Westside Community Guide

22 – 2023 Westside Community Guide Custom Metal Buildings built locally to meet your needs w w w. M A R AT H O N M E TA L . c o m s a l e s @ M a r a t h o n M e t a l . c o m • Red Iron Buildings • All Steel Structures • All Bolt-Up Structures • Engineered Buildings 866-479-7870 Gravette, AR ■ GRAvETTE: e Heart of Hometown america Gravette strives to be known as a place that is uniquely independent and exceptionally family friendly – e Heart of Hometown America. It covers nearly 14 square miles with a population of nearly 4,000 and is within minutes of most major cities and employers in Northwest Arkansas. Within a 20-mile area, you will find golf courses, lakes, fishing, tennis, walking trails, restaurants, hotels and motels, as well as the beauty of the Ozarks. Gravette, originally spelled "Gravett," was founded in 1893 and was originally referred to as a "gate community" because it was once a gateway from Arkansas to Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. E.T. and Laura Gravett, the town's namesake, played a crucial role in establishing the town in the railroad system, which prompted much of Gravette's early development. e mystery remains as to how the additional "e" got added to the town name, but legend has it the name resulted from confusion at the local post office with a town of a similar name. ere have been several noteworthy citizens who called Gravette home, including Capt. Field E. Kindley, a World War I flying ace; U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson; Gov. Asa Hutchinson; cowboy film star Lloyd "Slim" Andrews; Boston Red Sox outfielder Gene Stephens; country music singer Jeff Carson; and Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame inductee and activist Dorothy Stuck. Local businesses are one of the driving forces of the city, and according to the City of Gravette more than 80% of Gravette's registered businesses are small businesses with less than 20 employees. However, Gravette's five largest businesses, such as the local hospital, employ nearly 1,000 people. ere has been a steady increase in sales tax revenue over the last several years, and each year numerous businesses seek to call Gravette home. Gravette has been a hub of development in recent years, and as it continues to grow it has more to offer its loyal and prospective businesses and residents. e recent opening of the new Interstate 49 bypass is bringing more growth opportunities to the area. As Northwest Arkansas grows, more and more people are seeking the quiet, rural atmosphere offered by Gravette, while keeping the ease of access to larger more urban communities like Bentonville and Fayetteville. Gravette's active and strong Chamber of Commerce is continually working to better the community and is responsible for several events throughout the year that include the Chamber Gala and Teacher Appreciation Day, and support for community events including the July Fourth celebration, the Fall Festival, and Christmas events. In 2022, the Chamber launched the Gravette Area smartphone app to assist residents and visitors find what

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