Main Street Gentry Chamber of Commerce

Main Street Gentry

Chamber of Commerce

212 East Main Street / P.O. Box 642

Gentry, Arkansas 72734

479-736-2358 – Phone

479-736-2877 – Fax

Nestled in the beautiful Ozarks, along Arkansas Highways 12 and 59, Gentry is a growing and thriving community of more than 3,000 people.

Gentry boasts more than 160 businesses, including restaurants, bed and breakfast establishments, small industry/manufacturing plants, retail stores and service-oriented businesses. Gentry's largest employer is McKee Foods Corporation, maker of the famous Little Debbie^TM and Sunbelt^TM snacks. McKee foods celebrated 20 years of manufacturing in Gentry and dedicated a 40,000 square-foot expansion to the existing plant in 2002. The company thrift store is located on the corner of Arkansas Hwy 59 and Main Street. Visitors come from about a 100-mile radius to take advantage of the discounted cookies and cakes.

The town is governed under a mayor-city council plan. Wes Hogue is the Mayor of Gentry. The City Council members are Jim Kooistra, Janice Arnold, Janie Parks, Ruth Kuelper, Kyle Jordan, Clara Garrett, Kevin Johnston, and Mike Crawford. The City Clerk is Jo Ellen Martin and the Water Department Finance Manager is Melissa Smith. All city officials can be reached at (479) 736-2555. The City Council meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Gentry receives its water via the Benton and Washington County Water Authority, otherwise known as Two-Ton. Two-ton water gave rural communities in the two counties access to a reliable source for large quantities of water for municipal, agricultural and industrial application. The City of Gentry recently finalized a rural water system to serve areas outside the city limits.

The city also features 24-hour police and fire protection. The Police Department consists of eight full-time officers under the direction of Police Chief Keith Smith. The Fire Department (www.gentryfire.org) and First Responder program is housed in a new facility under the direction of Fire Chief Vester Cripps. All firemen have extensive training and the majority are EMT's.

Gentry is a progressive city with an active plan for the future. The goal is to reduce urban sprawl and preserve the local historic structures which Give Gentry its unique character.

In keeping with the city's design philosophy, an expansion for the city's rapidly-growing public library grew into a project to not only provide the library with the necessary room, but also construct a community center, museum area and small park, all by renovating an historic structure at the town's center. This unique project has provided modern facilities on the inside while preserving the building's original facade. Residents of Gentry passed a half cent sales tax in 2002 to fund the bond for the project. The Gentry Public Library is operated by a host of volunteers under the direction of librarian Darla Threet and the Library Board. The library offers books for children, youth and adults. It also features free books on tape, VCR and DVD movies, music CD's, and free wireless Internet. Faxes can be sent and copies can be made for a small fee.

Gentry is home of the Pioneers, the official mascot of the Gentry School District. The district is known for the quality of its education and modern facilities, with a new primary school building, middle school building with a high school/middle school cafeteria, and baseball/softball complex. The district encompasses Highfill and a portion of Cherokee City. Competitive sports programs include football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, baseball, fast-pitch softball, track and soccer. School programs feature special classes for the gifted and talented student, advanced placement courses and an active arts program at all grade levels. The school district provides strong support to community education and civic needs. Gentry is also home to Gentry Seventh-day Adventist Academy, Gentry Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School, Faith Christian School, and a Mennonite school.

Gentry has an active religious community with churches of many different affiliations, including Assembly of God, Baptist, Church of Christ, Mennonite, Seventh-day Adventist, United Methodist and others. Most denominations offer programs for youth and families as well as regular religious services.

For youth, the community features an active youth sports league, with football, basketball, baseball, softball and tee-ball teams. The Gentry City Park features basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, a walking trail, pavilions, and a playground. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy one of Gentry's most unusual features - the Wild Wilderness Drive-Thru Safari, owned and operated by theWilmoth family of Gentry. The wildlife park features many indigenous and exotic animals and birds, plus a petting zoo. It is one of Gentry's most popular attractions.