Attorney General Leslie Rutledge opens first-ever district office in Northwest Arkansas

For the first time in the history of the state Attorney General’s office, there is a permanent district office outside the capital city.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced Friday (Oct. 27) the opening of an office at 213 W. Monroe Ave. in Lowell. The office will have two full-time staff members, according to a news release, one of whom is bilingual to better assist the increasing Hispanic community of the region.

The office won’t be an additional expense to taxpayers,  and will be paid for using lawsuit settlement dollars, the release said.

“Since my inauguration, it has been my goal to make Arkansans more aware of the services of the office and to make it more accessible,” Rutledge said in the release. “The opening of a district office in northwest Arkansas, a region that is the fastest-growing in the state and the 22nd fastest-growing in the U.S., will allow these Arkansans greater access to resources and assistance from the Attorney General’s office. No Arkansan, including those in the communities of northwest Arkansas, should have to drive to downtown Little Rock or get on the phone to receive the help they need. Staff in the district office will be able to assist with consumer-related issues and will speak to groups and attend events to make sure residents know more about available resources and services.”

Rutledge was on hand Friday to officially open the office, and was joined by state and local officials including Lowell Mayor Eldon Long and Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Raymond Burns.