CONWAY+ 2026 | Community Profile & Resource Guide

We only get one life. At Baptist Health, we want yours to be the best.

FOR YOU. FOR LIFE

At Baptist Health-Conway clinics, we are committed to helping your family thrive, from the smallest smiles to life’s biggest challenges. We offer expert care across various specialties, including Gastroenterology, Pediatrics, General Surgery, and more. Our wide range of services is designed to help you live your best life. Because life is not just about living; it’s about living well.

Baptist Health Gastroenterology Clinic-Conway

Offering treatment plans and testing to improve overall digestive health and protecting patient health through colonoscopies

Baptist Health Family Clinics

With two locations, Baptist Health Family Clinic Conway and Salem Road offer a wide range of comprehensive family medical care services, as well as referrals for specialty appointments

Baptist Health Pediatric Clinic-Conway

Providing quality pediatric care to the families of Conway and surrounding communities in a friendly and caring environment

Baptist Health Surgical and Specialty Clinic-Conway Comprehensive surgical care when you need it most, with robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and outpatient endocrinology

Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Conway

Ensuring each woman receives the personalized care she needs, at any stage of life UAMS

Baptist Health Orthopaedic Clinic-Conway

Combining the expertise of the state’s largest fellowship trained orthopaedic team with the state’s largest, most comprehensive care network

Discover all the ways we can care for your family. Visit BaptistHealthConway.com or call us today.

Unexpected

EASY TO VISIT. HARD TO LEAVE.

Conway surprises at every turn. With unique shops, local flavors, and a welcoming community, it’s a place where visitors feel at home and start planning their return before they’ve even left. Come see what makes Conway unforgettable. YOUR HOME FOR THE

Oak Street 900

The Team Behind the Scenes

Conway has a coalition of community and economic development organizations working together daily on its behalf. While each organization has a slightly different focus, they all work in partnership to thoughtfully improve the lives of Conway-area residents.

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Conway Development Corporation, Conway Downtown Partnership, and Conway Convention & Visitors Bureau work together on one mission: making Conway, Arkansas, the best it can be.

Conway

Area Chamber of Commerce

Founded: 1891

A nonprofit organization made up of approximately 1,400 area businesses working to grow the local economy. The chamber is governed by a XX-member board of directors. The chamber plans and organizes networking events, offers advertising and sponsorship opportunities, and advocates for job-creating infrastructure and policies. It also provides business consulting, leads generation, and referrals.

The chamber organizes Toad Suck Daze and also hosts large events like Business Expo and Taste of Conway, and SPARK!, a professional development event.

Conway Development Corporation

Founded: 1959

A nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow the area economy, mainly through job creation. The CDC is governed by a 14-member board of directors.

The CDC recruits new business to Conway, helps expand existing businesses, pursues state economic development incentives on behalf of local companies, and develops and markets job-creating real estate. The CDC owns and developed the Meadows Technology Park in south Conway.

Visit Conway

(Advertising and Promotion Commission)

Founded: 2000

Created by the city council to facilitate tourism and the promotion of the city of Conway, the Advertising and Promotion Commission collects taxes on hotel/motel accommodations and levies taxes on all prepared food and beverages. The board consists of seven members, each of whom serves a four-year term. The A&P Commission does business under the name Conway Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The CVB advertises and promotes events taking place in the city to regional audiences, recruits sporting events, conferences, and other events from around the country to Conway. It also administers annual grants to local tourism-related events.

The CVB has recruited and sponsored many of the youth sporting events held in Conway, including the high school allstar games. Conway is also home to the spring high school state championship games through 2026.

Conway Downtown Partnership

Founded: 2001

A nonprofit organization focused on the redevelopment and continued growth of downtown Conway. They are governed by a XX-member board of directors.

The downtown partnership markets downtown Conway as a destination for investment and jobs, promotes downtown events, and advocates for and executes public space improvements. The downtown partnership partnered with city government to develop downtown Conway’s streetscape and the renovation and redevelopment of multiple historic buildings.

Conway Area Leadership Institute

Founded: 1988

A nonprofit organization that prepares emerging leaders to serve the Conway-area community. Formerly the Faulkner County Leadership Institute, CALI became part of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce in 2016 and is governed by the chamber’s board of directors.

CALI plans and executes an eight-month curriculum inspired by Conway2035. Hundreds of professionals have graduated from the institute since its inception. Applications for the new class are available in January of each year.

Stay Up to Date on All Things 900 Oak Street

Visit ConwayChamber.org and ConwayArkansas.org to stay up-to-date on all news from the organizations at 900 Oak Street, and make sure to check out the chamber’s event calendar to see all the fun coming up this year.

Conway Tops

70,000 Residents

Conway has surpassed 70,000 residents and doubled the nation’s median rate of growth among cities above 50,000, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2026.

The 817 cities with a population greater than 50,000 grew at a median rate of 0.79% from 2023 to 2024. Conway’s rate of growth was 1.70%, during which it added 1,100 new residents.

“Reaching a population of 70,000 marks a significant milestone for Conway,” said Mayor Bart Castleberry. “Conway’s sustained growth is a reflection of our people, our shared vision, and the quality of life we offer.”

Since 2020, Conway has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, ranking No. 74 in the country. Its rate of growth in that time, 9.87%, represents more than 6,000 new residents and a growth rate 600% faster than cities above the 50,000 threshold. Conway was the fastest-growing city in Arkansas in 2022 and 2023.

“Recent job announcements from Clayton Conway, Central Cold Storage, and Westrock Coffee are contributing to a rate of job growth that is double the national average,” Castleberry said. “We added more than 1,000 jobs in 2024, roughly matching our rate of population growth.”

In 2024, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce commissioned a housing study that identified the need for more than 900 homes in the next five years. The study also identified an anticipated shortage of 500 residential lots over that same time period.

“This study confirms what we have seen over the past several years — Conway is growing, and that growth brings opportunity and responsibility,” Castleberry said. “Meeting the demand for housing isn’t just about new homes, it’s about making sure Conway remains a place families, businesses, and talent can thrive in the years ahead.”

Conway: Who We Are

POPULATION

CONWAY’S POPULATION GROWTH

Conway: 69,580 Faulkner County: 129,951 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway Metro Area: 764,582

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Known as the “City of Colleges,” Conway is home to three higher education institutions, all of which have been in the city since the late 1800s and produce graduates who stay in the area and enter the workforce. More than 40% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

25 or older possess a bachelor’s degree or higher (National Average: 33%)

41.3% 94.3%

high school graduation rate (National Average: 88.9%)

...and What Sets Us Apart

A GROWING & DIVERSE ECONOMY

The central Arkansas economy is one of the most diverse in the United States. In Conway, four “tentpoles” – health care, technology, manufacturing and education – stabilize and stimulate economic growth. The University of Central Arkansas, Conway Regional Health System, Acxiom,Nabholz Corporation, and Baptist Health are a few of the major employers.

AFFORDABILITY

Conway consistently ranks among the nation’s most inexpensive places to live offering a low cost of living but a high quality of life.

30% cheaper

$986

median cost of rent

median mortgage

8,473 Education & Health Services

7,511 Trade, Transportation & Utilities

5,355 Leisure & Hospitality 4,154 Professional & Business Services 2,908 Manufacturing

Construction

Government

Other Services

Financial Activities 1,478 Information

78 Natural Resources & Mining

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Green Bay Packaging Announces $1 Billion Expansion in Morrilton

Green Bay Packaging is investing more than $1 billion to expand its existing mill in Morrilton, marking the largest capital investment in central Arkansas history.

ARKANSAS MILL DIVISIO N

CENTRALLY LOCATED

Conway is positioned in Metro Little Rock, in the heart of Arkansas, with easy connectivity to the state and region.

median household income

$1,438 $251,379 $58,461 $83,756 electricity and water rates compared to other cities in Arkansas

average household income value of housing units

Shopping

in Conway

The city features four distinct shopping areas, each with unique offerings.

The city’s Eastside straddles Interstate 40 and is home to large shopping centers featuring national chains drawing regional shoppers from multiple counties. The Eastside transitions into Downtown Conway along Oak Street offering unique, locally owned retail establishments and a collection of restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops. As its name would suggest, Midtown Conway sits in the center of the city and features an everexpanding mix of chain stores and restaurants along with local establishments. Nestled along Hogan Lane, West Conway offers a number of neighborhood-oriented retail developments.

Memphis, TN

Drive Time : 2 hours 26 min.

Don’t Miss: Beale Street

Out on the Open Road

With its central location in T he Natural State, Conway is just a short drive from some of the region’s most popular tourist towns, giving you the perfect excuse for a day trip or weekend getaway.

Roland, OK

Drive Time : 2 hours

Don’t Miss: Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland

Fayetteville/NW Arkansas

Drive Time : 2 hours 28 min.

Don’t Miss: Dickson Street Crystal Bridges Museum

TN

Drive Time : 5 hours 38 min.

Don’t Miss: Live Music

Dallas, TX

Drive Time: 5 hours 3 min.

Don’t Miss: Professional Sports Theme Parks

New Orleans, LA

Drive Time : 7 hours 26 min.

Don’t Miss: French Quarter

Miss: Bricktown

City of Conway Parks

Airport Park 425 6th Street

Bainbridge Park 80 Kensington Drive

Beaverfork Lake Park 20 Kinley Drive

Cadron Settlement Park 6200 Highway 319

Centennial Soccer Park 5200 John W. Allison Road

City of Colleges Park 1025 East Siebenmoregen Road

Conway Expo Center & Fairgrounds 2505 East Oak Street

Conway Station Park 1501 Robins Street

Curtis Walker Park 1700 Museum Road

Don Owen Sports Complex (Indoor) 10 Lower Ridge Road

Fifth Avenue Park 600 5th Avenue

Gatlin Park 2325 Tyler Street

Laurel Park Robinson Avenue & Prince Street

Martin Luther King Jr. Square 1101 Markham Street

McGee Center (Indoor) 3800 College Avenue

Pine Street Park 690 Pine Street

Pompe Park 2550 Prince Street

Simon Park 805 Front Street

Tucker Creek Walking/ Bike Trail 275 Salem Road

Conway Earns Spot Best Places to Live List on U.S. News & World Report

Conway has been named among the top places to live in the country by U.S. News & World Report. It is the first time the City of Colleges, ranked No. 89, has been named among the top 100 in the organization’s annual list of the top 250 cities in America.

U.S. News & World Report annually assesses 150 of the most populous U.S. metro areas, utilizing a methodology that weighs four key indices: job market, value, quality of life, and desirability. These weights are influenced by a public survey designed to capture what qualities individuals prioritize when selecting a place to reside.

Conway garnered high marks across the indices, including affordability, livability, and job market.

“Conway offers a lower cost of living compared to similarly sized cities,” the report said, calculating a median home in Conway was just more than $245,000 while the national average was $370,489.

Conway has consistently ranked among the most affordable cities and communities in the country. Kiplinger named Conway the eighth most affordable city in the U.S. in 2024.

Conway’s composite cost-of-lving score was about 17% below the national average. Housing costs were nearly 27% below the national average while other essential costs, including groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous goods, were also lower than typical U.S. rates.

Conway Neighbors

Conway is surrounded by growing communities in Faulkner, Conway, and Pulaski counties. Greenbrier, Maumelle, Mayflower, Morrilton, and Vilonia are just a short drive from Conway and offer great schools and affordable living.

MORRILTON

Population: 7,079

County: Conway

Median Home Price: $115,500

GREENBRIER

Population: 5,958

County: Faulkner

Median Home Price: $143,400

VILONIA

Population: 4,298

County: Faulkner

Median Home Price:

MAUMELLE

Population: 19,358

County: Pulaski

Median Home Price: $225,900

MAYFLOWER

Population: 1,984

County: Faulkner

Median Home Price:

BEEBE

Population: 8,718

County: White

Median Home Price: $127,400

CABOT

Population: 26,844

County: Lonoke

Median Home Price: $166,100

SEARCY

Population: 23,009

County: White

Median Home Price: $151,300

HEBER SPRINGS

Population: 7,201

County: Cleburne

Median Home Price: $119,700

RUSSELLVILLE

Population: 29,133

County: Pope

Median Home Price: $135,500

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2022 Update

New to Conway?

These tips can help your home search

East to West = Old to New

If you start on Locust Street at the edge of downtown and head west, as a rule, the homes get newer.

Old Conway

Old Conway is bound by Locust Street on the east and Donaghey Avenue on the west. It includes a variety of architectural styles representing the 1910s to the mid-century. It’s adjacent to downtown and close to all three colleges. It’s also conveniently close to all of the shopping and dining options along Interstate 40.

Midtown

Midtown is approximately bound by Donaghey Avenue on the east and Country Club on the west. The Bainbridge, Oak Forest, Tucker Creek, Parkwood, and Smoking Oaks subdivisions all offer traditional home styles from the 1970s and 80s. Other subdivisions like Windcrest, Pippinpost, Scherman Heights, and Adamsbrooke are mingled in and were developed in the 1990s. The commercial development along Prince Street and Salem Road offers instant access to everyday conveniences.

West Conway

West Conway has dozens of subdivisions with homes ranging in price from the mid-200s to over $1 million. Subdivisions like Centennial Valley, Sunderlin Park, Westin Park, St. John’s, Chapel

Creek, Winterbrooke, and many more are all in west Conway. The area is the most purely residential part of town, but there are some commercial options along Hogan Road.

Look south for a convenient commute

Conway’s fifth interstate exit opened just south of the city in 2017, giving residents who travel back and forth into Little Rock an easier commute. The Cresthaven, Richland Hills, Southwind, Catherine’s Place, and other subdivisions south of Dave Ward Drive can take advantage of a threemile “head start” on their morning drive.

Don’t shop elementary schools

If you’ve got school-aged children, where they go to school is a big deal, but in Conway, it’s almost impossible to pick an elementary school you won’t be happy with. Over the past decade, Conway’s elementary schools have spent time at the top of our academic rankings. Benchmark exams, state-assigned letter grades, Blue Ribbon achievement awards — the recognition has been spread around.

These tips hopefully will help you start to orient yourself to the Conway house hunt. There are so many other great places to live beyond what’s mentioned here. Go to ConwayChamber.org and find a real estate agent to help you make a home in Conway.

at PEPPER’S POND

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission welcomes water dogs to Pepper’s Pond, the only public waterfowl retriever field trial and training area in the state. The free area is named after a champion Labrador retriever owned by Larry McMurry of Pin Oak Hunting Retriever Club, who worked in partnership with the AGFC to create a one-of-a-kind, 60-acre, dog-training location to keep your hunting buddy’s skills sharp year-round.

It has hosted the Super Retriever Series multiple times, as well as statelevel competitions, since its creation in 2001. Its location, just off Interstate 40 on the southern end of Lake Conway, makes it an easy drive from many locations in central Arkansas. The varied terrain challenges dogs in training before they hit the woods and water of The Natural State during duck season.

learn more about Pepper’s Pond and other facilities on Camp Robinson Special Use Area.

www.agfc.com/wma/ camp-robinson-sua

Q&A

How Bell & Sward Turned a Simple Idea Into a Downtown Staple

Bell & Sward was born out of a simple frustration: you couldn’t find a high-quality white dress shirt in Conway. Looking back at 2014, how did you determine this wasn’t just a personal inconvenience, but a scalable business opportunity for a high-end clothier in this market?

A: After coming up with the initial idea of the store, we began to reach out to leaders in the community to gauge interest and whether it was a sustainable business. We also looked at the history of the Conway market and its higher-end boutiques. Conway has a long history of men’s clothing stores, and we felt it could work if we brought in the right selection.

Bell & Sward carries brands such as Peter Millar, Barbour and Martin Dingman. How do you decide which brands to carry, and what role does that play in shaping your identity?

A: I am always on the lookout for new brands. When we first opened, we went after what we knew was popular, a quality product, and what we thought our customers would like. Over time, we have evolved as we learned more about our customers’ wants and needs. Brand selection is important in shaping the store’s identity, but it is not everything. If you do not back it up with good customer service, it’s not going to mean very much.

In an era of online shopping, how does the in-store experience set you apart?

A: Online retailers cannot offer the experience brick-and-mortar stores offer. Customer service is the number one thing that sets us apart. The ability to build relationships and offer specialty services gives customers a reason to come into the store. My team is very knowledgeable about our inventory, so we can help customers find the fit and styles they prefer.

How has being part of downtown Conway influenced your business?

A: Conway is blessed with an incredible downtown shopping scene. Without the location, foot traffic and fellow retailers downtown, I do not think we would have experienced the success we have. Being surrounded by wonderful businesses brings more faces and shoppers downtown. I cannot imagine Bell & Sward existing without downtown.

You’ve secured partnerships with brands that rarely open accounts outside larger markets. How do you build those relationships?

A: This business is predicated on relationships, whether with vendors or customers. I try to keep an open line of communication. When we first started out, we had to prove ourselves. Now that we are approaching 12 years in business, our track record speaks for itself.

How do you engage new customers while retaining loyal patrons?

A: We are always welcoming to old and new customers. Social media plays a massive role in engaging customers today. I was once told, “If you work hard and treat people the right way, you will succeed,” and those words have stayed with me.

While many retailers are downsizing, Bell & Sward continues to expand. Why do you still believe in physical retail?

A: I am a firm believer in brick-and-mortar space. Humans desire interaction, and the internet does not provide that. Our customers’ response to each expansion has given me the confidence to continue investing. At the end of the day, I attribute our success to hard work, sound business decisions, superior customer service and ultimately, the grace of God.

Front Row Rachel Gray, Jill Turner, Courtney McDearmon, Velda Lueders, Thomas Lipsmeyer (Managing Broker), Lori Quinn, Amber Cullipher, Mary Kordsmeier, Stephanie Lovelady Back Row Allison Price (Residential Coordinator), Kay Winberry, Courtney Black, Molly Steely, Tami McConnell, Charity Luyet, Kendra Vanillo, Jack Greenwood

Not Pictured Ashley Gardner, Eden Roberts, Jihoon “Max” Jhang, Johnny Passmore, Kinsey Karpowicz, Lindsey Spangler, Madie Gatlin, Sarah Manning

the NEIGHBORS

PRESENTED BY:

Conway isn’t just a place on a map — it’s a community shaped by the people who call it home.

In Meet the Neighbors, we introduce you to Conway residents whose stories reflect the character and spirit of this growing city. From long-time locals to recent arrivals, these neighbors share what drew them to Conway, how they spend their time and what makes the community feel like home.

Each profile offers a personal glimpse into everyday life in Conway, highlighting favorite local spots, meaningful traditions and connections built through neighborhoods, schools and community events. Together, their stories capture the warmth, diversity and sense of belonging that define Conway. Meet the Neighbors celebrates the people behind the place and the shared experiences that continue to shape a welcoming city where residents can put down roots and feel connected.

the Berrys

Favorite restaurant?

Mike’s Place, of course. I feel like Norm from Cheers every time I go in there!

Favorite lunch spot?

It is hard to beat Stoby’s breakfast or lunch. That place is a local legend.

What is your favorite hobby/activity to do in or around Conway?

It’s hard to beat a round of golf followed by the best sunset in Conway at Conway Country Club.

What do you hope for Conway in the future?

I would love to see continued growth — more local places unique to Conway and more entertainment opportunities. I want to see Conway be the BEST!

Favorite thing about Conway?

It has to be the people. I came from a very small town, but the great people here made it feel like home quickly. And now, Conway truly is home!

How would you describe Conway to someone who just moved here?

I say it all the time — Conway is the biggest little city in the world. As big as it is, I rarely go anywhere without running into someone I know.

What is one thing for a new Conwegian to know?

You’d better learn pretty quickly how to navigate a roundabout! As nice as the people of Conway are, don’t mess up in a roundabout, or you might get a friendly honk from a neighbor!

Community involvement?

I am on the board of the Chamber of Commerce. I have served for years on the Toad Suck Daze committee. I attend Summit Church, and I’m involved with FCA.

Where do your kids go to school, and why is your family proud to be a Wampus Cat, Bulldog, Eagle, or homeschool family?

My boys both went to Conway. They played football and are lifelong bluebloods — they will always be Wampus Cats. We’re proud because it feels like family. The relationships they built with not only players but also coaches will last forever.

Where do you work and what industry are you in? How does your job give back to the community?

I am the GM of Chris Crain Hyundai. We are involved with so many different groups and organizations, including local schools and universities. I am blessed to work at a place that truly cares about Conway and encourages everyone to get involved.

the

Binghams

Favorite restaurant?

Pasta Grill and Mike’s Place

Favorite lunch spot?

Cross Creek Sandwich Shop, Taziki’s and U.S. Pizza

Favorite store?

All the downtown shops, TJ Maxx, Dick’s Sporting Goods

What’s your best memory of Conway?

Our family’s favorite memory and tradition in Conway is attending the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony as well as attending UCA’s football games. We tailgate with wonderful friends, meet new people in the community, and build lasting relationships while we celebrate the UCA’s Bears.

What trait do you admire most about Conway?

I admire the fact that we have a community that comes together to make Conway a safe, beautiful, and family friendly city where others want to come and share the hospitality that Conway has to offer.

What do you hope for Conway in the future?

I hope Conway continues to grow as a vibrant, welcoming community with vibrant opportunities for education, economic development, and cultural enrichment. A future where Conway balances progress with preserving its unique character and natural beauty.

Favorite thing about Conway?

One of the best things about Conway is its strong sense of community—friendly people, great schools, and vibrant local culture that make it feel welcoming and close-knit. It also has a small-town feel.

What is on your Conway Bucket List?

Attending a performance at Red Curtain Theatre.

What new development/addition in Conway have you enjoyed most?

We love the shopping scene that Conway has to offer. A few of Carrie’s favorite stores are The Kitchen Store, Kindred Mercantile Boutique, Harlow + Poppy Boutique and page 52 mercantile. We used to have to travel to Little Rock, but now Conway has all we need.

What do you enjoy most about your area of Conway?

It offers a great mix of peaceful neighborhoods, convenient access to parks and trails, and easy connections to shopping and dining. Like I mentioned previously, it has a small-town feel that we enjoy.

How would you describe Conway to someone who just moved here?

I would describe Conway as a warm, welcoming community that blends small-town charm with growing opportunities. It’s a place with friendly neighbors, great schools, plenty of local events as well as beautiful parks and trails for outdoor fun. Plus, don’t get frustrated with the traffic!

Where do you work and what industry do you work in?

How does your job give back to the community?

Carrie is a special education teacher with Conway Public Schools, her work contributes to the community by empowering students with disabilities to achieve their fullest potential. Joe is a Journeyman lineman for Conway Corporation. He is involved with the community daily through his role. His job also allows me to visit local schools and job fairs to explain electricity and how it works.

the Chapmans

Favorite restaurant in Central Arkansas?

Rogue Roundabout

Favorite hobby or activity to do in or around Central Arkansas?

Hiking the trails at Petit Jean.

Best memory of living in Central Arkansas?

Building our home in Greenbrier. Our builder was amazing through every step, and we ended up with the house of our dreams in a quiet, homey place.

Trait you admire most about the Central Arkansas community?

How people come together to lift each other up.

Favorite thing about living in Central Arkansas?

The changing leaves in the fall.

Central Arkansas bucket list?

A stay at The Louis Hotel in Wilson, Arkansas — a true hidden gem.

New development or addition you’ve enjoyed most?

The Conway Community Center. My kids love all the water activities there.

What do you enjoy most about your part of Central Arkansas?

The people, the local jewelry, and the food.

How did you end up living in Central Arkansas?

My mom moved here to help start a bakery, and while I was visiting, I decided to stay and attend UCA. I loved it so much I never left.

How would you describe Central Arkansas to someone new?

We have both cities and small towns, but the best part is how close everything is to incredible nature. You get that growing-town energy while still enjoying a small-town feel.

How are you involved in the Central Arkansas community?

I get to serve my community every day at work. We have longtime customers who feel like family, and through Braswell & Son, I’m part of multiple community events and charities that truly showcase the big heart this region has.

Must-do activity when friends or family visit?

A visit to our Braswell & Son stores — where you’ll find vintage and estate jewelry at amazing prices. We’re pawnbrokers unlike any others.

the Cruzes

Favorite restaurant?

Don Pepe’s, Rogue Roundabout, Patron Mexican Grill

Favorite lunch spot?

Cross Creek, Taziki’s

Favorite store?

E Leigh’s, Wilkinson’s, Bell & Sward, Simply Sweet Kids

What is your favorite hobby/ activity to do in or around Conway?

We enjoy being home with our girls, playing outside, and swimming in the pool. We also love going for walks and bike rides around the neighborhood.

Favorite event in Conway?

The Christmas Tree Lighting, Toad Suck Daze, and UCA football games

What is on your Conway bucket list?

The City of Colleges Half Marathon

What new development/addition in Conway have you enjoyed most?

We enjoyed taking our girls to the new Conway Community Center this summer. We also enjoy the splash pad and parks.

How did you end up in Conway?

I grew up in Conway. Dylan completed his Family Medicine residency at Conway Regional. We chose to move back after having our first daughter so we could be closer to family.

When family or friends come to visit, what is a must-do?

We enjoy golfing, taking the kids swimming at the country club pool, and eating at local restaurants.

Where do you work and what industry do you work in? How does your job give back to the community?

We both work for Conway Regional — Dylan is at the Family Medicine Clinic on Prince Street, and I work in the NICU/ Nursery at the hospital. We are grateful to help care for the people in our community.

the Houstons

Favorite restaurant?

Pasta Grill for date night, and Xen Thai and Ramen for a take-home meal.

Favorite lunch spot?

It’s a tie between Holly’s and Cross Creek!

Favorite store? Wilkinson’s

What is your favorite hobby/activity to do in or around Conway?

The Tucker Creek walking trail and Laurel Park are some of our favorites!

What trait do you admire most about Conway?

We love the small-town feel, yet the convenience of having almost anything you need within a short drive.

What do you hope for Conway in the future?

Sustainable and steady growth, while continuing to keep public safety a priority. And we’d love for a Trader Joe’s to come to town as well!

Favorite event in Conway?

Toad Suck Daze is always a family favorite, and we also enjoy the Christmas tree lighting.

Favorite thing about Conway?

The numerous options for dining, shopping, and outdoor activities.

What new development/addition in Conway have you enjoyed most?

Sam’s Club, as well as the entire Lewis Ranch development.

How did you end up in Conway?

Both of our families moved here when we were in elementary school. Talon went to college at UCA, and Chelsea moved to California for a few years. We both love Conway, have deep roots here, and don’t plan to leave!

What is one thing for a new Conwegian to know?

Don’t be alarmed when the emergency sirens are tested each Wednesday at noon!

Where do your kids go to school, and why is your family proud to be a Wampus Cat, Bulldog, Eagle, or homeschool family?

Our son is currently in pre-K at a local church and will start kindergarten at Woodrow Cummins next year. Both Chelsea and Talon are proud Wampus Cat alumni.

Where do you work and what industry do you work in?

How does your job give back to the community?

Chelsea is a hair stylist at Urban Society, and Talon is the commercial leasing agent and property manager for Trinity Development Company.

the Johnstons

Favorite restaurant?

Xen, Los Tres Potrillos, or the place we all agree on!

Favorite lunch spot?

Raising Cane’s, Jersey Mike’s, Holly’s, Cross Creek, Mike’s Place, Stoby’s, Pasta Grill, Patron, Taziki’s

Favorite store?

Dick’s and Bell & Sward

What’s your best memory of Conway?

The opening of the Community Center and water park.

What trait do you admire most about Conway?

The connections with people, the street and park improvements and the community

What do you hope for Conway in the future?

For more people to get to know Jesus. More football fields and flag football in junior high and high school

Favorite event in Conway?

Toad Suck Daze

Favorite thing about Conway?

It’s our home, and we would not want to live anywhere else.

What do you enjoy most about your area of Conway?

The people.

How did you end up in Conway?

University of Central Arkansas

Community involvement?

Members of City Church

Where do your kids go to school?

Conway High School and Ruth Doyle Middle School

Where do you work and what industry do you work in?

How does your job give back to the community?

I am vice president at Colliers for the Conway market. We are members of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Conway Development Corporation, and Conway Downtown Partnership. Arkansas has long been committed to strengthening the communities we serve across the state. With more than 130 dedicated employees, many of our team members give back by serving on boards and committees that support a wide range of local causes and nonprofit organizations.

the Ordonez + Zimmermans

Favorite restaurant?

I love Kyojin Pho. I love that I can choose pho, sushi, or Thai food depending on my mood.

Favorite lunch spot?

Stoby’s is always a comfort lunch spot for my family and me.

What do you hope for Conway in the future?

I hope more families learn about our amazing town and help us continue to grow as a community — the more the merrier!

Favorite event in Conway?

I’m torn between Toad Suck Daze and the Christmas tree lighting.

Favorite thing about Conway?

My favorite thing about Conway is its accessibility — from trails to bike lanes to bridges over Dave Ward. I feel safe walking around with my family, even on a busy weekend out.

What new development/addition in Conway have you enjoyed most?

I have genuinely enjoyed the number of roundabouts added since I graduated from college. They make Conway so much more accessible and beautiful. We need more!

What do you enjoy most about your area of Conway?

We live in Chapel Creek in West Conway, and so far, my favorite thing has been the creative and exciting decorations my neighbors put up each season. My family and I loved walking around and admiring the Halloween decorations — and now the Christmas lights!

How did you end up in Conway?

My husband is from Conway, and we met at UCA, so we knew we wanted to settle down here once we were established in our careers.

When family or friends come to visit, what is a must-do?

When I have new people visit Conway, I always try to take them on a small coffee crawl since Conway has so many great coffee shops.

Where do you work and what industry do you work in? How does your job give back to the community?

I am an OBGYN at Baptist Health in Conway. I’ve enjoyed participating in community events such as UCA Conway Daze, the Rise fundraiser, and the Christmas tree lighting!

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the Pruitts

Favorite restaurant?

Mike’s Place and Rogue Roundabout

Favorite lunch spot?

Don Pepe’s, Bulgogi, and Stoby’s

What is your favorite hobby/activity to do around Conway?

We are a very active family, so we are constantly out and about. Cycling the local trails and greenways is at the top of our list. All the kids are competitive swimmers as well, so we spend a lot of time in the gym. We love that we have so many hiking and biking trails within about 30 minutes of the city. We also enjoy public land — as well as our own private land — for hunting.

Favorite event in Conway?

Growing up in Conway, I always loved going to Toad Suck Daze. We still enjoy going — more so for the food now than the rides — but we always love seeing the community out and about! My new favorite event would be the Mid-Season NICA Mountain Bike Race held at the Tech Park. Seeing more than 800 school-age kids come together to race bikes over a weekend is really cool.

Favorite thing about Conway?

We really love the community feel within the city. We enjoy seeing multiple organizations work closely with city leadership on large projects that boost Conway’s economic impact — from investment in sporting and recreation facilities to trails and greenways. There are just so many options for residents.

What is on your Conway bucket list?

We have yet to check out the Conway Art Walk that happens on the first Friday of every month. It looks like a great time!

What do you enjoy most about your area of Conway?

We live within two miles of Conway High School and Conway Junior High, where our three youngest kids attend — and within a mile of the grocery store, gym, and our favorite lunch spot!

How would you describe Conway to someone who just moved here?

Conway is a young town with a low median age due to the three local colleges. We have great public and private schools, plus a diverse population and food scene.

Community involvement?

Wes has served on several boards and worked with many volunteer organizations. He served on Conway City Council for nine years, has been a volunteer NICA MTB coach for 10 years, and has been involved in building every soft-surface trail in the city. Casey is a huge animal advocate and has put in hundreds of volunteer hours with ArkanPaws Animal Rescue, a local 501(c)(3) that rescues and rehabilitates dogs and cats. Many are transported to New England for adoption. As a foster family, they currently care for one special-needs foster dog and have previously fostered as many as 14 cats and kittens at once — all of whom have since been adopted.

When friends or family come to visit, what is a must-do?

Our walkable downtown is a must-see — especially during the holidays — with its locally owned businesses, Ferris wheel, live music, and stunning 54-foot Christmas tree. While you’re exploring, look for the beautiful murals by local artists — perfect for photo opportunities along the way.

Where do you work and what industry do you work in?

Wes works for Pure Storage in the information technology industry. Casey works for Jennifer Jackson, a local attorney. Van is a host at Mike’s Place.

the Reyeses

Favorite restaurants?

Faby’s Restaurant and Geo’s Italian Kitchen (worth the drive to Morrilton)

Favorite lunch spot?

Faby’s Restaurant. My parents own it and have been in downtown Conway since 2009. We love their fajitas and my mom’s homemade flour tortillas. We also love Garcia’s Food Truck.

Favorite store?

Wilkinson’s and The Kitchen Store

What trait do you admire most about Conway?

The small-town feel and the diversity.

Favorite event in Conway?

Our favorite events are Toad Suck Daze and the Christmas tree lighting. Our son loves the toad races, we love the food and the small-town charm of the festival — and of course, this is where we first met.

What new development/addition in Conway have you enjoyed most?

The walking bridge over Dave Ward Drive.

What do you enjoy most about your area of Conway?

We love that we’re close to Stone Dam Creek Trail — our son loves to go ride his bike there.

How would you describe Conway to someone who just moved here?

Conway is very welcoming and a great place to raise a family.

What is one thing for a new Conwegian to know?

Roundabouts are great — just go!

Where do your kids go to school, and why is your family proud to be a Wampus Cat, Bulldog, Eagle, or homeschool family?

Our son is a St. Joseph Preschool Bulldog. We have loved the caring teachers and small classrooms.

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the Saddlers

Favorite restaurant in Central Arkansas?

Pasta Grill

Favorite lunch spot in Central Arkansas?

TGI Friday’s

What’s your best memory of living in Central Arkansas?

The Faulkner County Parade and Fair

What trait do you admire most about the Central Arkansas community?

Even though it is growing, it is still small enough that you get to know quite a lot of people in Conway and the surrounding towns.

Favorite event or festival in Central Arkansas?

Toad Suck Daze

Favorite thing about living in Central Arkansas?

There are so many things to do — Beaverfork Lake, Conway city parks, Lake Conway, walking trails, great shows at UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall, the movie theater — there’s always something happening!

What’s on your Central Arkansas bucket list?

When I retire, I would love to visit and volunteer in nursing homes. When my mom was temporarily there, I noticed so many residents didn’t have visitors.

How did you end up living in Central Arkansas?

Rex played baseball at UCA. Debby grew up in Vilonia. We worked at our insurance company in Conway, later retired, and eventually began working at Ott Insurance.

How would you describe Central Arkansas to someone who just moved here?

There’s lots to do, plenty of great places to eat, and very friendly people!

What’s one thing a newcomer to Central Arkansas should know?

There are lots of roundabouts — and we love them now!

How are you involved in the Central Arkansas community?

Working at Ott Insurance allows us to attend many different events through the Chamber of Commerce, and we enjoy going to sporting events as well.

When family or friends come to visit, what is a must-do activity in Central Arkansas?

The guys like to play golf, and the girls enjoy shopping all around Conway — malls, flea markets, downtown, and more.

Where do you work, and how does your job contribute to the Central Arkansas community?

We both work at Ott Insurance. Ott is a member of the Conway, Greenbrier, and Vilonia chambers, and our office always works to stay involved by participating in events, committees, meetings, and community activities.

the Scherreys

Favorite restaurant?

Our family’s favorite restaurant is US Pizza. You can almost always find us there after church on Sunday! The atmosphere is very family-friendly, the staff is wonderful, and the food is top-notch.

Favorite lunch spot?

This one is tough because there are so many great lunch spots in Conway! Cross Creek has to be at the top of the list — the food is outstanding. The soups, sandwiches, and bakery are incredible. Our favorite thing to do is eat lunch at Cross Creek and then stroll through Jennifer’s Antiques next door.

Favorite store?

The store we all love is Wilkinson’s Mall! It is always a one-stop shop for gifts and shoes for the entire family, with high-quality, great-looking clothes and footwear.

What trait do you admire most about Conway?

The trait we admire most about Conway is the sense of community. It truly is the best place to raise a family — the perfect mix of small-town charm and big-city convenience.

Favorite event in Conway?

Our favorite event in Conway is Toad Suck Daze. The weekend is always busy and exciting! Starting with the Tadpole Trot kids’ race on Friday and continuing with rides and food on Saturday, we try to do it all. We have been attending this festival since we were kids and love bringing our own children now to see how much it has grown and to enjoy the rides, crafts, and local vendors.

What do you enjoy most about your area of Conway?

We live in a fantastic neighborhood where our children have many friends nearby. Our school, grocery store, and bike trails are close, making it a very convenient place to live.

Community involvement?

John serves on the Conway Corporation Board of Directors and is President of the St. Joseph School Board. Donna serves on the Tadpole Trot committee, a kids’ race that encourages children to get out and exercise.

Where do your kids go to school?

Our kids attend St. Joseph schools. We are proud to be part of the Bulldog family because St. Joseph represents family, faith, and academics — and we truly feel our kids are getting the best of all three.

When family or friends come to visit, what is a must-do?

Conway has a lively community feel all over the city. With a wide variety of shops and restaurants, it’s easy to plan a fun day out or a great night on the town.

Where do you work and what industry do you work in? How does your job give back to the community?

John is the Chief Lending Officer at Centennial Bank. The bank gives back to the community in many ways — partnering with local business owners to help them grow, volunteering with local nonprofits and schools, and serving on boards and committees that support community needs.

the Sellerses

Favorite restaurant?

Pasta Grill is always a go-to for us.

Favorite lunch spot?

Cross Creek and Pasta Grill

Favorite store?

Bell & Sward and T.J. Maxx

What is your favorite hobby/activity to do in or around Conway?

“Piddling” around our local stores

What’s your best memory of Conway?

Erik was born and raised here, so seeing the immense growth has been wonderful. From being raised on a dirt road to now having a golf course where I once explored the woods as a kid — all my greatest memories happened here.

Catherine’s best memory of Conway is the Christmas lights. I love riding around to see the dancing lights and the houses that go all-out for the holidays.

What trait do you admire most about Conway?

The small-town vibe, with the benefits of a larger city.

Favorite event in Conway?

College Day at True Holiness Saints Center and Toad Suck Daze. During College Day, we love seeing the community and its leaders come together to welcome college students to — or back to — Conway, especially since it was how I was introduced to Conway in 2001.

Favorite thing about Conway?

We have just about everything we need — or we’re very close to it.

How did you end up in Conway?

Catherine started college at UCA in 2001 and never left. Conway became my second home.

Community involvement?

We participate in the PTO at our son’s school and in many community events through our church, True Holiness Saints Center.

When family or friends come to visit, what is a must-do?

Toad Suck Daze — and during the holidays, riding around to see the “Christmas light battle.”

the Shouses

Favorite restaurant?

Pasta Grill for date nights; US Pizza for family nights

Favorite hobby/activity to do around Conway?

Our family enjoys the walking and bike trails along the creek systems. The kids love riding their bikes and fishing when the water allows.

Best memory of Conway?

So many good memories — but one that stands out is our wedding reception in downtown Conway, surrounded by friends and family. We met here in college, and all three of our kids were born here.

What trait do you admire most about Conway?

Conway continues to grow and offers so much to everyone who lives here, yet it still manages to keep that small-town sense of community.

Favorite event?

Our kids love Toad Suck Daze, and it’s such a great time of year to enjoy downtown Conway.

New developments/additions in Conway we’ve enjoyed most?

Our boys play a lot of baseball, and the newer fields at Conway Station Park are some of the best around. Conway Parks and Recreation does a great job keeping kids playing on them.

Community involvement?

We are part of Second Baptist Church and love our church family. There are so many ways Second — and other partnering churches — are serving Conway behind the scenes. We support and serve with Life Choices, and I enjoy helping coach our boys’ baseball teams.

Where do you work/what industry do you work in?

I am a financial advisor at Conway Wealth Management. I enjoy helping people in our community have peace of mind that they are taking the right steps to achieve their financial and personal goals.

Favorite store?

Shadrachs Coffee

Conway bucket list?

Take my kids fishing on the new and improved Lake Conway

the Stobaughs

Favorite store?

The Kitchen Store

What trait do you admire most about Conway?

The way the community pulls together. This is truly a thriving community.

Favorite event in Conway?

Toad Suck Daze — the street food is so fun, and we love all the craftsmen.

Favorite thing about Conway?

The friendliness of the community.

What new development/addition in Conway have you enjoyed most?

The 6th Street Bridge. It makes navigating the city so much easier.

What do you enjoy most about your area of Conway?

We live near Lake Beaverfork. It is peaceful, yet still so close to everything in Conway.

How did you end up in Conway?

David moved here after college to manage Danver’s Restaurant, prior to starting Stoby’s. I moved here when David and I got married.

How would you describe Conway to someone who just moved here?

Conway is a great small town with a community that genuinely cares.

What is one thing for a new Conwegian to know?

Learn how to navigate roundabouts immediately!

Community involvement?

David and I are both introverts, but since he refers to me as an “enthusiastic introvert,” the community involvement piece of our relationship often falls to me. I currently serve on the Faulkner County Animal Shelter Board, the Bethlehem House Board, and the Downtown Partnership Board. I am also a past president of the Conway Chamber — my favorite organization in all of Conway.

Where do you work and what industry do you work in? How does your job give back to the community?

Stoby’s Restaurant — food service. Stoby’s has always been forward-thinking about community involvement because, without community support, we wouldn’t exist. Our best-known endeavor is our Sunday morning pancake breakfasts, which allow organizations to raise funds for their own purposes.

Things to Do

Celebrate Something Wild

With extraordinary new exhibits opening and beloved traditions returning, an unforgettable adventure awaits you at the Little Rock Zoo. As the year winds down, GloWild Lantern Festival lights up the Zoo. Explore the dazzling lanterns, immersive displays, and festive surprises.

Hidden Corners of the World: Uncommon Creatures, presented by Toad Suck Daze and the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, is a captivating new reptile house exhibit featuring species found nowhere else in Arkansas. Species include: Dyeing Poison Dart Frogs; Bumblebee Dart Frogs; Emerald Tree Boa; Amazon Tree Boa; Solomon Island Leaf Frogs; Prehensile-tailed Skink; Philippine tree Skink; Amazon Milk Frogs; Fringed Leaf Frogs; Suriname Giant Marine Toad, also known as Cane Toad; Colorado River Toads; Bornean Eared Frogs; Vietnamese Mossy Frogs; Flying Frogs; and the Tentacled Snake.

This year, Project Zoo: Wildy Reimagined unveils changes that will transform the way you experience the Zoo. In the spring, catch the debut of Bugs!, a larger-than-life encounter opening Spring Break and running through September.

Save the date for Wild Wines, the award-winning fundraiser returns April 25 and 26 with curated wines, gourmet bites, and live entertainment, all in-support of the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. Visit LittleRockZoo.com for more information.

The Little Rock Zoo first brought wildlife to Arkansas in 1924, and today, it is home to more than 400 animals representing more than 100 species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates.

Central Arkansas Art Collective’s New Gallery Enhances Conway’s Art Scene

A new art gallery in downtown Conway is sparking energy and engagement by filling a long-standing gap in the local arts scene. The Central Arkansas Collective has transformed part of The Studio Downtown, a co-working space, into a museum-quality gallery that showcases professional Arkansas artists and serves as a cultural hub for the community.

Faye Hedera, president of the Central Arkansas Arts Collective, said the gallery emerged from a need she recognized when she moved to Conway.

“UCA and Hendrix College both have excellent galleries, but there was no dedicated space for working creatives outside the academic environment,” she said.

Housing the gallery inside The Studio Downtown brings built-in foot traffic and flexibility. “We benefit from an existing audience and visibility,” Hedera said. “It’s exciting to walk downtown and see our gallery sign in the windows of such a prominent location.”

The space is about more than displaying art — it’s designed to promote community pride and encourage interaction with the arts.

“Many people have told us ours was the first art gallery they’ve ever visited. That tells me we’re making an impact, educating the public and making art more approachable,” she said.

To foster deeper engagement, the gallery opens new exhibitions in sync with the Conway Art Walk.

“That’s allowed us to witness the real-time effect of our presence during public events,” Hedera said.

A quarterly visiting artist program adds variety and depth, featuring central Arkansas artists who present their work alongside members and participate in talks during Art Walk events.

The creation of the gallery was a collaborative effort. Hedera credits Kate Carnahan, owner of The Studio Downtown, for embracing the vision of a hybrid space that supports both artists and entrepreneurs. Founding member James Volkert, a museum gallery expert, and Joanna Nabholz contributed to the gallery’s seamless design.

Hedera believes this model could be replicated in other cities looking to combine community spaces with cultural investment.

“It’s been inspiring to experience this support,” she said.

The project also benefited from strong partnerships. H&N Architects, The Creative Institute, Blackbird Arts Collective, and the Adcock Family Foundation all played crucial roles, Hedera said, with the latter awarding a $20,000 grant to help fund the gallery.

“The Adcock Family Foundation’s generosity made a tremendous difference,” Hedera said. “It’s difficult to overstate their impact.”

For Hedera, the gallery is the result of a shared vision and hard work.

“The gallery has been open two months, and it was only this week that I got up early one morning and just sat inside the gallery to marvel at the work of our hands,” Hedera said. “While I was waiting for BMB Creations to open, I just sat there in the silence and observed the spring light illuminating two years’ worth of effort, planning, and teamwork. It was truly a result of so many contributing people who recognized the same need: to provide a welcoming place to show incredible art. Before I walked down the street for my treat, I did acknowledge the pathway that led us to success and felt overwhelming gratitude for where I live.”

Things to Do

Toad Suck Daze

The first weekend of every May, downtown Conway welcomes Toad Suck Daze as the streets of Conway become home for rides, entertainment, food, shopping, arts and crafts, and toad races. Over its more than 40-year history, Toad Suck Daze has raised more than $2.4 million for arts, education, and community development.

Things to Do

UCA Public Appearances

The University of Central Arkansas’ Public Appearances presents national and international touring artist year-after-year at Reynolds Performance Hall and the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Now, in its 26th season, UCA Public Appearances continues to celebrate the arts with world class talent. Some of the highlights this season include Gin Blossoms with special guest Spin Doctors, Indigo Girls, TINA The Tina Turner Musical, Kevin Nealon, The Band Perry, John Waite, The Music Man, JAWS in Concert with the Conway Symphony Orchestra, Pete the Cat, and more.

Since opening in 2000, Reynolds has welcomed a host of popular acts and notable entertainers, including John Quinones, The Bacon Brothers, CeCe Winans, Spike Lee, Rita Moreno, Amy Grant, Rick Springfield, and Lou Holtz. Popular Broadway shows including Annie, The Cher Show, CHICAGO, Little Women, Kinky Boots, and The Color Purple have also come to Reynolds.

With the opening of the new Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts in 2023, entertainment opportunities have increased for patrons. The concert hall style event space has brought incredible entertainers such as Ben Folds, Suzy Bogguss, Trout Fishing in America, Lee Rocker, and Vitamin String Quartet.

The performances presented by UCA Public Apperances each year include five unique series offered: Broadway, POPS, Night Out, An Evening with, and the Windgate Collection. Reynolds Performance Hall has also welcomed 70,000 preK-12 students from across the state of Arkansas to experience live performing arts through the Main Stage Education Series. The series educates while entertaining and provides arts accessibility to all students.

UCA Public Appearances provides a broad and diverse mix of entertainment opportunities for the campus and community.

For more information, visit uca.edu/publicappearances.

Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland

If you’ve lived in the River Valley for any length of time, you know Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland as the place to be. For 35 years, Cherokee Casino has been a neighbor in every sense by greeting guests with a smile, celebrating community events, and giving everyone who walks through the doors a place to celebrate and make memories.

What started as a small bingo hall in 1990 has grown exponentially. Today, the casino destination spans more than 300,000 square feet and is home to over 800 electronic games, eight table games, a 120-room hotel, two casual dining options, and a travel plaza with its own gaming floor. But the one thing that hasn’t changed is its commitment to superior service and creating memories with locals

and guests of the region alike.

When guests catch live music at Lee Creek Tavern, grab dinner at the Marketplace or Collective Kitchens, or wind down the work week with favorite games on the floor, it’s easy to see why they describe their experience as comfortable, friendly, and fun. That consistency shows in the community awards that Cherokee Casino keeps earning, from the Southwest Times Record’s Community Choice Awards to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette’s Best of River Valley. No matter when you stop in, you’ll find what the River Valley has had for 35 years — an exceptional, welcoming experience waiting right where it’s always been.

Green Bay Packaging is investing more than $1 billion to expand its existing mill in Morrilton, marking the largest capital investment in central Arkansas history.

The project, dubbed Project PowerPack, will enhance the infrastructure of the Arkansas Kraft facility and significantly increase its production capacity. The expansion includes the acquisition of approximately 300 acres of adjacent land for future development.

“This project reflects our ongoing commitment to quality and sustainability, as well as our dedication to our employees, customers, and the communities in which we live and work,” said

Matt Szymanski, vice president of mill operations at Green Bay Packaging. “We are truly excited for the future.”

The multi-year effort will replace key process components, including the recovery and biomass boilers, and add an electric turbine generator aimed at reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. The company expects the improvements to more than double the mill’s current output.

Green Bay Packaging currently employs more than 620 people in Conway County and will add 35 new positions as part of the expansion. The company has a strong presence in central Arkansas, with additional facilities in Conway, Plumerville, and Morrilton.

The project required extensive coordination at the regional level. In 2024, six counties — Conway, Pope, Faulkner, Johnson, Saline, and White — and the city of Morrilton partnered with the Arkansas Department of Transportation to relocate Arkansas 113, paving the way for the development to proceed.

“This is a historic project for the River Valley and for Arkansas,” said Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart. “And getting it done took a creative and historic level of regional partnership. I want to thank my fellow county judges and mayor for establishing a new standard of regional cooperation. Today’s announcement is proof that brave partnership and leadership pays off.”

Green Bay Packaging will be hiring for multiple positions, including operators, mechanics, electricians, and engineers.

“This project reflects our ongoing commitment to quality and sustainability, as well as our dedication to our employees, customers, and the communities in which we live and work.”

Nabholz Corporation Building New Corporate HQ in Conway

“Despite our growth, Conway has always been home to us. We started here, we live here, and we’ve grown right alongside the city.”

Seventy-five years after first opening its doors on Oak Street, Nabholz is breaking ground on a new corporate headquarters in Conway, reinforcing the company’s longstanding ties to the community where it was founded.

Construction is underway on the new two-story, 47,399-squarefoot office building at 1140 Harkrider St., with completion expected in fall 2026. The facility will include two covered outdoor patios, a community room, full kitchen, two break rooms, and multiple conference rooms and collaborative workspaces.

“This new Conway office is a key part of continuing our growth to better support our operations and clients for the next 75 years,” said CEO Jake Nabholz. “My grandfather Bob started Nabholz as a small construction company, and since then we’ve expanded to serve communities across the country. Despite our growth, Conway has always been home to us. We started here, we live here, and we’ve

grown right alongside the city.”

Nabholz was founded in Conway in 1949 and moved into its current office on Garland Street in 1965. Over the decades, the company has grown into a national multi-service contractor with offices in seven states, offering a full range of construction, industrial, excavation, and environmental services.

The new headquarters is being built by Nabholz itself, with architectural design by H+N Architects. Nabholz is also handling its own steel erection and millwork. Other local partners include Bass Concrete for concrete work, Nabco for mechanical and electrical systems, and Entegrity for energy efficiency.

“A new Conway office is a key part of continuing that growth to better support our operations and clients for the next 75 years,” Nabholz said.

Seventy-Five Years In, Nabholz Focuses on What Comes Next

Nabholz Construction marked a significant milestone in 2025, celebrating 75 years in business — an anniversary that underscored both how far the company has come and how deliberately it has held to its founding principles.

Founded in Conway in 1950, Nabholz grew from a local construction firm into an employee-owned company with offices in 18 cities across eight states. While its geographic reach and service lines have expanded, company leaders say the purpose that guided the firm at its outset remains intact: growing its people, serving its clients, and building communities.

That continuity has translated into long-term client relationships. Today, approximately 85 percent of Nabholz’s work comes from repeat customers, a figure leaders attribute to a focus on integrity and partnership rather than transactional work. Over the past three decades, the company expanded beyond traditional construction to include millwright and rigging, environmental services, energy, and civil construction, broadening its ability to serve clients nationwide.

The anniversary also served as a reminder that Nabholz’s longevity is rooted in people as much as projects. Leaders point to the generations of employees and families who sustained the company through economic cycles and industry change. What began as a single-owner operation evolved into a family-owned business and later an employee-owned company — a transition that reinforced shared responsibility and accountability across the organization.

Several Central Arkansas projects remain defining moments in the company’s history. In the mid-1950s, Nabholz completed the Conway Human Development Center, its first million-dollar project and one of the earliest facilities in the country dedicated to serving developmentally challenged children. The reinforced concrete design posed significant technical challenges and helped establish

the company’s reputation as a capable, self-performing contractor. Another long-standing relationship began in 1979, when Nabholz started work with Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The company has worked continuously on the campus since then, contributing to health care infrastructure that serves families across the region and solidifying Nabholz’s role as a trusted healthcare builder.

Expansion beyond Arkansas began in 1990, initially through acquisition and later through client-driven growth. Existing customers encouraged Nabholz to establish offices closer to their operations, allowing the company to scale while maintaining its internal culture.

Today, Nabholz completes work nationwide through specialized divisions and typically operates in all 48 contiguous states each year.

Industry shifts have shaped that growth. The company adapted as construction delivery moved away from hard-bid models toward qualification-based and negotiated contracts. Technology has also transformed daily operations, with mobile tools allowing teams to document conditions, manage schedules, and control costs in real time.

Looking ahead from its 75th year, Nabholz leaders identify workforce development as the industry’s most pressing challenge. While the company continues exploring how artificial intelligence can improve efficiency, leaders emphasize that technology will supplement — not replace — skilled craft professionals. Recruitment efforts increasingly focus on engaging students and early-career workers to strengthen the future construction workforce.

Following its anniversary year, Nabholz is preparing for another milestone: establishing a new corporate headquarters in Conway. Leaders say the investment reflects both growth and continuity — a commitment to remaining rooted in the community that shaped the company while positioning it for the decades ahead.

RESIDENTIAL LEASES FOR EVERY STAGE OF LIFE

Seven Communities to Choose From MULTI-FAMILY

Encore at Lewis Ranch

The Reserve at Tucker Creek

High Point Park Apartments

June Beene Townhomes & Garden Apartments

10 different shopping areas to choose from Leases to fit your needs; large or small THROUGHOUT FAULKNER COUNTY

1307 Main St., Conway

Westwood Garden - Garden Wall - Salem Garden

RESIDENTIAL LEASES FOR EVERY STAGE OF LIFE

Seven Communities to Choose From MULTI-FAMILY

Encore at Lewis Ranch

The Reserve at Tucker Creek

The Reserve at Tucker Creek

Westwood Garden - Garden Wall - Salem Garden

The Reserve at Tucker Creek

High Point Park Apartments

High Point Park Apartments

High Point Park Apartments

June Beene Townhomes & Garden Apartments

June Beene Townhomes & Garden Apartments

June Beene Townhomes & Garden Apartments

Westwood Garden - Garden Wall - Salem Garden

Westwood Garden - Garden Wall - Salem Garden

Westwood Garden - Garden Wall - Salem Garden

Come experience the difference!

Virco’s 75 Years of Innovation and Partnership in Conway

For more than seven decades, Virco has been woven into the economic and community fabric of Conway. What began as a school furniture manufacturer has grown into a nationally recognized leader in classroom furniture and learning environments.

Today, President and CEO Doug Virtue credits the company’s longevity to staying close to its customers.

“We’ve always believed our vertically integrated business model gives us an edge,” Virtue said. “It enables us to directly engage with customers, listen to their input and respond to their needs with new or existing products and services.”

That approach has guided Virco as it evolved from its iconic 9000 Series classroom chair into modern lines designed for flexible, collaborative and student-centered learning. That includes the company’s “Room to Move” furniture and the new YOZI line, which allows desks and chairs to be nested and moved easily.

Conway plays a central role in that success. The city is home to one of Virco’s major manufacturing centers and its largest logistics hub. The Plant 2 Conway facility features a state-of-the-art quickchange powder paint line that allows faster color transitions, higher production and customized orders.

“Conway’s central location plays a major role in our logistics,” Virtue said. “Roughly 75 percent of all our

shipments originate from Conway’s 400,000-square-foot warehouse.”

Over 75 years, Virco has navigated dramatic changes in manufacturing, including globalization, automation and sustainability expectations. The company has invested heavily in technology, workforce training and environmentally responsible practices while continuing to pursue new product development and expanded service offerings.

“We’ve had to adapt to all of it,” Virtue said. “We’ve invested in technology, training and sustainability, and we’re always exploring new opportunities while supporting our traditional K-12 customers.”

For Virtue, the relationship with Conway remains deeply important.

“Conway and Virco have grown together over the past 70-plus years,” he said. “The partnership between Conway and Virco has proven to be mutually beneficial.”

He also points to Conway Corporation as one of the company’s greatest community partners.

“It’s not a surprise, but Conway Corporation has proven to be a huge benefit,” Virtue said. “Their ability to provide consistent power, top-quality water and services at reasonable rates has enabled us to perform at a predictable level.”

As Virco marks its 75-year milestone, Virtue remains most proud of the company’s commitment to quality and its people.

“Virco’s product quality has always been at the forefront of our priorities,” he said. “And it will continue to be for the next 75 years.”

He also celebrates the workers who make it all possible.

“Virco employees are the best in the industry,” Virtue said. “The 790-plus members of the Virco family have an average tenure of 15 years. They are dedicated to their jobs, to the company and to our customers and community.”

With Conway as both a home base and a partner, Virco looks to the future with confidence — still committed to the students, educators and communities it serves.

Paladino-Nash Inc.: Building a Legacy from the Ground Up

In 1979, standing in the woods outside Cabot, Arkansas, Frank Paladino and Greg Nash faced their first project as business owners. The contract called for laying several miles of underground waterline, the kind of job they knew how to do from years of working in utilities. But this time the equipment, the risk, and the responsibility were theirs.

They had scraped together enough to buy a rubber-tire Ford backhoe and borrowed a bulldozer. Their wives pitched in when extra hands were needed, hauling pipe through thick stretches of forest where machinery could not pass. It was slow, dirty work, but for Paladino and Nash it was more than a paycheck. It was a test of whether they could turn skill and determination into something lasting.

“We didn’t have anybody else,” Nash recalled. “It was just me and Frank, and sometimes our wives. We had to get that line through no matter what.”

TAKING A CHANCE

The decision to start a business was not born out of ambition alone. The two men started their own business because the company they worked for was planning to close within a year due to the owner’s retirement. With families to support, they had little choice but to act quickly. Paladino asked Nash to be his partner, and within a month they were bidding on their first contract with the help of Bernard Nabholz, their former employer.

Securing that first job meant more than work. It required faith that they could handle the responsibility. “It was spooky,” Paladino admitted. “We didn’t have money in the bank, and every time we bought equipment it was a risk.”

Instead of borrowing heavily, they worked job to job, paying bills as revenue came in and reinvesting in new equipment when absolutely necessary. Their philosophy was simple: survive today, and tomorrow will take care of itself.

FROM A GARAGE TO A COMPANY

In the early years, Paladino-Nash Inc. operated out of Paladino’s garage in Conway. The space was cramped, and the yard sometimes looked more like a construction site than a home. Fuel tanks and heavy machinery crowded the driveway.

By the early 1990s, the partners had purchased land and built their own facility. As the jobs grew, so did the need for more hands. Within five years, they began hiring workers beyond their immediate circle. Some of those employees have stayed more than three decades, a testament to the loyalty and culture the founders established.

Today, Paladino-Nash Inc. employs more than 30 people and runs five to 10 projects at a time. The company focuses on underground utility work—water and sewer lines, electrical, storm drain, gas, directional boring, treatment plants, and related infrastructure. Their projects dot Conway and the surrounding counties, from subdivisions to college campuses to municipal systems.

GROWING THROUGH CHALLENGES

Over 46 years, the company has weathered multiple economic storms, from inflation in the 1980s to the Great Recession of 2008. Each downturn tested their endurance. “There were times we worked by the hour just to get by,” Paladino said. “You did whatever it took to make it to the next job.”

Even during lean times, they avoided overextending themselves. Rather than renting equipment, they preferred to buy, viewing machines as investments that could hold value. The approach kept them nimble and positioned them to take advantage of opportunities when work picked back up.

One of their first major breakthroughs came in the early 1980s with a million-dollar project in Conway County. The scope and scale dwarfed their earlier jobs and proved they could compete with larger contractors. “That was the one where we felt solid about what we were doing,” Nash said.

A REPUTATION FOR HONESTY

City officials and clients have repeatedly praised the company not just for the projects they complete, but for the way they conduct themselves.

“I hope people say we’re honest,” Nash said. “That we do what we say we’ll do. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most.”

The company’s fingerprints are all over Conway and beyond, from drainage systems along Highway 65 to projects at Hendrix College and the University of Central Arkansas. Residents drive past subdivisions, roundabouts, and community facilities every day without realizing Paladino Nash helped put them there.

PASSING THE TORCH

While Paladino and Nash remain involved, the next generation is stepping forward. Family members Colbey and Jake have taken on more responsibility, managing crews and handling operations. For the founders, seeing their children and grandchildren carry on the work is both gratifying and practical. “We can’t do it all ourselves anymore,” Nash said. “They’ve got the energy, and they’re doing a good job.”

Paladino agrees. “If they put their heart into it the way we did, they’ll be fine. That’s the advice I’d give—be prepared and will yourself to do it.”

LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD

What began with two men, a backhoe, and the support of their wives has become a company that helps shape the infrastructure of Central Arkansas. For Paladino and Nash, success was never about becoming the biggest contractor in the region. It was about providing for their families, honoring their commitments, and building something that would last.

“I never thought we’d be here 46 years later,” Nash said. “Back then, I was just thinking about the next paycheck. But here we are.”

From those first muddy trenches in Cabot to projects across multiple counties, Paladino Nash stands as proof that determination, hard work, and a little help from family can build more than waterlines. They can build a legacy.

Q&A

As the landscape of Central Arkansas continues to shift, few people have a better vantage point than Jon Ross Henderson. A native of Greenbrier and a longtime Conway resident, Henderson was recently named the Conway Market President for First Security Bank. With nearly two decades of experience at the institution, he steps into this leadership role during a period of historic local expansion. We sat down with Henderson to discuss the intersection of community growth, the evolving world of digital banking, and why he believes Conway remains a premier destination for families and businesses alike.

Conway and Faulkner County are experiencing record-breaking growth. From a banking perspective, how is that impacting deposit balances and loan demand?

A: Central Arkansas has experienced tremendous growth over the past five years. In 2020, our total deposit balance was $600 million, and today we are just shy of $1 billion—$960 million to be exact. We are thrilled with that rate. As far as loan demand goes, we have experienced a 39 percent growth rate in loans over that same period. We have seen demand in a variety of sectors, with single-family homes and residential developments leading the way. The housing market in Conway has been growing at a rapid pace, fueling this growth. Outside of residential housing, we are also seeing an uptick in commercial real estate around the area.

How does the competition look in such a fast-moving market?

A: Conway continues to be a highly competitive market for banking because of the strong economy. Banks in the Conway market have good asset quality and minimal foreclosed property. That stability provides a very healthy, albeit competitive, environment for us to operate in.

Being a local native, how does your personal history in Faulkner County inform your leadership style?

A: My family has been in Faulkner County for several generations, mostly in Greenbrier. I have lived in Conway for almost 20 years. I consider the opportunity to serve this community an honor. I believe we should all go through life with the mindset that we need to leave our community better than it was when we entered it. I want this area to be a place where my son, Owen, will want to live and raise his own family one day. Those things don’t happen unless we are all willing to do our part today.

Digital banking is evolving rapidly. How do you balance tech convenience with maintaining local relationships?

A: Banking has been altered by technology as much as any sector. This rush to technology is necessary to provide the convenience customers demand. However, even with those advances, the majority of consumers still prefer to have a human contact at their bank. They want to be able to walk into a lobby and leave with a solution to their problem. While the number of physical transactions may not be growing as fast as it once did, our overall customer count is increasing. That tells me that while people appreciate streamlined digital processes, they still value banking locally.

What trends are you noticing in how residents are financing homes or building equity right now?

A: Financing has been more difficult recently. Interest rates are higher than they were five years ago. Where a rate might have been 3 percent or less then, it could be 6 percent or more today. Historically, today’s rates are still favorable, but they are double what people paid a short time ago. Coupled with price appreciation, some people are being priced out or settling for lower-priced homes. The upside, however, is that residents are gaining equity at a much higher rate. We’ve seen customers who purchased a home just three or four years ago already have 20 percent or more equity strictly from price appreciation.

What are your primary goals as you take over as Market President?

A: We have a great image in the community, and people recognize that the experience here is different. My primary focus for 2025 is supporting our team through a transition period. We have had several key employees retire recently, and we have a solid group ready to step up. My goal is to grow this next generation of bankers who will lead our organization and our community for years to come.

You’ve been with First Security for nearly 20 years. What is the “secret sauce” that has kept you there?

A: Hands down, it’s the people. It starts with the Rutledge family, our board, and our senior management, but it definitely includes the more than 95 employees I work with every day. It feels like family, not a job. I genuinely look forward to being around my co-workers. Work is fun here.

When you aren’t at the bank, where can we find you?

A: Usually outdoors with my family—my wife, Lindsay, our son, Owen, and our black lab, Lilley. We enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, and riding bikes. When the schedule allows, I participate in endurance sports, specifically triathlons. My wife is incredibly supportive of my crazy ideas, whether I’m trying to camp in the backcountry of Wyoming or complete an Ironman event. She’s always there, supporting me every step of the way.

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Conway Celebrates 150 Years

In October, Conway celebrated its 150th anniversary as a city. Founded in 1875 along the Little Rock-Fort Smith railroad, Conway quickly grew from a small depot into a vibrant city shaped by education, innovation, and community. The establishment of three colleges helped define Conway as a “City of Colleges,” fueling decades of cultural and economic growth. Major employers like Nabholz Construction, Acxiom, Virco, and the Conway Human Development Center played key roles in building a diverse economy and creating opportunities for generations of families. Through population booms, downtown revitalization, youth sports growth, expanding healthcare, and a thriving arts and entertainment scene, Conway has continually reinvented itself while holding tight to its welcoming, neighborly feel.

1871

The Founding of Conway Colonel Asa P. Robinson platted Conway Station along the Little Rock–Fort Smith Railroad, establishing the foundation for the community that would become Conway.

1875

Conway is Incorporated

Conway was officially incorporated as a municipality, taking on the name in honor of the influential Conway political family in Arkansas.

1891

Conway Board of Trade Established

The Conway Board of Trade, now known as the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, was established to support and grow the local business community and to help recruit and retain the city’s major higher-education institutions, becoming the long-standing voice of Conway business.

1908

Arkansas State Normal School Established

The Arkansas State Normal School, a state-authorized teacher-training college, opened in Conway in 1908, eventually growing into the modern University of Central Arkansas

1929

Conway Corporation Founded The city created Conway Corp to manage utilities and community development, an entity that would later fuel infrastructure, technology, and economic growth.

1950

KCON Radio Begins Broadcasting

Local radio came to Conway with KCON, creating a new voice for entertainment, news, and community connection for decades.

1954

Virco Establishes a Major Facility in Conway

While Virco Manufacturing Corporation was founded in Los Angeles in 1950 as a school-furniture maker, the company’s expansion into Conway came in 1954 when it acquired the Dunn Furniture Company, establishing one of its primary manufacturing and distribution operations — a presence that helped grow Virco into a national supplier and a long-standing local employer.

1969

Demographic Inc. is Founded

Charles Ward launched what would become Acxiom, a nationally influential technology and data company and a major local employer.

1982

Toad Suck Daze Holds First Festival

Conway launched its now-iconic festival, which has grown into one of the largest family festivals in Arkansas and a defining cultural event.

2022-2023

Fastest Growing in Arkansas

Conway was recognized as the fastest-growing city above 50,000 in Arkansas in 2022 and 2023.

1872-1873

County Seat and Post Office Established

The post office was relocated to Conway Station in 1872, and when Faulkner County was established in 1873, Conway was designated as the county seat, solidifying its civic prominence.

1890

Hendrix College Moves to Conway Hendrix College relocated from Altus to Conway, helping establish the city’s enduring identity as a major educational hub in Arkansas.

1893

Ward Body Works Founded

Dave Ward began building school bus bodies in Conway, forming a manufacturing legacy that became one of the city’s most significant industrial success stories.

1925

Arkansas State Normal Becomes Arkansas State Teachers College

Reflecting growth and academic expansion, the institution changed names, signaling its broader role in higher education.

1949

Nabholz Construction Founded

Robert D. “Bob” Nabholz started what would become Nabholz Construction in Conway in 1949 after building a home for his future bride and selling it, using the proceeds to build more houses and later duplexes and commercial projects — laying the foundation for one of Arkansas’s most respected construction firms.

1952

Central Baptist College Established

CBC’s founding added yet another higher education institution, strengthening Conway’s “City of Colleges” reputation.

1959 Arkansas Children’s Colony Opens

The state opened its first residential training and care facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, later renamed Conway Human Development Center.

1979

Cadron Settlement Park Established

The park opened to preserve one of the region’s most historic early settlement areas, enhancing heritage tourism and education.

2000s

Growth Continues in Conway

Growth has been in the DNA of Conway since its founding. In the 2000s, Conway’s growth kicked into high gear as it crossed 70,000 residents, became the second most-populous city in the Little Rock metro, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.

2025

Conway Cracks Top 100 on U.S. News Best Places to Live List

Conway ranked No. 89 on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live list, the first time the City of Colleges has cracked the top 100 on the list.

GUIDE CON WAY

Get the 411 on Conway’s educational institutions, hospitals, parks, and utilities and public services. For the latest on the businesses, nonprofits, houses of worship, and other organizations that make up the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, browse the online directory of member businesses at ConwayChamber.org.

Education

PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

Conway Public Schools

2220 Prince Street

501-450-4800

ConwaySchools.org @ConwaySchools

District Overview: Founded: 1878

Mascot: Wampus Cat

School Colors: Blue & White Number of Schools: 16 Pre-K through 12th Enrollment: 9,861

Conway Public Schools consists of a preschool, nine elementary schools, four middle schools, one junior high school, one high school, and a career center. The district has established a reputation for high performance. Over the last decade, six out of nine elementary schools have spent time at the top of academic rankings – from benchmark exams and stateassigned letter grades to National Blue Ribbon achievement awards.

Preschool

Sallie Cone Preschool Center

1629 South Boulevard 501-450-6693 sallieconepreschool.weebly.com

Elementary Schools (K–4th)

Carolyn Lewis 1805 Old Military Road 501-450-4835 cles.conwayschools.org

Ellen Smith

1601 South Donaghey Avenue 501-450-4815 eses.conwayschools.org

Preston and Florence Mattison 2001 Florence Mattison Drive 501-450-4820 fmes.conwayschools.org

Ida Burns

1201 Donaghey Avenue 501-450-4825 ibes.conwayschools.org

Jim Stone 4255 College Avenue 501-450-4808 jses.conwayschools.org

Julia Lee Moore

1301 Country Club Road 501-450-4830 jlmes.conwayschools.org

Marguerite Vann

2845 Carl Stuart Road 501-450-4870 mves.conwayschools.org

Theodore Jones

1800 Freyaldenhoven Lane 501-450-6645 tjes.conwayschools.org

Woodrow Cummins 1400 Padgett Road 501-513-4417 wces.conwayschools.org

Middle Schools (5th–7th)

Bob and Betty Courtway 1200 Bob Courtway Drive 501-450-4832 bc.conwayschools.org

Carl Stuart 2745 Carl Stuart Road 501-329-2782 cs.conwayschools.org

Raymond and Phyllis Simon 1601 East Siebenmorgan 501-513-6120 si.conwayschools.org

Ruth Doyle 800 Padgett Road 501-450-6675 rdi.conwayschools.org

Conway Junior High (8th–9th)

1815 Prince Street

501-450-4860

cjhs.conwayschools.org

Conway High School (10th–12th)

2300 Prince Street 501-450-4880

chs.conwayschools.org

Conway Area Career Center

2300 Prince Street 501-450-4888 cacc.conwayschools.org

The Conway Area Career Center fosters learning through career and technical education. Programs of study include architectural drafting and design, cosmetology, culinary arts, photography, and welding, among others. The Career Center is located on the Conway High School campus but serves students attending high schools throughout Faulkner, Van Buren, Cleburne, Perry, and White counties.

PRIVATE & PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS

St. Joseph Catholic School

502 Front Street

501-329-5741

StJosephConway.org

@SJSBulldogs

District Overview:

Founded: 1879

Mascot: Bulldog

School Colors: Purple & Gold Grades: Pre-K through 12th grade

Pre-K through 12th Enrollment: 576

St. Joseph School has provided quality, Catholic education to students in Conway since 1879. Its ultimate goal is to integrate faith and learning in order to develop the whole person: soul, mind, and body. St. Joseph Catholic School is accredited by the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association and is under the direction of the Diocese of Little Rock.

Conway Christian School

500 East German Lane

501-336-9067

ConwayChristianSchool.org

@ConwayChristian

District Overview:

Founded: 1992

Mascot: Eagles

School Colors: Blue, White & Red Grades: Pre-K through 12th grade

Pre-K through 12th Enrollment: 820

Conway Christian School, established in 1992, provides a comprehensive educational program for students. The interdenominational, college preparatory school strives to provide an environment where students can grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Conway Christian School is accredited by the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association and the Association of Christian Schools International.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Conway is the proud home of three institutions of higher learning, earning the distinction as the “City of Colleges.” Central Baptist College, Hendrix College, and the University of Central Arkansas consistently produce graduates who stay in the area and enter the workforce. This is part of the reason Conway surpasses the state and national averages when it comes to the educational attainment rate – more than one-third of Conway’s adults age 25 or older have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Central Baptist College

Central Baptist College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college owned and operated by the Baptist Missionary Association of Arkansas.

1501 College Avenue

501-329-6872

CBC.edu

@CentBaptCollege

Founded: 1952 (predecessor

Central College founded in 1893)

Mascot: Mustang

School Colors: Blue & Gray

Enrollment: 570

Degrees Offered: 41 bachelor’s degrees, 5 associate degrees, 24 minors, 25 pre-professional programs

Hendrix

College

Hendrix College is a four-year, private college of liberal arts affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

1600 Washington Avenue

501-329-6811

Hendrix.edu

@HendrixCollege

Founded: 1876

(moved to Conway in 1890)

Mascot: Warrior

School Colors: Orange & Black

Enrollment: 1,111

Degrees Offered: 31 undergraduate majors, 33 minors, 15 preprofessional programs

University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas is a four-year, state-run institution granting bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

201 Donaghey Avenue 501-450-5000

UCA.edu

@UCABears

Founded: 1907

Mascot: Bear

School Colors: Purple and Gray

Enrollment: 9,962

Degrees Offered: 89 undergraduate degrees, 34 master’s degrees, 11 post-master’s certificates, 11 graduate certificates, 7 doctoral degrees, 3 associate degrees, 2 certificates of proficiency, 2 technical certificates, 2 specialist programs

Healthcare

Baptist Health–Conway 1555 Exchange Avenue 501-585-2000 baptisthealthconway.com

As the largest, not-for-profit health care organization in the state, Baptist Health has delivered quality health care to Arkansans for more than 90 years. Its ninth and newest hospital location, Baptist Health–Conway, is a faith-based, state-of-the-art facility offering an integrated healing environment for the care and comfort of patients and families.

Located on the west side of Interstate 40, the 260,000-squarefoot facility features 111 beds and eight operating rooms. Baptist Health–Conway offers a full spectrum of comprehensive services, including inpatient and outpatient surgical care, orthopedic care, heart services, women’s health, and MRI and CAT scan services.

Since it opened in Conway in September 2016, Baptist Health has worked with various educational institutions and nonprofits to promote health and wellness in Faulkner County and the surrounding communities.

Conway Behavioral Health Hospital

2255 Strugis Road 866-868-2716 conwaybh.com

Conway Behavioral Health Hospital treats adults and adolescents with a variety of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and co-occurring addiction. The 80-bed, 65,000-square-foot mental health treatment center provides acute inpatient care in a secure setting for adults and adolescents.

Conway Behavioral Health is part of the Acadia network, a provider of inpatient behavioral health care services. Acadia operates a network of 593 behavioral health care facilities with approximately 18,100 beds in 40 states, the United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico. Acadia provides behavioral health and addiction services to its patients in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, specialty treatment facilities, residential treatment centers, and outpatient clinics.

Conway Regional Health System

2302 College Avenue 800-245-3314 conwayregional.org

Conway Regional Health System provides inpatient and outpatient health care services to Faulkner County and the surrounding area. As a not-for-profit health system, Conway Regional is committed to reinvesting in health care services that benefit the communities it serves.

The health system works with numerous philanthropic organizations throughout the community to provide programs that benefit people of all ages and income levels. Conway Regional also offers support programs to help families and patients through difficult situations, such as cancer treatment, diabetes management, and the tragic loss of an infant.

In addition to its 150-bed, acute care medical center, Conway Regional Health System features an all-digital outpatient imaging center, an outpatient surgery center, a freestanding rehabilitation hospital, several primary care clinics, and one of the largest hospital-owned fitness centers in the nation.

& Public Ser v ices

Conway Corporation

650 Locust Street 501-450-6000 conwaycorp.com

Conway Corp operates the cityowned utility system and provides electric, water, wastewater, video, internet, voice and security services for the Conway community.

City of Conway Department of Sanitation

4550 Highway 64 West 501-450-6155 conwaysanitation.org

The City of Conway’s Department of Sanitation provides trash pickup, yard-waste collection, and free recycling service to Conway homes and businesses.

AT&T Arkansas

101 N. 13th, Room 316 (Fort Smith) 479-785-6610 att.com

AT&T offers wireless, internet, and TV services in Conway and the surrounding area.

Summit Utilities 817 North Creek Drive

800-992-7552 summitutilities.com

Summit Utilities provides natural gas services to residential and business customers in Conway.

Entergy Arkansas

112 Oak Street

800-368-37492 entergy-arkansas.com

Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to residences outside of Conway’s city limits.

Arkansas 811 811 or 800-482-8998 arkonecall.com

Arkansas 811 is the statewide “call before you dig” center. It allows excavators of all types to notify multiple utilities of their intent to excavate with a single phone call or online submission.

DECADES OF TRUST. Generations of growth.

At First Security, we’re proud to be a part of Conway history. From beautiful parks to local businesses to college campuses –our team is honored to have been part of the community growth here for over three decades. Supporting families. Serving small business owners. And helping Conway Bank Better every day. Drop by one of our local banking centers to see how.

Not mass-produced health care. Curated care.

Conway Regional has a vision. For more than a century, our team has brought together key service lines, providers, and technologies to create patient experiences that are highly intentional and refreshingly personal. It’s about blending access and excellence. Familiarity and erce commitment. Advocating for patients while providing the services our communities deserve. See what curated care looks like for you.