Following are recent news brief items from the Fort Smith metro.
Affordable Housing
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) provided a $90,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant through Arvest Bank to Community Rescue Mission to assist with the construction of six affordable duplexes near downtown Fort Smith.
The Miller Cottages will consist of three duplexes (six units) for families on land adjacent to Community Rescue Mission’s transitional housing development, which provides 66 rooms and a central dining hall.
“The AHP grant went a long way for us toward being able to complete the project and enter into it debt free,” said Community Rescue Mission Director Jordan Bone. “We think it will also be a good jumping off point to provide more affordable housing in the future.”
Construction has begun and will take about nine months to complete, he said. Families will pay rent based on their income and are expected to stay in the duplexes for about a year before transitioning into permanent housing.
“We think these duplexes will go a long way in helping families who experience homelessness to become self-sufficient,” Arvest Group CRA Director Virgil Miller said. “The support that Miller Cottages received from FHLB Dallas was important in reaching this milestone.”
AHP funds are awarded through FHLB Dallas member institutions such as Arvest Bank and assist FHLB Dallas members in financing the purchase, construction and rehabilitation of owner-occupied, rental or transitional housing and housing for homeless individuals. The funds must be used to benefit households with incomes at or below 80% of the median income for the area.
Airport ‘PreCheck’
The Fort Smith Regional Airport is now offering Transportation Security Administration (TSA) “PreCheck” enrollment through CLEAR, which is an official TSA PreCheck enrollment provider.
The program launched on July 9, 2025, when CLEAR staff enrolled more than 130 people during the kickoff event at the airport.
TSA PreCheck members benefit from the convenience of keeping shoes, belts and light jackets on during the security checkpoint process. They can also leave electronics and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags. Members generally experience faster security screening, with about 99% of them waiting less than 10 minutes at airport checkpoints nationwide.
“We’re proud to bring TSA PreCheck enrollment to Fort Smith Regional Airport in partnership with CLEAR,” said Lindsay Conley, airport co-interim director. “This service makes trusted traveler enrollment more accessible to our region, helping residents save time and reduce stress when they fly. We’re especially honored to support military families in our community by expanding access to TSA PreCheck and recognizing their service through TSA’s recent initiatives.”
A $25 enrollment discount will be applied for spouses of serving uniformed service members.
TSA PreCheck enrollment through CLEAR is located at the cafe area next to the security checkpoint entrance at FSM. Enrollment events will take place the first Thursday of every month, with the following operating hours: 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; 7:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The future dates scheduled are Oct. 2, 2025, Nov. 6, 2025, and Dec. 4, 2025. Link here to learn more about the program.
Taco Bell Grant
Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs (FSBGC) has been selected as a recipient of a 2025 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation. The funding will support teen programming in the areas of academic success, college exploration, career exploration and social/emotional learning/trauma informed care, and helping youth in the Fort Smith community access essential resources to achieve their goals.
“This grant allows us to expand opportunities for teens in Fort Smith — providing them with the academic support, career exploration, and emotional tools they need to thrive,” said FSBGC CEO Beth Presley, “We are grateful to the Taco Bell Foundation and the local Taco Bell franchisee, K-MAC Enterprises, for believing in our mission and investing in the bright futures of our community’s youth.”
The Taco Bell Foundation awarded a record $28 million in community grants this year to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations nationwide.
Through this grant, the FSBGC will be able to support their teen programming, ensuring that local teenage students have access to a safe and supportive space that prepares them for a successful adulthood.
Nursing Exam Success
The nursing programs at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and Ozark achieved a 100% pass rate on the National Council on Licensure Exams (NCLEX) during the 2024-25 academic year.
“This accomplishment reflects the hard work, perseverance and professionalism of our students, who remained focused and committed to their goals throughout their nursing education,” said Dr. Shelly Daily, department head and professor in the ATU Department of Nursing on the Russellville campus. “Our nursing faculty are deeply invested in student success, providing expert instruction, individualized support and a student-centered learning environment that fosters excellence.”
Daily also credited consistent curricular review with the NCLEX test plan and clinical affiliates that provide students with learning experiences that help them become practice ready as factors in the NCLEX 100% pass rate. This marks the second consecutive academic year that the ATU Department of Nursing in Russellville has achieved a 100% pass rate.
ATU-Ozark has built its pipeline with three consecutive practical nursing cohorts that achieved a 100 percent NCLEX pass rate. In 2024-25, that pipeline of talent helped the ATU-Ozark registered nursing program reach a 100 percent pass rate as well.
“At ATU-Ozark, our students and faculty are the heart of our RN program,” said Lisa Pittman, program chair and instructor in the ATU-Ozark registered nursing program. “Our students have grit, dedication and an unwavering work ethic as they pursue their goal of becoming registered nurses.”
Bridge Closure
The bridge across the Frog Bayou on Highway 282 west of U.S. 71 between Alma and Mountainburg is scheduled to close around the clock starting at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11 and the closure is expected to remain in place for 120 days.
Crews will replace the existing bridge with a box culvert. The highway will remain open to local traffic only on either side of the closure. A signed detour will be in place.
Northbound traffic will detour using U.S. 71 north to Highway 282 in Mountainburg and then proceed south on Highway 282. Southbound traffic will take U.S. 71 south to Highway 282 near Alma and then proceed north on Highway 282.
Digital message boards, construction barrels, barricades, and signage will be in place to notify motorists of the closures.