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 north-south corridor connecting the area to Fort Smith and Texarkana. Surrounded by rolling hills, dense forests, and waterways, Waldron is a gateway to outdoor recreation in western Arkansas. 

Despite its scenic setting, Waldron has faced challenges common to rural communities — aging infrastructure, a shortage of housing, and the need for economic growth. But rather than waiting for change, Waldron took action. Since 2020, the town has partnered with Communities Unlimited (CU) to tackle these issues head-on, leading to infrastructure improvements, business revitalization, and an innovative workforce housing initiative that is already reshaping the community’s future.  

Much of CU’s work in Waldron has been supported by the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI), which funds technical assistance for capacity-building in rural areas, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Solid Waste Management Grant Program, which has helped address waste tracking and disposal challenges. CU’s Area Director of Program Operations, Michelle Viney, on the Community Sustainability Team, has done the heavy lifting with Waldron. 

A New Calling 

For Mayor David Millard, serving Waldron is more than a job — it’s a calling. After 32 years in law enforcement, including a long tenure as police chief, he initially planned to retire and spend time with his grandkids. But in 2019, Millard felt led to continue his service in a new role. 

“Politics wasn’t something I was really interested in,” he said. “But I felt like the Lord led me here.” 

Under Millard’s leadership, Waldron has made strides in improving its infrastructure and public spaces. 

A key moment in Waldron’s transformation came when the city joined CU’s WealthWorks training and worked with Michelle — a program designed to help rural communities identify and capitalize on their existing strengths. Through this process, local leaders prioritized workforce development, business expansion, and housing as the pillars of Waldron’s revitalization. 

“Michelle has kept me excited about what’s happening in our town,” Millard said. “She helped us think about what we needed to do to attract businesses and new residents.” 

Enhancing Infrastructure & Walkability 

One of the most transformative takeaways from CU’s guidance was the importance of walkability. Waldron has since expanded its sidewalk network and enhanced its downtown area, making the town more inviting to both residents and visitors. 

“If you look at Main Street now, it looks completely different than it did a few years ago,” Millard said. 

Addressing Housing Needs Through Workforce Training 

One of Waldron’s most impactful initiatives — and a testament to its innovative spirit — is its workforce housing project, a collaboration between Waldron High School’s construction trades class and CU. This hands-on initiative not only gave students real-world construction experience but also helped tackle the town’s urgent need for affordable housing. 

For years, Waldron has struggled with housing shortages, making it difficult to attract and retain teachers and other essential workers. Recognizing this challenge, Waldron Public Schools Superintendent Daniel Fielding saw an opportunity when the family of Eddie Harrison, a beloved former teacher and school board member, donated his home to the district after his passing. The generous gift held promise, but local leaders weren’t sure how to proceed. 

That’s where Michelle stepped in. She played a pivotal role in shaping the project, guiding discussions, and helping stakeholders explore potential solutions. Through these conversations, a vision took shape: students in Waldron High School’s construction trades program would renovate the home, turning it into a modern, livable space while gaining invaluable skills in the process. 

“This house was originally a two-bedroom, one-bath,” Fielding said. “Now, it’s been transformed into a three-bedroom, two-bath home with an upstairs space.” 

The transformation was led by construction trades instructor Chris Allen, who drew on his background as a homebuilder to mentor students through every stage of the renovation. 

Beyond construction skills, the project introduced students to real estate and property development. A local real estate agent, donating her time, is preparing to put the house on the market, ensuring that proceeds from the sale benefit the school district. The funds will support future workforce training opportunities, including potential scholarships for students interested in trade school or real estate careers. 

Fielding hopes this is just the beginning. 

“I’d love for this not to be a one-and-done,” he said. “We may not always have a house donated, but we could look at building something smaller on-site at the school. Our community’s health and our school’s health go hand in hand.” 

He added with a smile, “We think we’ve got a house that’s going to make a great home for someone. And we were able to get it done in just over two years. Not bad for a bunch of kids.” 

Modernizing Water, Wastewater, & Solid Waste 

Along with housing and workforce development, Waldron has made progress in upgrading its infrastructure. CU played a role in modernizing the city’s water and wastewater system through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping — a long-overdue update that is making maintenance and repairs much more efficient. CU GIS Coordinator Don Becker and Project Manager Trent Neathery were involved in the mapping fieldwork, which took place in April 2022. Additionally, CU provided Waldron with a Community Asset Map in February 2021, created using public data sources, and offered training on how to manage the product. 

“Our maps were either missing or completely outdated,” said City Superintendent Brandon Nelson. “CU helped us digitize about three-fourths of our system, and we’re continuing to work on it.” 

Michelle has also worked with Waldron over the last year to improve its solid waste management system. Before, the city had difficulty tracking its dumpsters and ensuring they were properly serviced. CU introduced a digital tracking system, assigning each dumpster a number and physical address to monitor its lifespan, condition, and usage. 

“Now, if there’s an issue, we know exactly who the dumpster belongs to and whether it needs to be repaired or replaced,” Nelson said. “This system is helping us move into the 21st century and move away from relying on paper records.” 

A Future of Growth & Opportunity 

As Waldron builds on its progress, Mayor Millard sees the town’s future getting brighter every day. 

“I feel like more businesses are on their way here. Our town is getting better all the time, and I want to attract more people to come live in Waldron.” 

Nelson echoes that sentiment, emphasizing the impact of CU’s support. 

From entrepreneurship and infrastructure to workforce development and housing, Waldron is proving that small towns can make bold strides toward sustainability and prosperity through community-led initiatives.