The City of Jonesboro continues to earn statewide and national recognition for its leadership, innovation and inclusive growth. For years, Jonesboro has been consistently acknowledged for its forward-thinking, collaborative spirit and commitment to enhancing quality of life for all residents. 2024: A Banner Year for Citywide Excellence Jonesboro was named the 2024 Trendsetter City of the Year in Diversity and Inclusion by Arkansas Business, celebrating a citywide commitment to equity, opportunity and access for all. Award-winning initiatives included: • Project SEARCH Arkansas and Project CARE job programs for disabled adults • The city’s first communication board at Miracle League Park • An inclusive and forward-thinking Parks Master Plan In addition, Jonesboro earned a 2024 Honorable Mention in Technology and Security, recognizing: the E911 Department; the innovative Real-Time Crime Center; emergency tools like Text-to-911 and CodeRED. These honors build on a legacy of past Trendsetter Awards: • 2023 Trendsetter Award for Infrastructure and Water, recognizing strategic investments in sustainable planning and city infrastructure • 2022 Trendsetter City of the Year in Education & Workforce Development, recognizing groundbreaking efforts to prepare a future-ready workforce • 2022 Honorable Mentions: in Technology and Security for the Real-Time Crime Center; in Tourism Development Creative Culture for the Jonesboro Shooting Sports Complex Citywide and Regional Leadership in 2024 City officials and institutions were honored throughout 2024 in recognition of their contributions to the community and state: • Jonesboro Municipal Airport: 2024 Airport of the Year by the Arkansas Division of Aeronautics • Mayor Harold Copenhaver: Mayor of the Year by the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police as the first in city history • 2024 American Planning Association Planning Award Plan of the Year (population 30, 000+) from the APA Quad State Conference • Northeast Arkansas Regional Transportation Planning Commission (Metropolitan Planning Organization) earned the 2024 National Award for Outstanding Overall Achievement (non-Transportation Management Area MPO category). Parks & Recreation Department garnered four statewide honors from the Arkansas Recreation & Parks Association: • Trail of the Year Craighead Forest Park (Natural Surface) • Tourism Program of the Year African American Cultural Center • Sports Management Program of the Year Jonesboro Shooting Sports Complex • Lifetime Achievement Award Larry Jackson, 45-year parks supervisor Celebrating Local Champions and Civic Engagement Several local residents and organizations were recognized by the Craighead County NAACP in 2024: • Nonprofit of the Year Dr. Charles Coleman’s Fisher Street Community in Action • Unsung Hero Award Roger McKinney, African American Cultural Center Additional honors included:.
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