Region
I joined others in listening to the State of the Region report.
Economic progress and development are goals we all share in Arkansas. I appreciated hearing from Rick Cole and Mervin Jebaraj on regional performance and indicators for the future as UA’s Center for Business and Economic Research, in collaboration with the Northwest Arkansas Council, released its annual State of the Region report. With such rapid growth being seen, big points of the discussion focused on infrastructure and housing. Read the report here.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
I’m extremely thankful to the medical personnel dedicated to the care, health, and well-being of Arkansans.
I toured Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Fayetteville. The center has many options for rehabilitation to ensure the specific needs of each patient are being met. Their resources include using advanced technologies, personalized care, and innovative solutions to ensure excellence in care. I spoke with employees and learned more about their work in connection to Washington Regional. As they reiterated, they are focused on the progress their patients make and the outcomes they achieve. We also talked about their challenges, which include recruiting and employee retention. I’m extremely thankful to the medical personnel dedicated to the care, health, and well-being of Arkansans.
Washington County Sheriff Breakfast
Thank you, Sheriff Helder, for your work protecting the Third District and commitment to upholding the badge.
It was great to see Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder! Sheriff Helder has been holding breakfasts that bring together law enforcement, safety officials, and government professionals from all over the region to share updates from their respective departments. Arkansas police deserve our gratitude, and I thank all our law enforcement and first responders for their work to protect and serve. This is the last event Sheriff Helder will be hosting as he is retiring at the end of the year. Thank you, Sheriff Helder, for your work protecting the Third District and commitment to upholding the badge. Our community wishes you all the best! We will soon welcome Jay Cantrell as our next Sheriff.
Some other pictures of this week:
So great seeing Mulberry High School students! I'm always proud to meet the best and brightest of Arkansas.
When Qusay Alfaori from Jordan was studying at the University of Arkansas, my office helped him obtain his green card. Today, he proudly became a U.S. citizen! Not only did he receive his Ph.D. from UA, but he's also currently a Texas Tech medical student. The epitome of the American dream. Congratulations!
Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow gave me a briefing on local road projects to alleviate congestion.
I appreciated visiting Encompass Health in Fayetteville this week.
The River Valley plays an important role in our country's defense sector. Stryten Energy in Fort Smith is a company that makes batteries and other systems for the military.
Wishing you a great weekend ahead, I look forward to seeing you around Arkansas next week. You can keep an eye on my website or check out my Twitter and Instagram pages to stay up-to-date with the latest news from my office. |