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Centerton mayor says city is financially sound as population surges, outlines major projects
Summary
Mayor Bill Edwards told the City Council on March 10 that Centerton is growing rapidly and is financially stable, citing a 6% population increase, new park and shelter upgrades, and major infrastructure projects including a $40 million Greenhouse Road plan and new water storage.
Mayor Bill Edwards told the Centerton City Council on March 10 that the city is "financially sound" and outlined a list of completed and planned projects aimed at managing rapid growth.
"Through fiscal responsibility and conservative budgeting, this administration and city council have continued to be good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars," Edwards said in his State of the City address. He reported an estimated population of 29,493, up from 27,821 the prior year, and said the city now covers roughly 14.3 square miles.
Edwards listed recent completions including a remodeled animal shelter with new office space and air-conditioned kennels and upgrades to Cornerwood Park funded in part by a $300,000 grant for playground equipment, restrooms and lighting. He also noted improvements at Kissick Park and a new 3-million-gallon water tower to serve growth on the west side of town.
On transportation and connectivity, Edwards highlighted the Highway 102 expansion and the Greenhouse Road project, which he described as an approximately $40 million, multi-phase effort that will include a four-lane roadway, a roundabout, and new traffic signals. He said easements and utility work are underway and that some project costs will be covered with grant funding.
The mayor emphasized grant-seeking as a strategy to reduce local tax burdens and described recent and ongoing applications for state aid and federal competitive grants for sidewalks, trails and road improvements. He said the city implemented impact fees last year to help offset infrastructure needs tied to growth.
Public safety investments were a major point of the address: Edwards said the city was named among the safest in Arkansas for 2026 and listed response and training statistics for police and fire services. He also reported growing building-permit activity and higher volumes of inspections and permit-fee revenue as indicators of development.
The mayor closed by reiterating priorities for the coming year—maintaining financial stability, improving roads, expanding parks, supporting public safety and encouraging responsible economic development—and pledged that the administration will post the full address and supporting documents on the city's website.
Why this matters: Centerton's rapid population and development growth are driving near-term infrastructure needs (roads, sewer capacity, water storage) and planning decisions that will affect neighborhood traffic, parks and downtown revitalization.
