Developing Howard County Reviews Retail Prospects, Entertainment Initiatives at Monthly Meeting
The Developing Howard County (DHC) board held its monthly meeting last week on the Nashville campus of UA Cossatot, where members received updates on economic development efforts and ongoing community initiatives.
Executive Director Vanessa Weeks reported attending a recent Lithium Summit focused on the rapidly expanding lithium industry in Southwest Arkansas. She also participated, along with two colleagues, in a Retail Strategies workshop tailored to six Arkansas communities. During the session, Nashville and Howard County were identified as meeting the criteria for 38 national retailers considering potential franchise locations.
The Developing Entertainment for Howard County committee shared the full list of prospective retailers. Names include Tractor Supply, ROSS, Anytime Fitness, Harps, ALDI, Dunkin’ Donuts, Shoe Show, Slim Chickens, Scooter’s, Boot Barn, Waffle House, Little Caesars, Dairy Queen, Raising Cane’s, Wingstop, Arby’s, Hibbett Sports, Jimmy John’s, Braum’s, Golden Chick, SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, Casey’s, Popeyes, Burger King, Papa John’s, Take 5, AutoZone, AT&T, and Goodwill.
While none of the companies have expressed direct interest in locating in Nashville at this time, Weeks emphasized that the community meets the population and sustainability benchmarks many retailers require.
DHC member Stephanie Harrison provided an update on the newly formed Developing Entertainment for Howard County committee. She announced that all necessary state and county paperwork has been filed to begin collecting signatures for a petition to place a wet/dry alcohol measure on the November 2026 ballot. The committee will need 2,616 valid signatures but aims to gather more than 3,200 to ensure the measure qualifies.
Weeks also reported that DHC has received a pivot report for the Okay site in South Howard County. The assessment outlines challenges at the location, including federal permits that would be required to make the site viable for development.