LeadAR: It Takes a Village, and Newport Found Theirs

by Vivian Brittenum, director of business services and special projects, Central Arkansas Planning and Development District - April 2, 2026

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Newport, Arkansas, as part of a LeadAR tour. I'll be honest, when I first heard Newport was on the itinerary, my reaction was immediate and unfiltered. What in the world could possibly be in Newport? Where is Newport? How do I even get there?

Let me just say, we were in for a real treat.

Newport is a small city in northeast Arkansas, nestled along the White River about 84 miles northeast of Little Rock and roughly 45 miles southwest of Jonesboro. It serves as the county seat of Jackson County and has quietly established itself as a regional hub for agriculture, industry, and workforce development.

I liken this small city to the old adage about the little engine that could. Well, Newport is the small city that could and absolutely did. In just 20 short years, this community has transformed itself into a major player among cities of comparable size. The training and educational opportunities are abundant, and the workforce opportunities available pay remarkably well for the area.

It truly took a village coming together with one common goal: creating a better Newport. The ambitious Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Newport Economic Development Commission, Olivia Womack, director of business development, Katherine Holmstrom, project manager, business retention and expansion, and David Copeland, manager of grants and economic development, are just a few of the eager, forward-thinking leaders who have come together to make Newport a growing, thriving community with no signs of slowing down.

Newport's roots run deep in Arkansas history. It is the birthplace of Hollywood-acclaimed actress Mary Steenburgen and former Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe. It is also home to Sam Walton's first five and dime store, a landmark that foreshadowed the retail empire that would follow. And if you've ever enjoyed Great Value chips or the famous tortillas from On the Border, you should know those are made fresh every day in Newport. The city also proudly boasts a legacy in cotton research and shares the story of Pickens W. Black Sr., the first African American pilot licensed in Arkansas, who owned more than 8,000 acres in the area.

Newport may be small in size, but it is enormous in vision, history, and heart. This is a community that is writing its own comeback story, and it is one worth paying attention to.