Westside Community Guide

2023 Westside Community Guide – 13 Janie Parks has been the executive director of the Gentry Chamber of Commerce for seven years, but her roots run deeper. She and her husband owned a local business, Parks Lumber, for 35 years and she has been a Chamber board member for over 30 years. Organizing and facilitating events and functions is just the beginning of her job at the Chamber. Her certification in 2021 as a Professional Community and Economic Developer put a title to the role she had been doing for years: "To assist with the economic development of the City of Gentry, to be an advocate for the Gentry businesses, and strive to make Gentry a town that the citizens are happy to call home," Parks said. e Gentry Chamber of Commerce sponsors and organizes several events throughout the year, including the Gentry Freedom Fest, the Quilt Show, Kids Fishing Derby, Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Parade, Pickin' Time on 59, and Gentry's Neighbors for Neighbors Program. e Neighbors for Neighbors Program was started a little over a year ago. Funded through donations to the United Way of Gentry, the program provides assistance in the way of food, clothing and other necessities. Anyone in need can apply through the Gentry Chamber of Commerce office. e program also assists at Gentry High School, where a room called "e Closet" allows students to pick out clothing and personal care items. e innovative program enables Gentry residents and businesses to make donations that will help with the immediate needs of those in their own community. "e Freedom Fest on July Fourth is our biggest event of the year, drawing between 12,000 and 15,000 people to Gentry during the one-day event," Parks said. "e day ends with one of the best fireworks displays in Northwest Arkansas." Pickin' Time on 59 is an event held in conjunction with Siloam Springs, Decatur, Gravette and Sulphur Springs. Each town organizes vintage, antique and garage sales along Highway 59. e three-day event draws thousands of bargain hunters from many states to the area. Parks explained that each of these things positively impacts the community. "Every function or event the Chamber plans has a goal of improving the quality of life and place for our citizens. All Chamber community events are free of charge due to the support of our generous Chamber member businesses and supporters. "e first question we ask when planning an event, function or gathering is 'How can we draw customers into our local businesses?'" she added. Chamber of Commerce business members are supported through the Chamber's website (www.gentrychamber.com) and the Chamber's Shout-Out newsletters. e city is constantly growing and improving, earning its "Happy To Call It Home" reputation. Parks added that she always makes herself available to help entrepreneurs get started in their new businesses. "In 2021, the City of Gentry opened our Gentry Splash Park and in 2022 the brand new Gentry Sports Complex was opened with beautiful new baseball, soball and soccer fields," Parks pointed out. "ere is also a new walking trail included at the complex." e Splash Park is one of the largest splash parks around. Located in Main Street Park in the middle of Gentry, it is within walking distance for most of the residents of Gentry. e Gentry Chamber of Commerce/ Main Street Gentry Inc. is currently working with McClelland Engineers on a Downtown Gentry Revitalization Plan. is plan will focus on creating a downtown that is a shoppable, liveable and walkable space. "Our goal is to create a downtown that is attractive and vibrant yet still has the hometown feel that we all love," Parks said. "We are experiencing extraordinary population growth, and with that growth comes the need for new businesses and expansion of current businesses." Like the town itself, Gentry's business mix is unique. Parks pointed to the many specialty businesses in town, including e Wooden Spoon, Spavinaw Stove Company, KDT Vintage, e Chicken Coop, McKee Company Store, and more. A small-town atmosphere, great schools and friendly people make Gentry a great place to live. A growing business community reflects a town that more and more people are happy to call home. ■ GENTRY: a town that residents are happy to call home SPONSOR CONTENT www.gentrychamber.com 479-736-2358

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