Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver delivers state of the city address
by March 9, 2026 5:47 pm 361 views
Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver recently gave his sixth state of the city address where he touted the city’s economic growth last year and its “Destination 100K” initiative as it approaches 100,000 residents.
The mayor noted the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce cut ribbons on 150 new businesses last year. InnovAsian announced it will invest $105 million in a new facility at Craighead Technology Park and create 200 new jobs.
A new $5.5 million 911 Public Safety Center, supported by $3.5 million in federal funding will be built and another $5 million allocated for pedestrian infrastructure, trails and side paths. More than $3 million from reserves dedicated to road overlays in 2026 and $4.5 million in federal appropriations will be used for drainage and flood mitigation.
In addition, the Arkansas Department of Transportation has more than $100 million in active construction projects in Jonesboro, including the Airport Road Overpass, MLK Bypass completion, Southwest Drive improvements and Highway 351 expansion.
“This is not growth by happenstance,” the mayor said. “It’s progress by design.”
He also highlighted park investments, including a new northeast Jonesboro park funded in part by a $1 million Arkansas Parks Legacy Grant, plus upgrades to Allen Park and University Lions Park, lighting improvements at Craighead Forest Park and continued construction of the Ridge Athletic Center — a 200,000-square-foot indoor recreation facility expected to drive tourism and year-round local use.
Last year, the city launched “Plan Jonesboro,” a comprehensive growth strategy funded by the city council. Public engagement is underway through community meetings, surveys and a weeklong design charrette scheduled for March 30–April 3. Copenhaver encouraged attendees to engage with the public survey at PlanJonesboro.com.
“As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary and Jonesboro nears its 142nd year, we reflect on how far we’ve come — from a logging camp on a ridge to the cultural, medical and commercial hub of northeast Arkansas,” the mayor said. “That didn’t happen by chance. It happened because we worked together.”