Page 6 - 2026 VB Community Profile

COMMUNITY
Welcome to Van Buren!

Investing in Our Community’s Future

The Van Buren Chamber hopes
you take the time to explore our
community and all of the wonderful
things it has to offer. And when you’re
through exploring, you will understand
why we are one of the fastest growing
communities in the state of Arkansas.
Van Buren offers the optimum mix of
location, transportation, education and
recreation to meet the wants and needs
of our growing community.
Strong bonds between city and county
government, the business community,
educators, and area non-profit agencies
have created an environment of positive
change. Nowhere is that more evident
than in the new Business Resource
Center that houses the Chamber offices,
a satellite office of the Arkansas Small
Business and Technology Development
Center, and two of our local service clubs Investors and stakeholders in the new Business Resource Center cut the ribbon to officially
– the Van Buren Lions Club and Rotary open the facility in mid-October 2025. Photo courtesy The Chamber
Club of Van Buren.
The Van Buren Chamber is proud
to facilitate and help steer the neighboring Lee Creek and nearby Frog University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
partnerships formed in recent years to Bayou. Cast your line and you may catch and Arkansas Tech University – Ozark
benefit the city and region. Teamwork one of several species of bass, crappie Campus. Arkansas Colleges of Health
is a vital component of this ongoing and catfish. Education in Fort Smith also offers
development. Partnerships between the Our community boasts many parks, post-graduate degrees in a variety of
Chamber and key entities have helped with amenities such as disc golf courses, health sciences, including Osteopathic
foster an environment of creativity and softball and baseball fields, a skate park, Medicine, Occupational and Physical
problem solving, which has led to higher walking trails, mountain bike trails, picnic Therapy.
quality of place and overall living. These pavilions and playgrounds. Cost of housing, food and utilities
factors help in recruiting and retaining Boating, canoeing and kayaking are in our area continues to be some of
talent, and in encouraging others to visit also available on area waterways. Four the most affordable in the region, and
or build their lives here. Arkansas State Parks (Lake Fort Smith, availability of buildable land makes Van
We are more than a “crossroads Devils Den, Lake Dardanelle and Mount Buren an attractive spot for developers
community” – although the intersection Magazine) are also within an hour and a and builders.
of US Highway 71 and Interstate 40 has half drive of Van Buren. Served by railroad, interstate
provided a stimulus for our growth over As you will quickly learn while reading highways, and a major river port,
the years. Our convenient location and this magazine, there is no shortage of industries relying on accessibility to the
access to these busy transportation things to experience in our region. Fort central United States continue to choose
corridors gives us access to amenities Smith is just across the Arkansas River, Van Buren to produce and/or ship their
unlike most communities our size. Fayetteville is less than an hour north on products. The city’s industrial park houses
You can spend the day strolling I-49, and Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Little several manufacturers, distributors, and
through our historic downtown – Rock are less than three hours away by transportation companies who have
shopping, enjoying a meal or a good car. been able to take advantage of the
book, stopping by our visitor’s center Van Buren boasts a public school proximity to these thoroughfares.
at the Train Depot, or cooling off at the district that prioritizes student success, The Van Buren Chamber welcomes
splash pad. A wide variety of locally from pre-K through Adult Education. you to our community and looks forward
owned and recognizable national chain New career-focused options have been to helping you learn more about our
restaurants provide opportunities for created to help students experience vibrant region. Whether you are passing
dining and evening entertainment. internships in several fields. Post- through or looking for a place to relocate
The adjacent Arkansas River is a great secondary degrees and certificate your home or business, we thank you for
place to test your fishing skills, as are programs are available through the choosing Van Buren!
6 Van Buren Chamber 2026 Community Profile vanburenchamber.org