Through the Hearing from Heartland Mayors Question & Answer series, Heartland Forward spotlights the leaders guiding some of the most dynamic communities in the middle of the country to uplift their work, their regional success and outline key takeaways that could benefit other heartland cities and towns. Each piece aims to go beyond headlines to explore the strategies, values and on-the-ground decisions shaping places that are driving economic growth and high quality of life across the heartland.
The next edition in this series focuses on Fort Smith, Arkansas, where Mayor George B. McGill is leading a city with deep historic roots as a frontier town into a new era of growth. Long known as a gateway for commerce, Fort Smith is becoming a center for advanced industry, international partnerships and defense innovation, driven in part by the F-35 mission at nearby Ebbing Air National Guard Base. Heartland Forward sat down with Mayor McGill to discuss how Fort Smith is building on its rich history, preparing its workforce and positioning itself for long-term growth.
Heartland Forward: Fort Smith has long been a gateway for commerce and industry in the region. What has been your guiding vision for the city, and how has it evolved during your time as mayor?
Mayor McGill: From the beginning of my administration, my guiding vision has been to position Fort Smith as the regional trade center of western Arkansas while strengthening our economic ties with the rapidly growing Northwest Arkansas corridor.
Achieving that vision has required more than recruiting businesses. It has meant building strong relationships with industry leaders, fostering an environment where businesses can succeed, investing in quality-of-life amenities and creating attractions that make Fort Smith a community where people want to live, work and raise their families. Throughout my time as Mayor, I have devoted considerable energy to promoting a positive image of Fort Smith. I have worked to tell our story, highlight our strengths and build partnerships at the local, state, national and international levels. Whether through economic development initiatives, military partnerships, infrastructure improvements, tourism or community engagement, my goal has always been to create momentum that benefits every resident.
Today, the results are evident. Fort Smith has experienced significant growth in business investment, expanded opportunities through the Foreign Military Sales mission, strengthened international relationships, improved public amenities and enhanced its reputation as a city that is forward-looking, collaborative and prepared for the future. While there is always more work to do, I am proud that together we have positioned Fort Smith for continued prosperity and have laid a strong foundation for future generations.
Heartland Forward: Fort Smith has a rich history and a strong sense of identity. How do you honor that heritage while positioning the city for future growth?
Mayor McGill: Fort Smith’s greatest strength has always been its ability to embrace change without losing sight of who we are. Our history is not simply something we preserve in museums or commemorate during special events—it is the foundation upon which we build our future. We are a city defined by resilience. From our beginnings as a frontier military post to our role as a center of law, commerce, manufacturing and transportation, Fort Smith has continually reinvented itself while remaining true to its character.
That same spirit continues today. Honoring our heritage means preserving the places and stories that make Fort Smith unique. It means celebrating our western legacy, our military heritage, our diverse neighborhoods, our arts and cultural institutions and the generations of families whose hard work built this community. It means investing in historic downtown, protecting our landmarks and ensuring that our young people understand the rich history they inherit.
At the same time, honoring our past does not mean standing still. The Fort Smith of tomorrow must be a city that welcomes innovation, attracts new industries, develops a skilled workforce and provides opportunities for our children and grandchildren to build successful lives here. The arrival of the F-35 Foreign Military Sales mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, continued investment in advanced manufacturing, improvements to our parks and trails and partnerships with education and business all demonstrate that Fort Smith is embracing a future built on economic growth and regional collaboration.
Our vision is to position Fort Smith as the regional trade and innovation center of western Arkansas, closely connected with the remarkable growth occurring in Northwest Arkansas while maintaining our own unique identity. We are not trying to become another city. We are becoming the very best version of Fort Smith. As we move forward, our responsibility is to leave Fort Smith stronger than we found it: financially sound, economically competitive, culturally vibrant and deeply rooted in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. Our heritage gives us our identity. Our vision gives us our direction. Together, they will shape the next chapter in Fort Smith’s remarkable story.
Heartland Forward: Across the heartland, workforce readiness is one of the defining challenges. How is Fort Smith preparing its workforce for the jobs of the future?
Mayor McGill: One of the greatest challenges facing communities across America is preparing people for jobs that may not have existed just a few years ago. In Fort Smith, we recognized early that workforce development isn’t just an education issue. It is an economic development strategy. We are preparing our workforce by building strong partnerships between education, business, industry and government.
The arrival of the F-35 Foreign Military Sales mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base has elevated the need for highly skilled workers in aviation, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, logistics and engineering. That mission is creating opportunities not only on the base, but throughout our regional economy. We are fortunate to have outstanding partners such as the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, the Peak Innovation Center and our local public schools. Together, they are expanding career and technical education, apprenticeships, health care training and STEM programs that connect students directly with employers.
Our business community is also stepping up. Companies are investing in employee training, internships and workforce development because they understand that talent is the most important investment they can make. We are encouraging students to see that they don’t have to leave Fort Smith to find meaningful, high-paying careers. Those opportunities are increasingly available right here at home.
Equally important, we are working to make Fort Smith a place where talented people want to live. Workforce readiness is about more than technical skills. It includes quality of life, parks, trails, entertainment, housing and a vibrant downtown. Young professionals and growing families want communities that offer opportunity alongside an exceptional quality of life. That means investing in people just as much as we invest in infrastructure. When we prepare our workforce, we are preparing our future. We are creating a city that attracts employers, retains young talent, supports lifelong learning and provides opportunities for every generation. That’s how Fort Smith will continue to compete—not just today, but for decades to come.
Heartland Forward: The F-35 mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base is bringing significant investment and attention to Fort Smith. How do you see it shaping the city’s future?
Mayor McGill: The F-35 mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base is shaping the future of Fort Smith.
● A stronger regional economy. The mission is expected to bring approximately 900 military personnel and family members to the region along with international partners, civilian employees, contractors and their families to our community. That means increased demand for housing, retail, health care, education and professional services. It creates opportunities for existing businesses while attracting new investment., with additional growth as the program
● Long-term federal investment. The federal government continues to demonstrate its commitment to Fort Smith through significant infrastructure investments. In 2025, Arkansas’ congressional delegation announced an additional $141 million for facilities including an Academic Training Center, aircraft maintenance hangars, mission planning facilities and future expansion projects at Ebbing.
● International relationships. Fort Smith is becoming a welcoming home for allied nations. Our partnerships with Poland, Singapore, Germany and other countries extend beyond military cooperation. These relationships foster cultural exchange, educational opportunities and future business connections that strengthen our city’s global presence.
● A growing defense and aerospace sector. The presence of the F-35 mission enhances Fort Smith’s attractiveness to aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, technology companies and suppliers. Businesses want to locate where there is a skilled workforce, modern infrastructure and a stable federal mission.
● Workforce development. This mission creates opportunities for our schools, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, technical education programs and training centers to prepare students for careers in aviation maintenance, engineering, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, logistics and information technology.
● National recognition. Winning this highly competitive mission demonstrated that Fort Smith can compete successfully on the national stage. It validates the strength of our airport, our military facilities, our workforce and the collaborative leadership of our community.
● Future growth potential. The Air Force has already announced plans to expand the mission, increasing the number of F-35 aircraft that can be stationed at Ebbing from 24 to as many as 36, along with nearly 200 additional personnel to support the expanded training mission.
We are becoming recognized as a center for international defense cooperation, advanced technology and global commerce. Our city is welcoming military professionals and families from around the world, strengthening our economy while contributing to the security of America’s allies. The F-35 mission is creating opportunities for our citizens, inspiring our young people to pursue careers in science and technology, attracting new investment and ensuring that Fort Smith remains a city with a bright future. This mission is helping position Fort Smith as one of the nation’s emerging defense communities and an important gateway connecting the Arkansas River Valley with the global economy.
Heartland Forward: What do you think Fort Smith offers today that might surprise someone who hasn’t visited in a decade?
Mayor McGill: Someone who has not visited Fort Smith in ten years would likely be surprised by how much the city has evolved. Many people still think of Fort Smith primarily as a historic frontier town, but today it is increasingly recognized as a center for advanced manufacturing, defense, outdoor recreation and international partnerships.
In addition to the items I have already mentioned, here are some of the biggest surprises:
● Major investments in recreation and quality of life. The city has invested in parks, trails, inclusive playgrounds and riverfront amenities. Current projects will further expand our multiuse trail system to help connect neighborhoods while promoting health, tourism and outdoor recreation.
● Economic diversification. Long known for manufacturing, Fort Smith continues to attract investment from advanced manufacturers while supporting entrepreneurs, logistics, health care and technology. Companies continue to expand because of the city’s skilled workforce and strategic location.
● Health care and education growth. Institutions such as Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and the region’s health care providers have strengthened Fort Smith’s role as a regional center for education and medical services.
● A renewed sense of momentum. Downtown has seen continued investment in restaurants, entertainment, public events and cultural attractions. Annual events draw visitors from across the region, while local leaders have worked to enhance the city’s image and create a stronger sense of civic pride.
About Fort Smith:
● A regional hub: Fort Smith is Arkansas’ third-largest city, with an estimated 90,855 residents, serving as an economic anchor for western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.
● Taking flight: In 2023, Fort Smith’s Ebbing Air National Guard Base was selected to host the Air Force’s international F-35 pilot training program, bringing allied military personnel from around the world to Arkansas.
● Home to America’s only U.S. Marshals Museum: The 53,000-square-foot U.S. Marshals Museum, which opened in 2023, is the nation’s only museum dedicated to the U.S. Marshals Service and explores more than 235 years of federal law enforcement history.
● Celebrating hometown heroes: Fort Smith recently renamed streets to honor Fort Smith’s own NBA champions Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Joe and boxing champion Bobby Crabtree, recognizing both their athletic achievements and their ties to the community.