Westside Community Guide

2022 Westside Community Guide – 5 Decatur is a small city nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Its heart lies at the intersection of Arkansas Highways 59 and 102. "Decatur is a great small-town community," Mayor Bob Tharp began. "We have wonderful people, wonderful values. We have great access to the rest of the state. And Decatur is a community that is on the brink of enormous growth." Just west of Centerton, which has one of the fastest growth rates in the state, Decatur is positioned to continue the westward growth trend currently happening in Northwest Arkansas. "We find ourselves at this time with four active subdivisions in Decatur that are either in the planning stages or have already started construction," Bob said. "We believe we are going to double the size of our town that has a population of about 2,000. That means there are 2,000 people somewhere out there that don't know it yet, but they're going to be living in Decatur in two years." In addition to this, a fifth subdivision that will create another 700 homes is in the works as well. "It's an exciting time for City of Decatur," Bob said. "We're enthusiastic about the growth and, of course, the school district is excited along with us. I served on the school board for several years so my background has helped build a strong relationship with them and give me a great understanding what their needs are." Bob's dedication to serving the community has a long, impressive history beyond serving as mayor and on the school board. "I was a city councilman for two years before I was a mayor of Decatur," Bob said. "I was a justice of the peace for four years prior to that and served a six-year term on the Decatur School Board before that. Prior to me moving to Decatur, I was Mayor of Strafford, Missouri which is outside of Springfield MO, and spent four years as a city councilman for Stratford. My political history has been 22 years in the making. I love serving people. I love doing things that makes the areas that I've served in better than I found them." One of the ways the mayor is working to make the town better is creating a welcoming environment for new businesses. "We have the lowest sales tax in the county," Bob said. "And we have one of the lowest rates on water and sewer. Decatur is such a great place to come and do business. And we have plenty of people that are willing and ready to come to work for those businesses, too." Bob feels that fast food service chains, in particular, have a unique opportunity in Decatur. "If you are in the business of food service, it's wide open," he said. "Because of the size of the town today, we have not had a fast food chain of any kind come to our city. But with the building of these subdivisions there is going to be a real need here. I think the first ones to show up are going to end up getting the best real estate to build on in town." Other points of interest in Decatur include the Annual Decatur Barbeque which happens the first Saturday of every August. This is a 60-year+ tradition that includes a parade, entertainment, chicken dinners, car show, crafts, and much more. Decatur is also home to one of the last standing Kansas City Southern train depots that has been converted to a museum. Close by is a mid-1800s log cabin that preserves some of the history of the area during the Civil War Days Whether you are passing through, visiting, or a business or family looking to make Decatur your home, this small town is one to watch in Northwest Arkansas. Westside Eagle Observer/ MIKE ECKELS After a long period with no rain, the spillway at Crystal Lake near Decatur is flowing once again after more than two inches of beneficial rain fell in the area Oct. 14. a small-town gem that is one to watch ■ DECATUR: SPONSOR CONTENT www.decaturarkansas.com 479-752-8460

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