When the River Rose
Located along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, Ingram is a Hill Country community where neighbors know one another and volunteer service runs deep. But in July 2025, that sense of familiarity was…
Rooted in Memphis, Expanding to Atlanta
For 25 years, Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, founded in Memphis, Tennessee, has built its reputation on a simple promise: scratch-made cookies, baked fresh with 100% pure butter, delivered with consistency and care.…
From Adversity to Comeback
By the time Michele Henegar first walked into the office at Siam Utility District, the problems were so deep that even longtime water professionals were backing away. Records were scattered in handwritten notebooks. There…
Two Decades in the Making
When Board Chairman Fred Hammack looks back on Delaware County Rural Water District #12’s journey, one moment always stands out — the day he was told the system first had to become official before it could ever move……
Full Backpacks
On Friday afternoons at Park Avenue Elementary in Stuttgart, Arkansas, a small but powerful ritual now takes place. Quietly, backpacks filled with an assortment of healthy foods and meals are slipped into the hands of…
Refusing to Quit
Thinking about regionalization for your rural water system? This video explains what regionalization means, why it matters, and why it takes time to do it right. After 30 years of planning, setbacks, and…
Habit Shift
When Jennie Christopher began teaching behavioral science to college students, she never imagined it would lead her beyond the classroom. Then, a few years ago, one of her students asked a question that changed everything.…
Showing Up
On an early January morning in College Hill, a small neighborhood in Texarkana, Arkansas, the last thing Anthony Williams wanted was attention. He stood quietly in his yard and watched small business owners haul away piles…
When Capital Meets Care
On a small piece of inherited land in Slaughter, a rural community in East Feliciana Parish in southeast Louisiana, Gigi’s Garden Groceries and Farm is cultivating more than herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees — it is growing…
Holding On
Help for small water systems is crucial. In far West Texas, near the Chinati Mountains and the Rio Grande, the small community of Candelaria has been around for more than 100 years. Founded in the early 1900s, it once had a…
Under Control
Across the U.S., alternative financing and entrepreneurship solutions are helping small business owners find new paths to growth and stability — and that’s exactly what happened for Jason Skelton, owner of S&S Auto…
Staying Afloat
Nestled deep in the Davy Crockett National Forest of East Texas, the Nigton-Wakefield Water Supply Corporation (WSC) in Trinity County has had the same mission since 2006: Keep water flowing to rural families who have no…
Developing the Developers
Building Local Developers The Develop the Developer Academy (DTDA) is made possible through partnerships with Freddie Mac, a national organization that helps keep housing affordable and stable.…
Turning Point
Price Hardware has been part of Atlanta, Texas since 1946 — a familiar doorway where generations have picked up tools, swapped advice, and supported a long-standing local business. For President and CEO Randal Wilson, that…
A New Lifeline
The Community Infrastructure Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) is increasingly turning to uncommon solutions to help small water and wastewater systems meet urgent needs. Federal programs remain essential — but when…
Growing Forward
In the fall of 2016, just weeks after Kim and Carlos Garcia married, grief and a life-altering decision arrived at the same time. Carlos’s stepfather, who had long run a small mowing route, passed away after a stroke and…
Signaling Change
This piece discusses maternal and infant loss, postpartum health complications, and the obstacles families face when care isn’t accessible. These topics are deeply personal and can be painful to read, especially for those…
From Housing Work to a Lending Lifeline
When Susan Forte walked into a ribbon-cutting event in Pine Bluff, Arkansas earlier in 2025, she wasn’t there to network. She was there to listen. In that moment, the community was opening a modular home — a project…
From Frustration to Forward Motion
By the time the sun hits the edge of the sidewalk in Oak Forest, a neighborhood in southwest Little Rock, Arkansas, the empty lot beside James Allen Jr.’s house doesn’t look like much — just a handful of cleared stumps,…
Keeping Local Food Growing
When the Acadiana Growers Alliance (AGA) was founded in 2015, it grew from a simple belief: that everyone in southern Louisiana should have access to locally grown food — and that small family farms deserve the support they…
Crisis Averted
When Leona Stephens thinks back on the past year, one sound stands out more than any other: the crack of another water main giving way. Deer Run buys its water from the nearby City of Van Buren, but the pressure…
Resilience and Growth
When Tabatha Vail talks about building T&J Cleaning Service, she doesn’t begin with spreadsheets or strategy. She begins with her son — and with a decision to take control of her future. In 2019, Vail lost her oldest…
Driving Change
When the starter in her aging Hyundai failed for the third time, Kiyah Moss pulled onto the shoulder of a Northwest Arkansas (NWA) highway and sat quietly behind the wheel, wondering whether she’d make it to work — or how…
Tools for Progress
In Selma, Alabama — part of the state’s Black Belt region — the Dallas County Water & Sewer Authority had long struggled with failing infrastructure that too often left sewage spilling into customers’ yards and homes.…
A Coastal Water System Under Pressure
When Orangefield Water Supply Corporation (OFWSC) General Manager Jason Engle talks about the pressure on his community’s water system, he often starts at the beginning. “Our water lines were originally built in 1999 and…
Neighbors in Orange
On a chilly November morning, the sound of hammers, saws, and dozens of volunteers in bright orange shirts filled an otherwise quiet neighborhood on the edge of Atlanta, located in northeastern Texas in Cass County. Cliff…
Crowning Confidence
When Houston entrepreneur Hallie Cooper decided to turn her passion into a business, she was continuing a family legacy of beauty and care that began with her grandmother. “My grandmother is a hairstylist, and I grew…
Sweet Potatoes & Strong Spirits
In downtown Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, Delta Dirt Distillery continues to prove that world-class spirits can come from rich Delta soil and deep family roots. When Communities Unlimited (CU) first highlighted their story…
Home-Field Advantage
When Robyn and Charles Krzykwa realized they were spending nearly as much time driving to buy sports gear as watching their three boys play, something clicked. “We started realizing there just weren’t many options for…
Reviving the Lines
When General Manager Lane Thompson and his crews walk the wooded property surrounding the East Texas Municipal Utility District (MUD), he’s quickly reminded that his small system that serves 774 water and 639 wastewater…
Turning Pages & Building Wealth
When sisters Tristan Towns and Lacey Howard launched DeSisso Publishing in Memphis, Tennessee, they set out to write children’s books that celebrate confidence, culture, and joy. That shared passion has since evolved into a…
Unbreakable Spirit
When a landlord’s eviction notice landed in her hands in early 2025, Delhi, Louisiana salon owner Justine McCall could have given up. It was just one more blow in a difficult season that also included a miscarriage and…
Stronger Than Ever
Until mid-2024, the Wilcox County Water and Sewer District’s board contracted with a management firm to oversee daily operations, billing, and financial reporting. When the contract ended, the board discovered…
Rural Resilience
The southeastern corner of Oklahoma lies within the Choctaw Nation, a region defined by the rugged Ouachita Mountains and vast National Forest. Eight state parks, including Beavers Bend, are nestled within this wilderness,…
A Long Road to One Water Source
In northeastern Oklahoma, representatives from a dozen water systems, an engineering firm, a tribal government, and a nonprofit are evaluating a proposal that could reshape how an entire county gets its drinking water. The…
Riding the Waves of Success
When the world slowed down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Diana Monk and her family sped up. Her daughter, Morgan — or “Mo,” as Diana calls her — had been buying plates of seafood from someone’s home kitchen. Diana…
A Clean Sweep
Five years ago, Tandra Jordan was juggling a day job and a dream — running a small cleaning service that barely covered the bills. Today, Ms. Tan’s OCD Cleaning Service in Little Rock, Arkansas, manages dozens of contracts…
A New Home for Healing
Jessica Kennington began her college journey with the goal of pursuing a career in criminal justice. But just before completing her bachelor’s degree, a major life event reshaped her future. “I became a mom,” Kennington…
Steady Flow
On the southern side of Dallas, Texas, just off Dowdy Ferry Road, sits D Bar B Water & Wastewater Supply Corporation — a small, member-owned utility that has weathered decades of change with determination and community…
Local Lift
Communities Unlimited (CU) is excited to announce that, thanks to a new grant from the Walton Family Foundation, we will expand both entrepreneurship and housing efforts in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, over the next two years. At…
Mission Multiplied
On a calm weekday morning at Therapeutic Focus in West Memphis, Arkansas, owner Dr. LaTeasha Davis sat in her office surrounded by color-coded charts, framed children’s artwork, and the gentle sounds of therapy sessions down…
Healing Growth
Laney Bassham never set out to be an entrepreneur. In grad school, private practice wasn’t even on her radar. But after years in residential addiction treatment and nonprofit management — and feeling the weight of…
Nature’s Economy
Noxubee County, located in east-central Mississippi along the Alabama border, has been selected as one of just 25 rural communities nationwide — and one of only two from the South — to participate in the Recreation Economy…
Helping Tribal Nations Protect Their Water
On a late afternoon at Jones Academy in Hartshorne, Oklahoma — a historic school in the Choctaw Nation — staff sifted through dusty boxes of maps and records. Few knew what lay buried in those papers, but with the help of…
Rebuilding Hope
The Housing Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) is helping low-income homeowners in Louisiana repair homes damaged by Hurricane Francine. Many rural families were left out of early state and federal disaster relief efforts,…
From Failing System to Stability
Just a few years ago, River Road Water Works was teetering on collapse. The rural system in Richland Parish, in northeast Louisiana’s Delta region, had racked up 36 major health violations, was $80,000 in debt, and faced…
Living Her Purpose
Aleatrice West always knew she was meant to do something different. After 17 years working as a railroad conductor, she enjoyed the steady paycheck — but fulfillment eluded her. “I realized the reason I could never answer…
From Setbacks to Shine
Joy Harvey is a small business owner proving that resilience can pay off even in uncertain times. As the owner of Harvey’s Detail Connection, a premium mobile automotive detailing business in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Harvey is…
Transporting Smiles
On any given day, Dr. Camille Tabor-Cobb can be found hauling dental chairs, sterilization supplies, and instruments out of the trunk of her Sedan, setting up wherever her patients need her most. For two…
Building Forward
Construction is almost like playing with Legos for Arkansas builder Vernon James. On his job sites, he sees walls and beams going up like puzzle pieces, fitting together one by one. “As a kid, Legos were my favorite toy — I…
Born From a Hack
Years ago, a cyberattack on a side business turned Cecile Mengue’s life upside down. The incident wiped out everything she had built and left her asking tough questions: “How did I get hacked? What made me a target?” That…
Hope on the Doorstep
On a hot July morning in Belzoni, Mississippi, Clerk Delores Harris opened the doors of City Hall expecting a steady trickle of residents. Instead, she was met with a line that stretched down the block — families clutching…
Develop the Developer
Communities Unlimited (CU), in partnership with Freddie Mac, is excited to launch the Develop the Developer Academy — a program designed to equip aspiring and early-stage real estate developers with the skills, knowledge,…
Gordon Rebounds
When Charles Dismuke first took office as mayor of Gordon, he didn’t know if the small southeastern Alabama town could keep going. “To be honest, things weren’t very good,” he recalled. “We weren’t really able to function…
Farm Forward
When the pandemic brought the world to a halt, Stacey McGraw and her husband, Charlie, found themselves spending more time at home in rural Clayton, Louisiana. What might have been idle hours for some turned into a moment…
Seeds of Change
When Mayor Barbara Domain walks behind Ames City Hall these days, she sees more than rows of okra, peppers, zucchini, and squash. She sees neighbors trading recipes, children learning where their food comes from, and a…
Surviving and Thriving
In a year when many small food businesses in rural Arkansas have closed their doors, Misha Murphy’s business is still rolling. Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Bakery & Burgers, credits her resilience to creativity, community…
Next Chapter
When Katie Stone was growing up in foster care, she often felt like she was missing a guidebook for life. Nobody had shown her how to navigate hard conversations or prepare for the milestones ahead. Years later, as…
Shining Future
Jennifer White will be the first to admit she’s old-fashioned — she grew up in her grandparents’ household. When she was younger, it was easier to walk into an employer’s office, shake someone’s hand, and land a job. Today,…
Infrastructure Refurbished
A vital piece of water infrastructure in south Arkansas’s Union County, near the Louisiana border, has been refurbished thanks to a low-interest loan from Communities Unlimited (CU). Johnson Township Public Works Authority…
Score Builder
When one of her students jumped nine points on the ACT after just six weeks of tutoring, Lasonya Anderson realized she had been given a gift. That early breakthrough planted the seeds of ProACT, the tutoring business she…
Rolling Forward
When the sound in his truck’s front end grew too loud to ignore, Isaac Traylor knew his business was at risk of stalling. The 2020 Dodge Ram wasn’t just transportation — it was the workhorse that pulled the trailer carrying…
Through the Lens
When the warnings flashed across her computer screen — update required, system no longer supported — Deitra Jackson knew her photography career was running on borrowed time. Her trusted laptop and camera had carried her for…
Roof Relief
For six years, one side of Tony and Delores Clark’s roof sat under tarps, exposed to rain, wind, and heat. A 2019 tornado outbreak in Alto, Texas — one of four twisters to hit Cherokee County that day — damaged their home,…
Taps Turning
In the rural expanse of Jim Wells County in South Texas, just beyond the city limits of Alice, lies English Acres — a colonia where unpaved roads crisscross modest homes and basic infrastructure has always been a struggle.…
From Rails to Trails
In the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Johnson County leaders and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) are charting a new path — literally. Their goal: transform a…
Fueled by Passion
May McNeil has carried an entrepreneurial spark since childhood. “I was the 10-year-old with a lemonade stand, an at-home restaurant, a family newspaper – you name it, I made it a business endeavor,” May admitted. As she…
Broadband Progress Picks Up
When festivalgoers arrived in downtown Bentonia, Mississippi, for the annual Blues Festival in June, they found more than music and barbecue — they found free public Wi-Fi. The service, launched just in time for the event,…
Creating a Lasting Legacy
When Laking Harris left the Marine Corps after eight years and returned home to Texarkana, Texas, he felt a sense of emptiness. Having once signed a contract to fight and, if necessary, give his life for his country, he…
Driven Forward
For years, Ben Reynolds dreamed of owning his own business. This summer, that dream became a reality when he launched Klaus Transports & Logistics, a Lufkin-based hot shot trucking company specializing in quick-haul…
Fueling Start Up
At just 21, Amanuel Abraham is steering his future forward with Abraham Trucking LLC in Nolensville, Tennessee. After purchasing his first truck and trailer in May 2025, he has been busy hauling dirt, gravel, sand, and…
A Year Later
A year after LeFlore Rural Water District #17 (RWD #17) shared its story of resilience and turnaround, the small southeast Oklahoma community is seeing its efforts come to fruition. Backed by nearly $3.3 million in funding,…
Bringing Hope
The Broadband Team at Communities Unlimited (CU), alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), spent July 8-10 in Bolivar and Coahoma counties in Mississippi and Phillips County, Arkansas, meeting with local leaders…
Café Comeback
In downtown Prairie Grove in Washington County, Northwest Arkansas, Magnolia House is more than just a coffee shop. About 15 miles southwest of Fayetteville, it blends bistro, bakery, and music venue — a spot where locals…
Carbon Chicken
On an 11-acre farm in the rural outskirts of Fayetteville, Jody Hardin and Richard Ims are tackling one of Northwest Arkansas’ biggest environmental challenges: surplus poultry litter in the Illinois River watershed.…
A Roof Overhead, A Future Reclaimed
Linden, Texas, is a rural community of just over 1,800 people and the county seat of Cass County. There, two relatives received home repairs that did more than fix a roof — they restored a sense of stability, security, and…
Building an Insurance Dream
In southern Oklahoma, Heather Yang is betting on something old-fashioned: personal connection. Yang, a veteran of the insurance industry for more than 20 years, launched the Heather Yang Agency in January 2024 in Ardmore,…
Legacy, Lettuce, and the Power of Place
In the rural town of England, Arkansas — located in Lonoke County, just southeast of Little Rock and northeast of Pine Bluff — a patch of once-abandoned land is blossoming into something far more powerful than rows of…
Planting Possibility in Deep East Texas
Tucked in the southeastern corner of Deep East Texas, near the edge of Houston, one small library is digging into a big idea. Inspired by other branches in the Harris County Public Library system, Nyla Vela, branch manager…
Digital Hustle
At just 20 years old, Siah Shaw is already running a growing online business while juggling full-time work as a Team Lead at T-Mobile and studying Cybersecurity Engineering at Colorado Technical University. Her company,…
Building Bridges in the Delta
In the heart of the Mississippi Delta lies Jonestown, a small town in Coahoma County where deep history meets deep challenges. Surrounded by flat farmland and long shadowed by poverty, Jonestown is turning a corner — led by…
Applications Available July 14–August 29 for Healthy Homes Repair Program in the Delta
Communities Unlimited (CU) has announced it has been awarded a $2 million Healthy Homes Production Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding will support CU’s new Healthy Homes…
Bringing Play and Purpose to Carthage
When you walk into Kiddos Play Center, you’re immediately greeted by bright colors, playful structures, and the sound of children’s laughter echoing through the building. The new business in Carthage — the county seat of…
A New Roof, A New Chapter
In the quaint Delta town of Lambert, Mississippi — just four miles south of Marks — a weathered home received a life-changing upgrade. After more than five years of roof leaks, missing shingles, and deteriorating wood…
Sanitation Success
In the heart of the Arkansas Delta lies the small city of Turrell in Crittenden County — just 25 miles north of Memphis, about 50 miles southeast of Jonesboro, and 140 miles northeast of Little Rock. With a population of…
Delta Revival
In the Mississippi Delta town of Marks, where rich soil meets deep-rooted challenges, Big Field Water Association is writing a new chapter — one marked by transparency, structure, and a growing sense of possibility. At the…
Cyber Threats Hit Home
A recent hands-on training hosted by Communities Unlimited (CU) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) brought a sobering reality to light: cyberattacks aren’t just a threat to big cities or tech…
From Floodwaters to Fine Wine
Chris Cox was attending the University of Miami, pursuing her undergraduate degree in geoscience and supporting herself by working at a catering company, when she discovered her love for wine and the wine industry. Her…
Roofs Tell the Real Story
In this small East Texas town, where pine trees tower over winding roads and neighbors still greet each other by name, the homes tell a quieter, more urgent story — one of aging structures, storm-damaged roofs, and limited…
Storm Shield
After years of managing a leaking roof, longtime North Little Rock resident and pre-K teacher Edith Adams finally has a new roof over her head — and not just any roof, but a fortified one designed to better protect her home…
From Purity to Profit
When Alyssa Davis opened Pure Hydration Plus in Beaumont, Texas, it wasn’t just about starting a business — it was about doing it better. A former employee at a local alkaline water refill store, Davis had long believed in…
Smart Meters, Smart Moves
In East Texas’ Trinity County — home to over 14,500 residents — the Pennington Water Supply Corporation (WSC) is undertaking a major system upgrade to better serve its rural customers. With more than 1,000 active connections…
Small Steps, Big Relief
On a quiet patch of farmland in rural Phillips County, the only home still standing on a remote road belongs to 70-year-old Alenora Williams. She’s lived in the unincorporated community of Lambrook — a small Delta town…
Rebuilding from the Ground Up
Roughly 50 miles southwest of Amarillo, Texas, in the windswept plains of Deaf Smith County, a once-overlooked rural water system is slowly regaining its footing after years of disarray. Deaf Smith County Fresh Water Supply…
Tuning Up for Growth
A year and a half after launching his business, Scott Anthony is already bumping up against the limits of what one person can handle. His mobile mechanic shop, Anthony Truck Bus and Auto, hit the ground running on Jan. 1,…
Preserving the Past, Digitally
A small-town cemetery with deep roots in southeastern Oklahoma’s history is now one of the most precisely documented burial grounds in the region. A partnership between local preservationists and Communities Unlimited (CU)…
A Safer Home
Just outside the city limits of Mission, Texas — beyond the subdivisions and commercial corridors — the rural stretches of Hidalgo County tell a different story. In these quieter, unincorporated areas, many longtime…
Owner and Opportunity
After nearly five years of renting the storefront at 700 E. Harding Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, D’Cora Dotson is now the proud owner of the space where her business, D’Cora’s Custom Cakes, has grown into a local staple.…
Field Support
What started as a backyard garden rooted in family tradition has blossomed into a small farm business providing fresh produce year-round to rural Louisiana communities. Derek Moore, owner of Moorehill Farm and Garden in the…
Forging Ahead
In the face of political whiplash, halted contracts, and months of federal uncertainty, WSBZ Farms is celebrating a long-awaited win. The family-run farm, located just south of Little Rock on the border of Wrightsville, has…
Planting Seeds of Hope
At just 15 years old, Quinn Childress was living on Willow Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas, after being kicked out of his home. A local family took him in — and gave him more than just a roof over his head. They handed him…
Curated and Confident
When Ashley Gallon planned her own wedding in just six months — stress-free and fully designed by her — it confirmed something she had long suspected: she had a gift for creating memorable experiences. That…
Growth Through Infrastructure
Tucked along U.S. Highway 412 at the western edge of Paragould, in the heart of Greene County in Northeast Arkansas, Crowley’s Ridge College (CRC) is a small but steadily growing Christian liberal arts institution. Founded…
Water Reborn
The Wright-Pastoria Water Association, which serves more than 500 customers across the rural Arkansas Delta communities of Wright, Pastoria, Tucker, and Sherrill, has reached a milestone in its decades-long effort to provide…
Smart Surge
Since partnering with Communities Unlimited (CU), Brittany Scott, founder of SMART Reproduction in Jonesboro, Arkansas, has been on a mission to scale — and the results speak for themselves. Her company collects, freezes,…
Thrive or Struggle
In today’s ever-evolving business landscape, running a small business can feel like an endless juggling act. Between managing operations, keeping customers happy, handling finances, and staying ahead of the competition, it’s…
Beacon in the Backroads
Dr. Stephanie Mueller grew up in a small farm town in Southern Illinois, where she developed an early passion for healthy living. She earned her degree in Biological Science at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she…
Back from the Brink
When Elizabeth Yvette Jagneaux stepped into her role at the Reddell Vidrine Water District (RVWD) in Ville Platte, located in south-central Louisiana’s Evangeline Parish, the system was in chaos. Hired with just a day’s…
Leveled Up
Davis Vernon came from humble beginnings. Growing up, he didn’t have much, but when he was finally able to save enough to buy his first gaming system, a whole new world opened. Video gaming became a safe and engaging outlet…
Turning the Corner in Annona
When Marcella Dean took office as mayor of Annona — a small town in Red River County in northeast Texas — in late 2023, she stepped into a whirlwind. The town’s water system was unreliable. The sewer system had been…
Building a Community of Gamers
In the rural town of Gosnell, Arkansas — located in Mississippi County near the northeastern corner of the state, just outside Blytheville — Tachmonite Butler is on a mission to bring something different to his community: a…
Handles, Heritage, and Hope
History & HickoryIn Demopolis, a town in west-central Alabama’s Marengo County, located in the Black Belt region, lumber mills and the timber industry have long been a cornerstone of the local economy, shaping the area’s…
Becoming Royal
In Fredericksburg, Texas — a small city in the Hill Country of Gillespie County, about 80 miles west of Austin and 70 miles northwest of San Antonio — the residents of Royal Oaks Apartments have long faced serious water…
Owning the Glow-Up
In July 2023, Jasmine Wright opened Livi Facial & Beauty Spa in Conway, Arkansas. A licensed esthetician, Jasmine’s passion for skincare and empowering clients led her to leave her public-sector job and run her business…
The Engine Behind the Ministry
Nestled along the quiet shoreline of Center Hill Lake, Indian Creek Youth Camp has been a summer haven for generations of families in the town of Liberty, located in rural central Tennessee. With cabins that remain open for…
Breaking Through
When president Gwendolyn Tucker of RIX International first partnered with Communities Unlimited (CU) in early 2023, she was reeling from the loss of two major contracts — through no fault of her own. It was a tough setback,…
Reviving Linden
In the pine-covered hills of Northeast Texas, just off Highway 59, lies Linden — a small town with deep roots and a proud past. Once the beating heart of Cass County, Linden boasted thriving shops, historic architecture, and…
From Side Jobs to Seven Figures
Several years ago, Juan Cervantes was out of work, out of options, and about to become a father. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Amarillo, Texas, native found himself in a tough spot. “Unemployment had ended, and…
Milking Opportunity
Raphael DaSilva is no stranger to agriculture — especially the dairy industry. Growing up in Brazil, he learned the ropes of milking cows alongside his uncles. When he immigrated to the United States, he brought that…
Peace of Mind
In Jack, an unincorporated community in Coffee County, southeastern Alabama — not far from Dothan and about 80 miles south of Montgomery — Janie Hall has always considered her family’s well water to be a given: clean,…
A District Reclaimed
For decades, Jim Wells County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 (FWSD #1) faced overwhelming challenges: deteriorating infrastructure, failing septic systems, and a long-standing absence of wastewater services. Located in…
A Community Lifeline
Just outside Fredericksburg, Texas — a town known for its scenic vineyards, German charm, and skyrocketing real estate — sits a mobile home community many locals don’t even know exists. In Gillespie County, Bernhard Trailer…
Earning Stripes
When Eric Gray walked away from a grueling 70- to 100-hour workweek with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, he was looking for more than a career change — he was looking for a better life. With encouragement from…
Cleaning Up
Determined to build something stable for her family, Ali Alcaraz launched Pristine by Ali Cleaning Services, offering residential and commercial cleaning in the fast-growing Bentonville, Arkansas area. As her business…
Margin Mastery
Running a successful business isn’t just about making sales — it’s about managing what you spend to make those sales happen. That’s where operating costs come in. If you’re a business owner, understanding operating…
Clean Water at Last
For years, Ronnie Dalton of Coldwater, Mississippi — a small town of just over 1,300 residents in rural Tate County in the northwestern part of the state — lived without dependable access to clean water. Like many…
Red Oak Moves Forward
Tucked into the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, the Town of Red Oak sits at the junction of U.S. Highway 270 and State Highway 82, just 14 miles east of Wilburton and about 50 miles west of Poteau. Though small — with just…
Fiber Frontier
In Satartia, Mississippi — a tiny village of just 50 people along the Yazoo River — something once thought impossible is now becoming reality. The community is on track to receive high-speed fiber internet, a rare and…
Revitalization in Motion
In the heart of the Mississippi Delta — where grit runs deep and meaningful change takes time — a quiet but powerful transformation is underway. Since the fall of 2024, Communities Unlimited (CU) has been working…
Tower Triumph
In the windswept plains of West Texas, just off Interstate 20 and about 30 miles southwest of Abilene and 150 miles southeast of Lubbock, lies the City of Trent. With just under 300 residents, this rural town has long worked…
Driving Opportunity
In the tiny East Texas town of Pineland — where the population nears 900 and the timber industry fuels the economy — a powerful new partnership is putting opportunity in the driver’s seat. This summer, a brand-new Commercial…
Decades of Determination
BACKGROUND In Cherokee County, Oklahoma, several water systems rely on the City of Tahlequah as their sole source of water. This dependence has limited growth for some of these systems. A few systems have their own small…
Infrastructure in Action
In South Texas, the Military Highway Water Supply Corporation (MHWSC) delivers drinking water to more than 15,000 residents across over 50 colonias in southeastern Hidalgo and Cameron counties. Based in the small community…
Water Security
Located at the intersection of State Highway 28 and Historic Route 66, Chelsea, Oklahoma, sits just 47 miles northeast of Tulsa. Though small in size, the town’s vision is anything but. Chelsea is home to a growing…
Relief Realized
When Amanda Edwards saw a Facebook post shared by Linda Weatherford — a trusted friend, representative of the Dumas Housing Taskforce, and key partner and advocate of Communities Unlimited (CU) — she didn’t expect it would…
Power of Partnerships
The excitement is palpable as two years of hard work by the Housing Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) comes full circle. It all began in 2022, when CU partnered with come dream. come build. (cdcb), a non-profit housing…
Bridging Gaps
In Alabama’s Black Belt, the Dallas County Water & Sewer Authority (DCWSA) serves more than 1,200 water and 1,100 wastewater connections across the Selmont community, just east of the Alabama River near Selma.…
Clean Comeback
At the border of St. Landry and St. Martin Parishes in rural south-central Louisiana, United Water System, Inc. has quietly served as the backbone of water access for Arnaudville and nearby towns since 1971. What began as a…
Lithium Launchpad
A modest building off Highway 82 in a rural South Arkansas community may not look like the front door to the future — but that’s exactly what it has become. Smackover Lithium — a joint venture between Standard Lithium and…
A Vision for Rayville
In Rayville, Louisiana — a small town tucked along Interstate 20 in the northeastern corner of the state — Noel Lawson is pouring his energy, savings, and soul into something bigger than himself. Noel is the founder of…
Smokin’ Success
For the past seven years, Secondhand Smoke NWA has been serving up some of the best barbecue in Northwest Arkansas, blending old-school smoked meats with innovative plant-based options that have become fan favorites. Whether…
Overcoming Arsenic
White Deer Village Condominium Association, a nonprofit in Houghton Lake, Michigan, located in Roscommon County, has managed its community’s infrastructure for over 36 years. One of its most persistent challenges has been…
Keeping a Community Flowing
Hensley, Arkansas, is an unincorporated community in the central part of the Natural State, approximately 18 miles south of Little Rock. Maple Creek Farms Sewer and Improvement District, a platted subdivision in southeastern…
A Childhood Dream, A Lifetime of Care
Edward Hatch knew what he wanted to do with his life by the age of eight. His inspiration came from his grandfather’s best friend, Clarence Bowmen Sr., the town’s funeral director, who frequently visited the Hatch household…
A Home of Her Own
It starts with a porch light flickering on, a garden planted, a family settling in — and slowly, an entire neighborhood begins to thrive. In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the vision of homeownership is no longer just an aspiration.…
Stepping Out on Faith
For years, Alvin Davis spent his days managing a retail team, helping build profits for a major chain. But deep down, he knew he was meant to build something for himself. “I’ve worked in retail for over 35…
Milestone Brewed
In 2010, Jeff Phillips, a cross-country truck driver, decided to follow his dream and open Tamp & Grind, a coffee shop in the heart of downtown Alexandria, Louisiana. The timing was serendipitous, as the downtown area…
More Than Housing
In England, Arkansas — a small rural town with a population of just 2,800 — housing is more than just a place to live. It’s a foundation for stability, dignity, and community. Yet, for many low- and moderate-income families,…
Waldron Rises
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains near the Oklahoma state line, Waldron, Arkansas, is a small town in Scott County with a population of over 3,300 residents. As the county seat, it lies along U.S. Highway 71, a major…
Bungee Boom
In Fayetteville, nestled within Fiesta Square, is a gym unlike any other in Northwest Arkansas. Elevate Bungee Fitness, founded by Kayleigh Cooper, offers a unique low-impact, high-intensity workout experience that caters to…
Building Stronger Communities
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a long history of serving every county in Texas, with agents and specialists positioned to provide hands-on education and programs based on scientific research. Through a grassroots…
Fighting for Stability
Melville, a small fishing town of 746 residents in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, has faced decades of administrative and infrastructure challenges. Situated along the Atchafalaya River, the town struggled with incomplete…
Surviving Against Odds
Arkansas has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in the nation, with nearly 19% of its population affected, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report released in September 2024. The Arkansas Foodbank,…
Communities Unlimited Launches New GIS Loan Program to Support Mapping Projects
bnvRural communities often struggle to access critical Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping services, relying on grants or other funding sources that can take time to secure. To bridge this gap, Communities Unlimited…
Expanding Global Reach
For H.E. Lady Jiljuana J. Coleman, entrepreneurship has always been more than a professional aspiration—it has been a lifelong vision. “I’ve dreamed of owning my own consulting firm since I was a little girl,” she shared.…
Popcorn Power
When Communities Unlimited (CU) first connected with Tennessee Entrepreneur Lamus Rush III, he had recently opened a Memphis storefront for his gourmet popcorn business, Crave4 Gourmet Popcorn. CU’s Area Director Marnell…
SkillUp Workforce
After nearly three decades as a manager at a staffing agency, Erika Winfrey decided in October 2024 to take a bold step toward entrepreneurship by launching her own business, SkillUp Workforce, in Memphis, Tennessee.…
Rolling Forward
For Arkansas Entrepreneur Araceli Ochoa, launching NWA Rolling Video Games in December 2022 was a leap of faith—one driven by the desire for a flexible career and more time with her daughter, Victoria. Her mobile gaming…
Communities Unlimited Launches Housing Survey for Rural Communities in East Texas
Communities Unlimited (CU) is excited to announce the launch of a comprehensive housing survey designed to assist rural communities across East Texas in identifying housing needs and forming strategies. This initiative aims…
Communities Unlimited Launches “Our Delta” Home Improvement Loan Program to Support Eastern, Southern Arkansas Residents
In partnership with the King Foundation and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Communities Unlimited (CU) has launched the “Our Delta” Home Improvement Loan Program to address a critical lending gap for residents across…
Communities Unlimited Introduces Russ Garner as Director of Community Sustainability
Communities Unlimited (CU) has announced the promotion of Russ Garner as the new Director of Community Sustainability. With extensive experience in community development, Russ is well-positioned to lead efforts that…
Communities Unlimited Expands Housing Services to East Texas
Through a cooperative agreement with USDA Rural Development and in partnership with the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, the Housing Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) has announced its expansion into East Texas. This initiative…
Passion Project Turned Venture
In 2022, Brittany Johnson’s trip to Mexico City marked the beginning of a journey she didn’t initially anticipate. While visiting a local bookstore during her travels, Brittany was struck by the range of Spanish-language…
Connected Future
Bastrop County, Texas, a vibrant yet largely rural region located in Central Texas just southeast of Austin, has long faced significant challenges with internet access. Known for its pine forests, rolling hills, and the…
Securing the Future
In the neighborhood of Conroe Bay, located in Willis, Texas, in Montgomery County just outside of Houston, the hum of daily life depends on something many take for granted: clean, reliable water. The Conroe Water-Sewer…
A Dream Realized and Growing
When Communities Unlimited (CU) first introduced Mildred Smith from West Columbus, Mississippi, she had just taken a major step toward fulfilling her retirement dream. She had built a cozy, inviting cottage behind her home,…
Blending Resources for Lasting Impact
Telling the story of how Communities Unlimited (CU) collaborates with a community over two decades is no small task, and such is the case in White Hall, Alabama. CU first engaged with the town in 2004, helping address the…
Mapping a Path to Recovery
When an EF-4 tornado tore through Rolling Fork, Mississippi, located in Jones County, on March 24, 2023, it left behind catastrophic destruction. The town’s city hall, police station, county courthouse, post office, and…
Water Resurgence
In 2015, the Community Infrastructure Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) began its work with the Fords Valley & Hwy 278 Water Cooperative, a system serving the rural communities between Gadsden and Piedmont, Alabama, in…
Empanadas One 8: From Family Tradition to Business Triumph
Claudia Tomison and her daughter, Aranzazu Tapia, immigrated from Chile to the United States with a dream of building a new life in Lufkin, Texas. While they have embraced their American life, they’ve always held a special…
From Homeless to Hopeful
Jasmine Boyce couldn’t have imagined where she would be today. For nearly two years, she had no permanent home and lived on the streets of Texarkana, Texas. But life has a way of opening doors when least expected. Jasmine…
From Denial to Dream
Melnika Hale has always been passionate about helping children succeed. This dedication led her to earn an associate degree in early childhood education and a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the…
Loan Grown
Sarah L. Hebert, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), is pursuing her entrepreneurial dream of building a successful accounting practice in Youngsville, Louisiana. Specializing in tax preparation, financial planning, and…
Protecting What’s Beneath
Throughout the United States, an estimated 23 million people rely on private wells for their daily water needs. This number may not even include the amount of people that utilize private springs. In contrast, around 291…
Breaking Ground
JS&J Storage is charting a course toward innovation in renewable energy storage in Houston, Texas. Specializing in energy-efficient storage and handling cutting-edge Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), JS&J…
Rapid Results
Regaining compliance with state regulations can take small utilities years, depending on the source of the issue. West Point Utility District accomplished it in just six months. Call it untangling out of chaos. “We’re proud…
Mountain City Rises
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeastern Tennessee, Mountain City is a small town with a rich history and a resilient spirit. Within the heart of Appalachia as the county seat of Johnson County, this community of just…
Bridging The Digital Divide In East Texas
In the small unincorporated community of Buna, Texas, Evergreen Technology Solutions is addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the rural space today: access to reliable broadband. Founded by Chief Executive…
Strategic Blending For Growth
For nearly a decade, Communities Unlimited (CU) has partnered with Dumas, Arkansas, on community-led initiatives, helping the city turn its vision for growth into reality. This Delta community has become a model for how…
Dreams Funded
Jason and Kasey Young have launched Chef J’s Flavor Station, a new food truck serving the Tulsa, Oklahoma, community under their LLC, Forever Young Foodies. Specializing in chef-inspired Southern comfort dishes made from…
Bringing Asia to Arkansas
In Jacksonville, Arkansas, Kusina Cuisine, an Asian-Infusion restaurant, brings a unique blend of diverse flavors to the community. This new venture is the passion project of husband-and-wife duo, Jason and Arlyn Fox. Jason,…
Enhancing Disaster Preparedness
Groveton, Texas, the county seat of Trinity County, was founded in 1881 when the Trinity County Lumber Company established a sawmill in the area. The town takes its name from the groves of pine trees that dominate the…
Water Opportunity
For English Acres, water is the key to opportunity. In Jim Wells County, Texas, about six miles southwest of Alice, lies Coyote Acres, a small Colonia with fewer than 600 residents. Within this community is English Acres, a…
Road To Super Brand
A comic book-inspired culinary hotspot is redefining the breakfast, brunch, and lunch experience in Huntsville, Alabama. Superhero Chefs, a restaurant adorned with Marvel and DC artwork, serves up “wow-worthy”…
Driving Success
Joy Harvey has turned her passion for clean cars into Harvey’s Detail Connection in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With a full spectrum of vehicle detailing services, Joy serves both public and business clients, aiming to become Tulsa’s…
Turning The Page On Disaster
In late April 2024, severe storms brought flooding inside the Silsbee Public Library in Hardin County, Southeast Texas, causing significant damage to its children’s section. “We had to cut out sheetrock, rip up the…
Resilience, Collaboration
Drew, Mississippi, a small delta town of 1,927 in Sunflower County, has long faced challenges in maintaining and improving its municipal infrastructure. Yet, with collaboration, persistence, and a shared vision for progress,…
Pampered Pets
Groom Studio has brought a new level of high-end dog grooming services to Vidor, Texas. Owned by business partners Buck Hebb and Shaina Lafleur, the studio provides a full range of grooming and bathing services for dog…
Safeguarding Water, Protecting Communities
Across the United States, under the new Lead and Copper Rule, all water systems were tasked with identifying both system-owned and customer-owned service line materials by Oct. 16, 2024. This was a monumental task for all…
Community Cornerstone
In Clarksdale, Mississippi, Brandon Sims is a jack of all trades. Brandon is not only a licensed auto body repairman but also a locksmith, welder, and skilled in select upholstery fixes. His versatile skill set led him to…
Earle’s Young Visionary
Earle, Arkansas, is located in Crittenden County, in the eastern part of the state. It sits along U.S. Highway 64, approximately 28 miles west of Memphis, Tennessee. This small town of 1,768 people is part of the Arkansas…
Searcy County Part 3
Rural living is becoming increasingly attractive across the nation. The statistics show that 66% of Americans would consider moving to a rural area if telecommuting were an option. Searcy County, Arkansas, stands out as a…
Searcy County Part 2
Rural living is becoming increasingly attractive across the nation. The statistics show that 66% of Americans would consider moving to a rural area if telecommuting were an option. Searcy County, Arkansas, stands out as a…
Searcy County Part 1
Rural living is becoming increasingly attractive across the nation. The statistics show that 66% of Americans would consider moving to a rural area if telecommuting were an option. Searcy County, Arkansas, stands out as a…
Jewelry Journey
As a child, Chandra Ellerson often played in her mother’s jewelry box, trying on and admiring the glittering stones and metals. She encountered historical pieces of jewelry, hand-made with crude tools by people of the past…
