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 Delta region known for its rich agricultural history. Earle has gained national attention recently in an attempt to rewrite its narrative under the leadership of its 20-year-old mayor, Jaylen Smith.

At just 18 in 2022, Smith made history as he became the youngest African American mayor ever elected in the United States. He captured national attention through appearances on platforms like CBS News, ABC News, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and even visited the White House where he met Vice President Kamala Harris. Yet, beyond the spotlight, Mayor Smith is a leader deeply rooted in his community’s struggles and dedicated to its revival. Smith’s journey to leadership was inspired by his time in high school student government.

“Being part of that organization allowed me to see the real needs within our community,” he said. “It made me realize that a community can only flourish if the people from that community invest in it. That thought drove me to step up.”

This conviction led him to stay in Earle rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere, focusing on creating positive change where it matters most — at home.

“I wanted to make a difference right here in Earle, Arkansas,” Mayor Smith said.

Communities Unlimited (CU) is also working to make a meaningful impact in Earle by collaborating with Mayor Smith and city leaders to secure funding for essential cybersecurity equipment to upgrade its water system. This initiative is part of a comprehensive effort to tackle the city’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges.

A Vision for Infrastructure and Growth

Earle has faced decades of neglect in its water infrastructure, a challenge Mayor Jaylen Smith immediately began to tackle upon taking office.

“Without strong infrastructure, it’s impossible to provide a good quality of life or help the community thrive,” Smith said. “When I stepped into this role, I found a foundation to build on, but it needed to be reinvented and reimagined. Decades of neglected infrastructure — over 40 years of problems — had never been properly maintained or upgraded. My goal was to ensure our water infrastructure met state regulations and policies. We’ve worked hard to eliminate poor practices and introduce new strategies and visions for our water system.”

Smith first connected with the Environmental Services Team at CU shortly after being elected mayor of Earle. It began with a text message from then-Arkansas State Coordinator Brad Jarrett, who, in January 2024, assigned CU Community Environmental Management Specialist Deborah Brown to support the community of Earle. Jarrett has since become CU’s Central Regional Area Director.

Brown and Jarrett stayed in close contact with Mayor Smith, and their work with Earle began to take shape in May when they visited the city to assess its critical needs and outline a plan of action. Since then, CU has provided extensive technical assistance, including helping Earle apply for a Cybersecurity Equipment funding grant and conducting a comprehensive rate study. With approval from the city board, CU reviewed financial documents, resolved sanitary survey violations, and continued the rate study to ensure compliance with Arkansas regulations.

CU and the city applied for a cybersecurity grant through the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC). Earle is looking to replace over 600 water meters, implement a new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, and upgrade its computer software with an estimated cost of over $360,000 for the project.

While funding challenges have delayed some projects, progress is underway. New digital water meters have been ordered, though not yet installed, and there are plans to incorporate a SCADA system when funding becomes available.

The new meters will eliminate manual readings, reducing errors and improving efficiency. “Right now, human error can lead to mistakes like misreading’s or undetected leaks, which can cause issues for weeks,” Earle water operator Kevin Love said. The digital meters will send daily updates directly to the office and alert customers via an app if a leak is detected, allowing for faster response times.

The SCADA system, once funded, will provide real-time monitoring of the water system, enabling operators to address problems like lift station failures before they escalate. “It would give us the ability to respond immediately rather than discovering an issue too late,” Love said.

Though modernizing infrastructure can meet resistance, Love views these changes as vital for Earle. “People are used to the old way of doing things, but this is about improving communication and making the system more efficient,” Love said. “It’s a necessary step forward.”

Earle’s outdated sewer infrastructure has also been a priority, with over half a million dollars secured for pump replacements to prevent backups into residents’ homes. Love, who has worked closely with CU and the city, acknowledged the challenges of addressing such a long-neglected system.

“The main challenge is the old infrastructure for water and sewer,” Love said. “It needs to be updated, but the city doesn’t currently have the funds to fix everything at once.” Despite these hurdles, Mayor Smith has been instrumental in fostering progress, emphasizing open communication to help residents understand the importance of these changes.

Mayor Smith emphasized the importance of this initiative as a critical part of Earle’s strategic plan. While the city awaits updates on the grant application, Smith remains optimistic about the progress being made. “This progress represents the kind of positive change we’re working toward.”

Resilience Amid Challenges

Despite his vision and determination, Smith has faced significant opposition, particularly from the city council. However, he remains undeterred.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in moments of challenge and controversy,” Smith says, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “That mindset keeps me going because I understand that, as a young person, growth doesn’t happen in comfort or ease. True development comes from navigating challenges and facing difficult situations head-on. That perspective not only keeps me grounded but also fuels my motivation to keep pushing forward every single day.”

Smith’s leadership style is characterized by open communication and a commitment to collaboration. He actively engages with state representatives, senators, and local leaders to secure funding and resources for Earle.

“Mayor Smith is young and determined to make improvements,” Love said. “His willingness to go the extra mile has made a big difference.”

Beyond Infrastructure: Building Community

While infrastructure is a priority, Smith’s vision extends to other areas vital for Earle’s growth. The recent opening of a Dollar General Market marked a milestone, addressing the community’s need for accessible fresh food. Smith envisions the establishment of a farmer’s market. However, local producers are limited, so Brown referred Mayor Smith to work with CU Healthy Foods Coordinator Brenda Williams.

Education is another cornerstone of Smith’s mission. “Our school is the heart of this community,” Mayor Smith said. From advocating for state support to creating extracurricular programs and trade opportunities, Smith is committed to empowering Earle’s youth.

“I want kids in Earle to grow up saying, ‘This community gave me the opportunity to be the best I can be.’”

A Partner in Progress

CU has been a steadfast partner in Earle’s journey, providing technical expertise, strategic planning, and resources.

Added Brown, “Working with the City of Earle deepens the level of grace to those who are in the trenches daily, grappling with the vicissitudes of leadership. Mayor Smith reminds me of my “why” and what keeps me grounded in serving overlooked and underserved communities.”

Jarrett shared Brown’s sentiments and highlighted his collaboration with Mayor Smith. At the mayor’s request, he has participated in joint meetings with the Superintendent of Schools and other nonprofits, working together to advance economic development initiatives in the city.

“My experience working with Mayor Smith and the City of Earle has helped me have a greater motivation for small, rural communities,” Jarrett said. “Seeing the energy of Mayor Smith has fueled my desire and efforts to see more small communities in rural spaces achieve prosperity.”

Through partnerships like the Thrive Initiative and the Rural Alliance, Earle is gaining access to broader opportunities thanks to the Thriving Communities Program, including housing development and investor connections. Dr. Kristy Carter from Thrive has been pivotal in these efforts, opening doors for the city to reach its potential.

Hope for the Future

Mayor Smith’s leadership and CU’s support are transforming Earle into a model for resilience and innovation in rural America. With a focus on infrastructure, community engagement, and strategic partnerships, Smith is building a foundation for lasting progress.

In Earle, Arkansas, hope is more than an ideal—it’s a reality being built, one strategic plan and one partnership at a time.