Top 10 Cities

THAT EXCELS The Small Town Greenwood Named Top 10 City STORY BY Scott Cutlip PHOTOGRAPHY BY Morgan Skaggs

In January, the website HomeSnacks (https:// www.homesnacks.net/best-places-to-livein-arkansas-122274/) , which combines information from the Census, FBI, and other sources to rank communities in the United States, published their report for the top 10 cities in Arkansas, with Greenwood listed as number 10 (a er being listed as number 5 in 2019). Criteria included jobs, housing, safety, education, and a ordability, among others. In addition, HomeSnacks ranked Greenwood the second safest city and the seventh cheapest in Arkansas. Additionally, the Safewise website (https://www.safewise.com/blog/ safest-cities-arkansas/), which also places Greenwood as Arkansas’s second safest city, lists Greenwood as having Arkansas’s lowest property crime rate. In October, 247wallst. com listed Greenwood as number 19 in the nation’s most a ordable places with the best schools.

We turned to some of the members of the Greenwood community to explain why Greenwood is a top 10 city.

Doug Kinslow Mayor of Greenwood

According to Mayor Kinslow, it’s the people who make Greenwood the special place it is, citing the city logo of “a great place to live” being changed “from a good place to live” was less about advertising than truth.

“Everybody that moves here for whatever reason,” Kinslow said. “We have a great school system. Some of the amenities in town: we have a lot of walking trails, things like that, that people are looking for. It’s a little bit slower than a bigger, larger city. People get along. We come together as a community. We take pride in what we do and in what we are, and we encourage people to come and see what we got and what’s going on.” Ronnie Deal Pastor of First Baptist Church

“I think a lot has to do with the culture in this town,” Deal said. “ ere’s a not a lot of distractions, so the emphasis can be put more on the home and more on what kids are doing. I think there’s a good commitment to support one another.” Tammy Briley Greenwood parks director

When interviewed about Greenwood’s Freedom Fest, Briley spoke about the overarching Greenwood philosophy: “It takes a village.  e whole area is involved. Rarely do we ever have anyone that says no.”

Both the Freedom Fest and the Christmas Trail of Lights are huge events not only for Greenwood, but for the surrounding areas, also.

Suzy Wilson Greenwood School District Assistant Superintendent

“Any time you talk to city leaders,” Suzy Wilson said, “they will say our city is successful because of the schools. Any time you talk to school leaders, we will say our school is successful because of our city, our strong community support, and leadership. So I think it’s a complete circle, with all of it working together.”

According to Wilson, the district is consistently in the top 10 academically in the state. Greenwood scores above the state and national average on ACT scores.

“We have a very strong philosophy that all kids need to be involved in something,” Wilson said.

“ ey need to feel like they’re part of something. So in all areas, from K through 12, we have extra clubs, extracurriculars, to  nd some type of niche for every child. It gives them an opportunity to be good at something they’re interested in and to interact with kids that have the same interests.”

Wilson also pointed out the high level sports activities that Greenwood participated in, from football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, cross country, and even esports. Phil Hicks Shelter Life Real Estate

“ ere is almost an indescribable pride amongst not only current citizens but also those that don’t live here anymore,” wrote Hicks. “Greenwood citizens tend to circle the wagons around our community. I’ve always called it ‘Bulldog Pride.’”

Hicks pointed out that because so many of the business owners in Greenwood have family there, it helps with the personal connection.

“Our businesses support everything in this town,” he wrote. “It blows me away the things that businesses do that the people are not aware of, and not just for the schools, but for everyone.” Jennie Walker Owner of J. Walker Studio

“I think that’s such a huge perk of a small town,” Walker said.. “ at’s what a small town is for--that community, and it is a huge thing. When we started, my church, community, my family and friends, they helped me keep my head above water and supported us in everything.”