Economy In Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fort Smith is in Sebastian County, Arkansas and recognized by economists and top financial magazines as one of the Best 25 Small Cities for Jobs and Business in America. Even though considered a small city by the US Federal Government, Fort Smith is the second largest city in the state, just behind Little Rock.

In 1817, US troops traveled to area known as Belle Point, named by French fur traders earlier, and built a fort. This fort was intended to withstand any raids against settlers made by the Cherokee and Osage Nations that had migrated into that area. No evidence of earlier Indigenous Peoples have materialized in this area, except one ceremonial mound of uncertain origin.

The US Army fort became Fort Smith, while the settlement arising around it became the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas. The military forces left, and Native Americans came in to trade furs and establish a positive relationship with the settlers. After US troops returned, trade continued to grow between town merchants, troops at the fort, and Native Americans.

The Gold Rush of 1849 brought in additional residents and businesses to Fort Smith, which grew further to become a major stop for wagon trains headed west. Joining the Confederacy during the American Civil War, Fort Smith and the other damaged cities of Arkansas were later reconstructed after the war.

Fort Smith was restored to an even larger and more prosperous city than prior to the war and became the major gateway to the West. today, Travel and Tourism are still health parts of the local economy of Fort Smith.

Fort Smith's healthy economy is based largely in Food Processing, Healthcare, Education, and Appliance Manufacturing. Tourism and related industries bolster this healthy business environment, given the presence of The Fort Smith National Historic Area and the fascinating history of legendary train robbers and bandits in the area. This includes the infamous Bonnie and Clyde, among others.

However, the fastest growing industry in the Fort Smith area is Gas and Oil Extraction, along with Petroleum Engineering and related Service Unit and Oil Derrick Operations. Computer and Information Technology Professionals are needed in increasing numbers to handle the data associated with the Energy Industry and all the other industry sectors.

• Fort Smith National Historic Site, is the major draw for history buffs in Fort Smith. You will see the remains of the original 1817 fort on the Arkansas River. As you go inside, you stand in the courtroom of Hanging Judge Isaac C. Parker. He hanged more convicted criminals than any other judge in the Old West. Fort Smith sponsors a yearly airshow.
• Belle Grove Historic District, is an interesting a 22-block area in downtown Fort Smith with 130 years of architectural styles.
• Fort Chaffee, US Army and Air National Guard and Reserve Corps and active units. In 1958, Elvis Presley visited Fort Chaffee on the way to his army basic training. His station in German changed his life when he met future wife, Priscilla. today, his granddaughter Riley looks a lot like him.
• Miss Laura's Social Club is a famous one-time brothel, the only former house of prostitution on the US National Register of Historic Places.
• Trolley Museum and rides are located at 100 S 4th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901, Famous railroad locomotives are houses here.

1. Sparks Regional Medical Center - Healthcare
2. O K Industries Incorporated - Two large locations for poultry processing.
3. Whirlpool - Appliance manufacturing.
4. St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center - Healthcare
5. Rheem Ruud Air Conditioning - HVAC
6. Fort Smith School District - Education, Pre-K thru 12
7. Baldor Electric Company - Manufacture of generators and motors [Energy related industry sector]
8. Fort Smith Fighter Wing
9. University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
10. ArcBest
11. City of Fort Smith - Government employment.

he top four of the top ten most in-demand jobs in the Greater Fort Smith Area are related to Energy - specifically, Oil and Gas. In fact, the Number One Job on this list – Service Unit Operators - is increasing by a rate of 80% from 2004 – 2014. The remaining six high demand occupations are in the vital areas of Information Technology (needed in nearly all industries), Education, and Health/Social Services.

This pattern of high demand occupations fits the ongoing progress achieved in Fort Smith in creating new jobs through energy and alternative energy sources, revitalizing the city, and educating and serving the populations that need intensified health and education services.

These positive patterns and progress combine to keep Fort Smith on the list of Best Small Cities in America.

1. Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining - Oil and Gas
2. Petroleum Engineers - Oil and Gas
3. Extraction Workers – Oil and Gas
4. Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
5. Computer Systems Software Engineers - IT
6. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors - Health
7. Postsecondary Teachers – College Level Education
8. Network and Computer Systems Administrators - IT
9. Vocational Education Teachers – College Level Education
10. Community and Social Service Specialists – Health/Social Services

Other high demand occupations that are experiencing many new openings are:

• Tractor Trailer Truck Drivers
• Transportation and Freight Movers
• Manufacturing and Production jobs
• All medical professions - Registered Nurses (RNs), physicians, physical/occupation therapists, aides, etc.

The Greater Fort Smith Area is served by Federal and County funding that provides some subsidized Education and Training opportunities for its residents under the legislation of the current Workforce Investment Act or WIA.

These opportunities cover qualifying adults of all ages, including senior citizens. Others can attend by paying the customary fees, but also may qualify to use any customary and usual grants/scholarships provided by any of the institutions. These school include short certificate courses all the way up to 4-year degrees.

• Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas, Inc. – Training and Jobs for Senior Citizens
• Arkansas Oklahoma School of Real Estate
• Arthurs Beauty College at Fort Smith
• Askins VoTech, Inc.
• CompuMaster
• H & R Block Income Tax School
• Mellie's Beauty College
• Petra Allied Health, Inc.
• SBC Health
• Skillpath Seminars – Ongoing Professional Development Classes
• University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
• Westark Barber College

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith offers dozens of career opportunity majors that include an innovative degree in Workforce Leadership; sever nursing degrees, many technology degrees that apply to the fast growing jobs in the area, sciences, automotive specialties, and a number of other professions. The university offers 2-year Associate and 4-year Bachelor degrees, as well as several Technical Certificates and Proficiency Certificates.

Overall, the university is able to train students successfully to take on the high demand and high paying jobs available in the Western Arkansas area. This incudes the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of Fort Smith. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Wind Energy are among the alternative energy sources under study and development at this time.

• US Department of Energy Jobs at Fort Smith.
• Greater Fort Smith Area Jobs
• Nursing Jobs In and Around Fort Smith 

• University of Arkansas at Fort Smith LIONS - Multiple sports
• Fort Smith Parks and Recreation
• Fort Smith Golf Courses
• Sebastian County Girls Softball League