Downtown Fort Smith grant program aids more than $100,000 in improvements
by February 7, 2026 12:03 pm 479 views
Main Street Fort Smith on Friday (Feb. 6) announced the recipients of $16,000 in grants directed toward downtown structural improvements that “strengthen safety, preservation, and visual appeal in the heart of Fort Smith,” the organization noted.
The mini-grant program, supported by the Division of Arkansas Heritage, supported more than $101,000 in private investment in the downtown Fort Smith area, according to Main Street Fort Smith.
Following are recipients of the mini-grants.
• Wight Office Machines, 122 Towson Ave., $1,000
• Kelley Realty Co., 424 Garrison Ave., $1,000
• Nextgen Development Partners, 524 Garrison Ave., $1,000
• Prohibition, 701 Rogers Ave., $2,000
• Littlefield Investments/Southland Management Group, 723 Garrison Ave., $1,000
• The Kress LLC, 812 Garrison Ave., $7,500
• Majestic Fort Smith, 817 Garrison Ave., $500
• Mark Kincannon, 1201 Garrison Ave., $2,000
“These projects represent more than individual improvements: they reflect a shared commitment to downtown Fort Smith,” said Amanda Hager, executive director of Main Street Fort Smith. “When we support local reinvestment, we’re strengthening the entire district and setting the stage for long-term economic vitality.”
According to Hager, examples of eligible projects include new awnings, masonry repair, signage, facade improvements, “historically appropriate” architectural restoration, interior improvements, and “beautification projects that enhance the district.” The work must be in compliance with city of Fort Smith form-based codes.
“An emphasis will be placed on projects with the highest visual and economic impact, such as façade improvements: awnings, exterior paint, masonry, and lighting,” noted Main Street Fort Smith literature about the program.
Hager has said momentum continues to grow in the downtown area, with $15 million in private downtown investment in 2025 and 19 new businesses opened.
According to its website, Main Street Fort Smith “is a nonprofit committed to creating vibrant spaces in downtown Fort Smith through business development, arts and culture, special events, and the promotion of attractive amenities to accelerate development of diverse commerce.”
Main Street Arkansas is a program within the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP). It was established in 1984 to help spark life into Arkansas’ traditionally commercial areas.