The city of Cabot, Arkansas, is undergoing a transformative period of growth and development, as highlighted in a recent presentation by Alicia Payseno, the Director of Economic Development, at the Cabot Elite Networkers meeting last Thursday. Payseno shared insights on several key projects and initiatives that are set to reshape the community’s economic landscape.
Sports Tourism
A major highlight of the city’s development efforts is the nearly completed sports complex, a state-of-the-art 128,000-square-foot facility. This complex boasts six basketball courts that can be converted into 12 volleyball courts or 18 pickleball courts, and two indoor soccer fields, which can also be utilized for baseball and softball training with retractable batting cages. Recently opened, this facility aims to position Cabot as a premier destination for sports tourism in the region, attracting tournaments and visitors from across the country.
“We are leading the way when it comes to sports tourism and what it looks like to recruit, not just at a city level or a region, but really as a region as in multi-states and across the country,” Payseno said.
Educational Advancements
In a groundbreaking move, Cabot is set to become home to a new branch of Lyon College’s School of Veterinary Medicine, the first veterinary school in Arkansas. This initiative includes the construction of a veterinary school that will provide unique educational opportunities and contribute significantly to the local economy. The collaboration with Lyon College will see the establishment of a veterinary surgery center within the city’s Animal Services Center, allowing for on-site spaying, neutering, and emergency surgeries for injured animals. The plan includes student enrollment by Fall 2025.
“We’re gonna have a surgical center that is actually operated by the city of Cabot, and we’re able to offer that to our residents as well at a much lower rate,” Payseno said. “There’s a huge deficiency in vets across the nation. If you don’t already have a vet established, and even getting into your vet is very difficult, we wanted to offer something really for those that’s more cost-effective and more readily available.”
The graduate school will be bringing students typically between the ages of 25 and 35 to Cabot, which will eventually bring an uptick in diverse housing options to the city, including apartments and townhouses.
“These are the 25 to 35-year-old students, who have already gone through their four years and are looking at, ‘Well, I think I need a house,’” Payseno said. “We’re going to start seeing some different types of housing that’s going to show up, especially in that area. It will not be student housing. It will be privately owned, and it will be through that school, and I’m sure there’s gonna be connections, but we won’t have dorms showing up.”
Infrastructure and Community Enhancements
Cabot’s voters recently approved the extension of a city-wide one percent sales and use tax in 2021, which has generated approximately $80 million for various community and economic development projects. These funds are being directed towards critical infrastructure improvements, including street and drainage enhancements and better equipment for the city’s police and fire departments.
“Everyone’s like, ‘So, when’s it gonna be built?’ Well, first of all, we got the money, and then we had to figure out where it’s gonna go, and then we had to figure out the design, and then we had to figure out the cost, and then we had to get construction going, and then we have to get it under construction, then we have to get it open,” Payseno explained. “So, there’s a lot of things that are coming up out of the ground now, two and three years later.”
Health and Housing Developments
Unity Health’s recent acquisition of 63 acres for a new hospital complex will bring over 750 jobs to the area. The city has secured nearly $2 million in federal grants to develop the necessary infrastructure for this site, including water, electric, and wastewater services. This project underscores the city’s commitment to enhancing healthcare access and creating job opportunities for its residents.
“We will probably be under construction by the end of this year, and into the end of next year,” Payseno said. “They are finalizing all of their plans for their hospital. They have downsized from a six-building model to I think a four-building model for phase one to start, and so we’ll probably start seeing some of that come through the end of 2025 pushing into 2026.”
Future Prospects and Challenges
Despite these exciting developments, challenges remain. Payseno mentioned the ongoing efforts to revitalize vacant properties, such as the old Kmart building, and to manage the city’s rapid growth sustainably. However, with a strategic plan in place and a collaborative approach involving city leadership and community stakeholders, Cabot is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory.
Conclusion
Cabot, AR, is emerging as a dynamic hub of activity and growth. From pioneering educational partnerships to state-of-the-art sports facilities and significant infrastructure improvements, the city is on a path to becoming a premier destination in Central Arkansas. As Payseno and other city leaders continue to foster a pro-growth environment, residents and businesses alike can look forward to a brighter, more prosperous future.
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