City of Distinction 2011

City officials take pride in those numbers and in Arkadelphia’s status as the center of education in southwest Arkansas, as evidenced by their commitment to academic achievement through the creation in 2008 of the Southwest Arkansas College Prep Academy, a summer academic boot camp for Arkadelphia students planning on attending college. That commitment has earned Arkadelphia recognition as a 2011 Arkansas Business City of Distinction in the category of Workforce Development. read more >

Fayetteville’s efforts to include everyone in its economic development initiative have empowered a community. Fayetteville Forward has engaged residents to get involved and help shape the city’s future. And in the process, it’s earned the city honorable-mention recognition as a 2011 Arkansas Business City of Distinction for quality of life. read more >

Jonesboro city leaders know it takes a highly skilled workforce to attract industry. Their efforts to build a base of highly skilled workers necessary for the recruitment of industry earned the city recognition as a 2011 Arkansas Business City of Distinction for Workforce Development. read more >

In January, the Little Rock Police Department installed the Incident Report Direct Entry System, a Web-based application that allows officers to complete incident reports from any computer connected to the city network. This in-car reporting system that makes incident reporting much more efficient has earned Little Rock recognition as a 2011 Arkansas Business City of Distinction for technology advancements. read more >

In recent years, several new development projects have infused new life into downtown. The transformation of the area into one in which residents are attracted to live, work and play has earned Fort Smith honorable-mention recognition as a 2011 Arkansas Business City of Distinction for Main Street preservation. read more >

Oil may have attracted them by the tens of thousands in the 1920s, but these days Main Street is the top draw. El Dorado’s commitment to downtown preservation has earned it recognition as one of Arkansas Business’ Cities of Distinction in the Main Street Preservation category. read more >

The choice of North Little Rock as a 2011 City of Distinction in the category of green and energy conservation initiatives was an easy one. City government not only goes green itself, but encourages residents to go green. In fact, it makes it easy for them to do so. read more >

Heber Springs’ passage of a sales-tax initiative to fund the much-needed, $18 million project demonstrates a strong commitment to its residents’ quality of life and helped earn the Cleburne County seat honorable mention designation as a 2011 Arkansas Business City of Distinction in the Quality of Life category. read more >

City leaders’ persistence in making the state-of-the-art park and community center a reality earned Bryant honorable mention designation as a 2011 Arkansas Business City of Distinction in the Quality of Life category. read more >

Part of the dynamic growth Bentonville has experienced over the past decade revolves around downtown revitalization. Many new businesses have opened around the downtown square. That emphasis on keeping downtown vibrant as the city grows has earned it recognition as a 2011 Arkansas Business City of Distinction in the category of Main Street Preservation. read more >

Dumas' efforts to pull itself up and redefine its local economy after storms destroyed much of the city’s business infrastructure on Feb. 24, 2007, and the loss of several businesses since, have earned it recognition as an Arkansas Business City of Distinction in the category of Technology Advancements. read more >

City planning and development director Paul Luker said the Main Street West Memphis Façade Master Plan program allows for comprehensive rehabilitation of many downtown buildings at once. Funding comes from Community Development Block Grants, and the program requires temporary easements from property owners. read more >

Conway is serious about its recycling, and that commitment to conservation initiatives earned it recognition as a 2011 Arkansas Business Green City of Distinction. read more >

Our cities, towns and communities represent the many patches on that quilt, stitched together through pride, unity of purpose and determination. Our cities and towns are determined to make better lives for their residents. They’ve done so through innovation, dedication and plain ol’ tenacity. Arkansas Business Publishing Group is proud to recognize these efforts with the inaugural City of Distinction awards program. read more >

Bentonville’s commitment to meeting the needs of its residents has earned it recognition as a 2011 Arkansas Business City of Distinction for quality of life. read more >

The new $49 million El Dorado High School, the $18 million El Dorado Conference Center and the $9 million Health Science Center at South Arkansas Community College represent El Dorado’s commitment to the future. That big-picture vision has earned the city recognition as an Arkansas Business City of Distinction in the Quality of Life category. read more >