Regional Roundup: Infrastructure Investments, Record Enrollment, and Healthcare Milestones in the Fort Smith Metro
The Fort Smith metro area is seeing a wave of development and institutional progress this week, ranging from critical infrastructure overhauls in Mulberry to historic enrollment growth at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark.
Here are the latest updates from across the region.
Mulberry Water Infrastructure Gets $10 Million Boost
The city of Mulberry has successfully restored its water treatment plant to full operational capacity, thanks to a $10 million infusion of federal funding. U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.) and David Branscum, the USDA Rural Development State Director for Arkansas, recently visited the site to highlight the impact of the investment.
The funds, provided through a USDA Rural Development grant and loan package, were used to execute vital repairs and expand the facility’s overall capacity. Senator Boozman, who chairs the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, emphasized the importance of the project. "Reliable access to clean, safe water is something every community should be able to count on," Boozman said, noting that he intends to continue prioritizing rural water infrastructure through legislative efforts like the upcoming Farm Bill 2.0.
ATU-Ozark Records Historic Enrollment Surge
Arkansas Tech University-Ozark is celebrating a banner year, reporting a total enrollment of 2,095 students for the fall 2026 semester. This figure represents a 12.3% increase over the previous year and the campus’s highest enrollment since 2019.
"Our enrollment increase represents students who have chosen ATU-Ozark as a place to build a future," said Chancellor Dr. Sheila R. Jacobs. The growth is broad-based: the campus saw its largest entering freshman class in history (a 12.5% increase), while concurrent enrollment for high school students jumped by 25.1%. This steady climb continues a four-year recovery trend, with total enrollment rising 22.5% since 2022.
Pocola Community Center Expands with Choctaw Nation Support
The city of Pocola, Oklahoma, is nearing the completion of its new community center, bolstered by a $148,500 donation from the Choctaw Development Fund. The funding is specifically earmarked for critical site work, including the construction of an 18,000-square-foot parking lot slated for completion in October.
Pocola Mayor Roy Walker noted that the facility, which has already undergone interior renovations, will serve as a vital gathering space and a revenue-generating hub for the town through event rentals.
Youth Access at the U.S. Marshals Museum
The U.S. Marshals Museum is making history more accessible to the next generation thanks to a new sponsorship from Mercy. For the remainder of 2026, youth ages 17 and under will receive free general admission to the museum every Saturday. Students 18 and older can also gain entry by presenting a valid student ID.
Ben Johnson, president and CEO of the museum, praised the partnership, stating it will help "thousands of youth and students to engage with stories of courage, service, justice and sacrifice." The initiative runs through December 26, 2026.
Mercy Recognized for Cardiovascular Excellence
In addition to their educational partnership, Mercy’s healthcare facilities in Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas are earning national acclaim. Both hospitals have been honored with the 2026 American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award.
This distinction is the highest honor bestowed by the ACC, recognizing hospitals that adhere to the most rigorous, guideline-driven standards for heart attack care. Given that over 800,000 Americans experience a heart attack annually, the recognition underscores Mercy’s role in delivering the rapid, high-quality interventions necessary to improve patient survival rates.
For more details on these developments, read the full Fort Smith metro news briefs here.
