2024 Year in Review: Harrison, Arkansas
As 2024 concludes, Harrison celebrates a year of meaningful progress, community collaboration, and impactful achievements. Together, we have worked to enhance our quality of life, improve infrastructure, and create an environment where citizens feel safe. Here are some of the highlights of this successful year:
2024 Achievements
• Successfully transitioned to a new accounting software, streamlining financial operations and improving efficiency.
• Made an early additional payment on the community center bond in June 2024, reducing long-term debt.
• Achieved record-breaking sales tax revenues, surpassing previous years and strengthening the city’s financial outlook.
• Launched the Camp Jack grant initiative, bringing new opportunities for community development and support.
Public Safety and Technology
• Police Enhancements: Officers are now stationed at every school campus, thanks to our partnership with the Harrison School District. Detective Ted Schaeffer joined Homeland Security as a task force officer, bringing our total to three. Federal partnerships have provided invaluable resources, including AXON body cameras, Tasers, and FLOCK license plate readers, which have already helped recover stolen vehicles and apprehend fugitives.
Replaced two aging trucks with a new rescue truck equipped with a pump and tank, reducing fleet size while improving efficiency. Maintained our ISO rating of 2, saving residents on home insurance.
Progressed on plans for a new Fire Station No.2 and completed the first phase of the storm siren control system upgrade.
Infrastructure and Beautification
• Main Street Beautification: The first phase of downtown improvements is nearing completion, with plans for a broader, multi-year revitalization.
• Public Works Facility: Completed a long-overdue update to the Public Works Facility, originally built in the 1980s, bringing it up to modern standards.
• Rose Hill Cemetery: Completed key upgrades, including access drive repaving, championed by the late Councilwoman Mary Jean Creager, and an entryway arch rehabilitation led by Eagle Scout Kyle Whiteside of Troop 60.
Creekside Community Center
The Creekside Community Center, a $20 million facility, opened on October 13, 2024. This state-of-the-art complex offers aquatics, court sports, meeting spaces, and event areas. Membership goals of 1,000 were exceeded, with 2,400 members joining in the first three months.
Sports and Tourism
• Equity Bank Fields: Installed covered bleacher stands for safety and shade, and added new metal LED light poles on two fields.
• Record-Breaking Tournaments: Hosted local, state, and national tournaments in collaboration with partners like North Arkansas College, Explore Harrison, USSSA, and Be Elite Sports. These events had a significant economic impact, drawing visitors and boosting local businesses.
• Future Growth: Partnerships with these organizations have strengthened, ensuring Harrison remains a hub for competitive events and tourism.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With momentum from 2024, we look forward to continued investments in safety, infrastructure, and recreation. Harrison is poised for another year of success, from the construction of Fire Station No. 2 to further beautifying our downtown and expanding Creekside programs. Together, we will build on this year’s accomplishments to create a brighter future for our community.
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