2026 Jonesboro State of the City Address highlights growth, investment, connectivity, and planning

Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – During his sixth State of the City address, Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver outlined significant progress across infrastructure, public safety, connectivity, and long-term planning, reinforcing the city’s commitment to the “Destination 100K” initiative — a strategic effort to reframe growth as an inevitability to be planned and prepared for.

“This is not growth by happenstance,” the Mayor said. “It’s progress by design.”

Economic Momentum

The Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce cut ribbons for 150 new businesses in 2025, generating hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in economic impact. Copenhaver also recognized InnovAsian as the city’s next major industrial partner. The company will invest $105 million in a new facility at Craighead Technology Park and create 200 new jobs.

Copenhaver praised city employees for their stewardship of public resources. Last year, the Finance Department processed more than 100,000 transactions, managed nearly 5,000 business licenses, distributed nearly $40 million in payroll, and received its 15th consecutive clean Legislative Audit, he said.

Infrastructure Investments

For the first time in nearly a generation, Copenhaver said, the City issued revenue bonds in 2025 to fund long-planned capital improvements, committing nearly $20 million toward projects that are now moving from paper to construction.

Key investments include:

A new $5.5 million 911 Public Safety Center, supported by $3.5 million in federal funding secured by Senator John Boozman.
$5 million allocated for pedestrian infrastructure, trails and sidepaths.
More than $3 million from reserves dedicated to road overlays in 2026.
$4.5 million in federal appropriations for drainage and flood mitigation, including $1 million in federal funds secured by Congressman Rick Crawford for drainage improvements and flood mitigation along Lost Creek.
Nearly $500,000 for industrial rail upgrades to support manufacturing partners.

In addition, the Arkansas Department of Transportation has more than $100 million in active construction projects in Jonesboro, including the Airport Road Overpass, MLK Bypass completion, Southwest Drive improvements, and Highway 351 expansion.

Public Safety & Quality of Life

Nearly half of the City’s annual budget — approximately $40 million — is dedicated to public safety. The City recently approved funding for two new fire engines and lifesaving equipment to maintain Jonesboro’s ISO 1 Fire Rating.

Mayor Copenhaver highlighted the human aspect of public safety throughout his speech, stating, “Saving lives starts with investing in them.”

Despite significant population growth, criminal incident reporting data shows that violent crime in Jonesboro is at its lowest level in a decade.

Healthcare continues to anchor the region’s quality of life. NEA Baptist and St. Bernards Healthcare serve as the medical backbone of Northeast Arkansas, supported by a strong workforce pipeline from Arkansas State University and NYIT, further solidifying Jonesboro as northeast Arkansas’s healthcare hub.

The City also highlighted park investments, including a new northeast Jonesboro park funded in part by a $1 million Arkansas Parks Legacy Grant, plus upgrades to Allen Park and University Lions Park, lighting improvements at Craighead Forest Park and continued construction of the Ridge Athletic Center — a 200,000-square-foot indoor recreation facility expected to drive tourism and year-round local use.

Connectivity & Transportation

Jonesboro’s municipal airport will soon open a new $6 million terminal, with runway improvements funded through more than $20 million in airport investments over the past four years. The upgrades helped generate three bids for commercial air service in 2026.

Public transit also received a major rebrand. The City unveiled “GOJO,” a modernized transit identity featuring expanded trolley-style buses, new routes connecting Arkansas State University and downtown, upgraded shelters, and a new app allowing riders to track buses and plan trips in real time.

Trail expansion and pedestrian safety projects, including HAWK signal crossings, continue as part of the JBR Trail System, reinforcing the City’s commitment to walkability and accessibility.

Planning for the Future

The City officially launched “Plan Jonesboro,” a comprehensive growth strategy funded by the City Council in 2025. Public engagement is underway through community meetings, surveys, and a weeklong design charrette scheduled for March 30–April 3. Copenhaver encouraged attendees to engage with the public survey at PlanJonesboro.com

A comparison of expenses from 10 years ago was presented at the State of the City by Mayor Harold Copenhaver.

Copenhaver emphasized that preparing for growth requires partnership at every level — local, state, and federal — as well as collaboration with schools, universities, healthcare providers, businesses, and nonprofits.

“As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary and Jonesboro nears its 142nd year, we reflect on how far we’ve come — from a logging camp on a ridge to the cultural, medical and commercial hub of northeast Arkansas,” the Mayor said. “That didn’t happen by chance. It happened because we worked together.”

The address concluded with a call to continued unity and investment as Jonesboro prepares for its next chapter of growth. Copenhaver challenged Jonesboro residents to “Be proud. Be bold. Be Jonesboro’s biggest champion.”