Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: More consent decree work completed, Arvest Foundation 2025 grant tally
Following are news brief items from the Fort Smith metro.
Consent Decree Work Completion
The city of Fort Smith recently announced completion of another project mandated by a federal consent decree. The project cost was $3.311 million, 24.25% below the original contract amount. The work was completed 56 days ahead of schedule, according to the city.
The work included replacing approximately 10,810 linear feet of 8-inch high-density polyethylene sanitary sewer main using the pipe-bursting method, repairing or replacing approximately 2,378 linear feet of sewer service line, and replacing 39 sanitary sewer manholes. Much of the work was completed in an area on east Grand Avenue near the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, and in two areas at the west end of the Fort Smith Regional Airport.
The design firm was RJN Group, and the contractor was Vortex Services.
After decades of failing to maintain the sewer system, officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice filed a consent decree in 2014 with the city that required improvements to the city’s sewer system.
Arvest Foundation Grants
The Arvest Foundation recently in 2025 provided $280,500 in grants to 21 organizations in Alma, Fort Smith, Greenwood, and Van Buren. Following are the organizations, the grant use, and the grant amount.
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education will use its funding to support scholarships. $25,000
Arkansas Family Alliance used its funding to establish the Crawford County Care Portal to provide proactive assistance to families and children in crisis. $15,000
Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation will use this multi-year gift to support renovations to the River Valley Nature Center. $15,000
Cedarville Public Schools used its funding to purchase a book vending machine to reward good behavior and foster a love for reading. $7,500
Community Rescue Mission used its funding to purchase printers. $2,500
Crisis Center for Women used its funding to purchase commercial washer and dryer units for the Fort Smith shelter. $10,000
Downtown Fort Smith SERTOMA Club used its funding to provide hearing aid devices for the hearing impaired who cannot afford them. $2,000
Fort Smith Museum of History will use its funding to support building and exhibit renovations. $40,000
Fort Smith Night to Shine is a prom-like experience for those ages 14 years and older with special needs that includes a red carpet, limousine rides around the parking lot, dinner, dancing, karaoke and crowning Kings and Queens. $2,000
Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce will use its funding to support economic development in the Greater Fort Smith region. $60,000
Greenwood Adaptive Playground used its funding to purchase playground equipment for the new adaptive play area. $2,000
Greenwood Arts Academy used its funding to purchase equipment and mirrors for the ballet room. $10,000
Hometown Alma used its funding to purchase and install historical markers to display in downtown Alma that share the community’s story with residents and visitors. $5,000
Hope Campus used its funding to purchase a backup generator for the shelter and ensure continuous refrigeration and central power during emergencies. $9,500
Inventors Hall of Fame used its funding for underserved children in Fort Smith Public Schools to attend the organization’s Camp Invention summer STEM program. $7,500
Mercy Health Foundation used its funding to support construction of the new Mercy Fort Smith Cancer Center, which will help expand oncology care for patients and families in the River Valley. $50,000
Methodist Village used its funding to provide supplies for their community caregiver series. $5,000
New Start for Family & Children used its funding to purchase a new AC unit and make driveway repairs. $2,500
River Valley Nonprofits used its funding to host the organization’s annual nonprofit fair. $2,000
Sebastian County Opioid Task Force used its funding to support the 2025 Sebastian County Opioid Task Force Summit. $5,000
South Sebastian Literacy League used its funding to provide weekly programs for toddler and preschool story time and afterschool programs for school-age children and teens. $3,000
Top Enlisted Post
Arkansas Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Scott Manamon is set to replace retiring Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory White, becoming the first Air National Guardsman to serve as the state’s senior enlisted leader.
Manamon most recently was affiliated with the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith.
As the senior enlisted leader, Manamon will provide leadership support for the more than 8,800 enlisted members of the Arkansas National Guard. He began his military career in 1986 in the United States Navy. In 1992, he enlisted in the Massachusetts Air National Guard as a photo sensors maintenance specialist. He joined the Arkansas National Guard’s 188th Wing in 2015 where he held various positions with increasing responsibility culminating as the wing’s command chief master sergeant from October 2023 to November 2025.
White is retiring after 33 years of military service in the Army and Arkansas Army National Guard. He has served as the senior enlisted leader since May 2023.