A new early childhood education center will be opening its first location in Fort Smith in October. According to a news release, The Goddard School will be nearly 10,000 square feet and have 9 classrooms to educate more than 150 children from infants to pre-kindergarteners.

A big part of the positive economic equation is the success of Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, which has set records for real estate sales during the past two years. Chaffee stands as one of the shining examples of a successful public-private partnership following the BRAC process. In fact, the pace of construction at what's now known as Chaffee Crossing almost made me think I was in Benton County.

It all begins with an idea.

Officials with the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center announced Thursday (March 30) a fundraising campaign that will help the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reimagine the Fort Smith-based center for the next generation.