The Arkansas Black Mayors Association (ABMA) will host a series of community meetings to publicly present their project options component of the planning for watershed improvements in 14 areas throughout southern and eastern Arkansas beginning Wednesday, July 17 through Thursday, Aug. 1. Attendees can expect to have an open discussion about the variety of possible strategies (and their impact) to be considered for mitigate flooding in their respective areas. The findings from these planning discussions will be utilized to draft the final comprehensive plan. The project options were developed after each community provided feedback during the first phase of the Watershed Improvement Project.
“We are pleased with the progress the watershed project is making,” Frank Bateman, ABMA executive director, said. “This initiative emphasizes our member mayors’ and the federal government’s commitment to equitable access to resources for those impacted by flooding as well as creating more sustainable communities. We strongly encourage the public to participate at these upcoming meetings to hear firsthand about the possible solutions to flooding.”
Watershed improvement plan presentations are listed below:
July 17 – Camden | 5 p.m.
Camden City Hall
206 Van Buren St NE, Camden, AR 71701
Eudora | 5 p.m. – GC John Dora Community Center
199 Swanigan Street, Eudora, AR 71640
Wilmot | 6:30 p.m. – Wilmot Community Center
2764 Hwy 165 South Wilmot, AR 71676
July 18
Pine Bluff | 5 p.m. – Pine Bluff Convention Center
1 Convention Center Dr, Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Altheimer | 5 p.m. – Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church
401 N. Elm, Altheimer, AR 72004
July 23
Forrest City, Madison, Haynes and Marianna | 5 p.m.
Forrest City Civic Center
1335 N. Washington St, Forrest City AR 72335
July 24
Helena and West Helena | 5 p.m. – Central High School
103 School Road, West Helena, AR 72390
July 25
Hughes and Jennette | 5 p.m. – Hughes Community City Center
202 N. Broadway, Hughes, AR 72348
Turrell | 5 p.m. – William R. Golden Community Center
87 Third Street, Turrell, AR 72384
July 30
El Dorado | 5 p.m. – El Dorado City Hall Council Chambers
204 N West Ave, El Dorado, AR 71730
July 31
Lewisville and Stamps | 5 p.m. – Agriplex
7 Agriplex Drive, Lewisville, AR 71845
August 1
Dumas | 5 p.m. – Dumas Community Center
18 Belmont St. Dumas, AR 71639
For more information about each of the watershed projects visit abmawatershedproject.com/projects. About Arkansas Black Mayors Association Established in 1972, The Arkansas Black Mayors association is a non-profit, charitable, and educational organization whose primary purpose is to 1) promote and develop programs to improve educational, economic, health and social levels of citizens residing within the respective jurisdictions served by the members; 2) enhance the quality of life for the residents of the municipalities served by the membership; and 3) provide a mechanism for cooperation and the exchange of ideas among the members in areas of common concern and interest. Currently, there are 58 Arkansas Black Mayors serving over 441,000 citizens throughout the state of Arkansas.
