Due to the renovation to city hall the offices will be temporarily relocated to 924 North Madden (old Foreman Muffler Shop). This move is effective January 13, 2012 until completion. We anticipate returning to our normal offices by late February or early March. Office hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. Phone numbers will be the same 870.542.7434 city hall 870.542.6234 water dept & 870.542.6101 fax.

We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause our customers & ask that you please be patient with us during this construction.

By Jud Powell Staff Reporter Little River News
Story reprinted by permission of Little River News

Foreman’s new recreational park will be located four blocks north of downtown and east of Hwy. 41 at the northwest edge of Foreman.

Officials started the physical portion of a new 43-acre recreation park in Foreman on Wednesday morning, Oct. 9, with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by State Sen. Barbara Horn, D-Ark., Teton Industrial Construction Company Civil Superintendent Jeff Henry, former State Rep. Ken Cowling, D-Ark., and Foreman Recreation Park Commissioner Teresa Woods,  as well as a number of other local community leaders.

Teton is one of several subcontractors that worked on the recent Ash Grove Cement plant expansion, and their donation is part of its community involvement initiative that seeks to give back to the communities in which they have been privileged to work.

“I have nothing but free time as far as this project is concerned,” Henry said.“I been with this project for over two months and the company has donated 5,100 concrete blocks for construction of restrooms, the concession stand and a multipurpose building at the park.”

Foreman officials have been very busy lately with several new projects.  One of the most exciting is the recent announcement that the city has obtained funds to develop approximately 40 acres on North Malden Street for a city park.  Foreman announces plans for new park!The new park project is the result of the efforts of several area individuals.  Special recognition is due State Senator Barbara Horn and former State Representative Ken Cowling who both worked diligently to help secure more than $400,000 for the project.  Total funds include a $220,000 grant from Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, a $48,300 grant from the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Program and a $150,000 grant from the State General Improvement fund.

The monies will be used to develop the land, which the city already owns, for use as the city's outdoor recreation area.  Along with beautiful landscaping and lots of trees, the new park will feature playground equipment, a picnic area and a baseball/softball field.  The addition of a second ball field for city use is particularly exciting as it is one of the requirements for hosting the annual state softball tournament.  Foreman's own Lady Gators have won the state tournament five years in a row, and city residents are eager to now be able to bid to host the competition that they have dominated for so long.

LITTLE ROCK, AR- Governor Mike Beebe and Department of Rural Services Director Butch Calhoun presented $165,985.97 to 20 rural communities selected for Fiscal Year 2011 Cycle 3 funding through the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Program at an awards ceremony on May 26, 2011 held at the Arkansas Rural Development Conference in Hot Springs.

In attendance were representatives receiving an Arkansas Rural Community Development Grant award on behalf of Foreman in Little River County. The City of Foreman received $11,787.50 to place a fence around the softball field located in the city park.

This year's conference, hosted by the Department of Rural Services and the Arkansas Rural Development Commission, was held May 24th - May 26th. 2011. Keynote speakers throughout the conference included Governor Mike Beebe, Secretary of State Mark Martin, and Senator Bill Sample. Also in attendance were over 60 state legislators and over 700 mayors, county judges, fire services personnel, state and federal agency representatives and local community leaders representing all corners of rural Arkansas. Our Rural Advocate of the Year is Bob Summerville with Arkansas Forestry Commission. Mr. Summerville was awarded with a plaque during the luncheon on Wednesday.

The Department of Rural Services works in partnership with the Arkansas Rural Development Commission to administer the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Programs in three cycles each year. Incorporated cities and towns and unincorporated communities in rural areas of less than 3,000 in population are eligible to apply for assistance through the mayor or county judge's office.

For more information about the Department of Rural Services and their grant programs contact Butch Calhoun at 1-888-RURAL-AR.