Westside Community Guide

2023 Westside Community Guide – 3 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 working together will do awesome things," Mayor Bob arp stated. "Decatur has some of the best people you would ever want to meet! ey are caring and sharing people. A small food pantry, which is operated by a nonprofit, constantly keeps nonperishable items available for those in need." arp continued, "During the past year, large segments of land have been purchased for the specific purpose to build homes by multiple contracting companies." arp reflected on his hometown's deep roots back to frontier days. Decatur was originally called Corner Springs, until the post office officially declined that name and Decatur was chosen. arp noted that Corner Springs was the meeting point in the town of less than 300 people where people met and collected water for their livestock, families and gardens. "is is what Decatur does best, cares for each other," arp said. Just west of Centerton, which has one of the fastest growth rates in the state, Decatur is positioned to continue the westward growth trend occuring in Northwest Arkansas. "It's an exciting time for City of Decatur," arp said. "We're enthusiastic about the growth and, of course, the school district is excited along with us." arp's dedication to serving the community has a long, impressive history beyond serving as mayor. "I was a city councilman for two years before I was a mayor of Decatur," he 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 moving to Decatur, I was Mayor of Strafford, Missouri, which is outside of Springfield, Missouri, and spent four years as a city councilman for Strafford. My political history has been 22 years in the making. I love serving people. I love doing things that make the areas that I've served in better than I found them." arp is serving into his ninth year as mayor of Decatur. One of the ways he is working to make the town better is by creating a welcoming environment for new businesses. "We have the lowest sales tax in the county," arp 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." arp 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." Decatur is home to a Kansas City Southern Railroad train depot, one of the last still standing, that has been converted to a museum. Close by is a log cabin built in the mid-1800s, where some of the area's Civil War history is preserved. e city was recently presented with a photograph of George W. Heaslet, a Confederate Civil War officer who was killed in Decatur. He is buried in a family/Civil War cemetery on the north side of Decatur. Whether you are passing through or visiting, or a business or family looking to make Decatur your home, this small town in Northwest Arkansas is one to watch. ■ DECATUR: small-town gem positioned for growth SPONSOR CONTENT photo courtesy Mike Eckels www.decaturarkansas.com 479-752-8460

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