Pictured, from left, are Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley; Paul Phillips, Trendsetter City judge; and Wes Lemons, manager of Arkadelphia Utilities. | Courtesy photo
ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas — The City of Arkadelphia is a Trendsetter once again!
City officials are proud to announce that Arkadelphia has been named a 2025 Arkansas Business Association Trendsetter City. Each year, the Arkansas Business Association highlights cities and towns across the state whose innovative initiatives in community development and economic growth inspire change and make a meaningful impact across Arkansas.
Arkadelphia received an honorable mention in the Infrastructure and Water category for municipalities with populations between 5,000 and 20,000. The recognition honors Arkadelphia’s water and wastewater line relocation project completed in conjunction with the Arkadelphia Bypass project. This achievement received statewide recognition in the December 15 issue of Arkansas Business and at the Arkansas Municipal League Winter Conference on January 15.
“The water and wastewater line relocation project was a major effort,” said Utilities Manager Wes Lemons. “After years of planning and work, Arkadelphia is well prepared for the decades of growth. We are proud to be recognized as a Trendsetter City and remain committed to maintaining a reliable and efficient water system.”
This is the third time Arkadelphia has been selected as an Arkansas Business Trendsetter City.
In 2022, Arkadelphia was recognized for its Cop Walk program in the Public Works/Environmental and Green Management category, and in 2024, the city was recognized for its Black History Month programming in the Diversity/Inclusion Category.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Arkadelphia’s Trendsetter recognition.