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Retirement & Relocation / Services / Harrison
One of the "Best Small Towns in America"
Located in the heart of the Ozarks, HARRISON, County Seat of Boone County, Arkansas, is a
community of approximately 13,000 residents who live, work and play in a city that has the
conveniences of an urban area with the benefit of small town friendliness. Harrison is 35
miles south of Branson, MO and 43 miles east of Eureka Springs, AR. It is nationally
recognized as one of the "Best Small Towns in America" with a downtown lake and a beautifully
renovated town square complete with hanging flower baskets and old-time whittlers relaxing on
the park benches.
Climate
The CLIMATE is moderate with four distinct seasons and favors outdoor activities. Each
season is special; from flowering springtime, through summer fun and colorful autumn to
exciting winter which offers both sunshine and snowfall. The average winter temperature is 45
degrees, and the average summer temperature is 92 degrees. Precipitation is usually well
distributed throughout the year. One or more snowfalls occur each winter, but the snow cover
usually only remains for a few days. Elevation is 1,359 above sea level.
Economy
The ECONOMY is strong, and unemployment is low thanks to diverse segments that are anchored
by a large manufacturing community. Wood products, die-casting, trucking, electronics, and
warehousing all play a key role. Agriculture, tourism and a growing retirement population all
play a large part in the booming Harrison economy.
Potential Labor Supply
The recruiting area covers a 30 mile radius, approximately 35-45 minutes driving time. The
area includes portions of the following counties: Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion, Newton,
and Searcy. The Civilian Labor Force (individuals eligible for employment) for this
recruiting area, totals 44,875 persons (March 1998).
Education
The PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM is fully accredited with four elementary schools, a middle school, a
Junior High and a Senior High. A broad curriculum includes music and sports. North Arkansas
College, offering a wide variety of courses and fields, provides POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.
In addition to traditional liberal arts classes, NAC has one of the leading RN and LPN Nursing
Programs in Arkansas. A full range of student activities is available.
Recreation & Sports
Many RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES are available in the area. Boone County has two
country clubs with golf courses and a racquet club. Five major lakes (Bull Shoals, Norfork,
Table Rock, Beaver and Taneycomo) and three major rivers (White, Buffalo and Kings) are close
by for fishing, boating and other water sports. City parks provide tennis and basketball
courts, picnic facilities, a walking trail, fishing, playground equipment and a municipal
pool. There are baseball, softball and soccer fields for league play. The Sports Complex
hosts annual sports tournaments, and the large multi-purpose Youth Center is a facility for
groups and organizations of all types and ages.
Clubs & Organizations
There are many diverse CIVIC, SERVICE AND SOCIAL CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS available in the
area. Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Business and Professional Women, Newcomers, League of Women
Voters, Senior, RSVP and Garden Clubs are available as well as VETERAN AND FRATERNAL
ORGANIZATIONS. The Ozark Arts Council was formed in 1996 as a non-profit organization to
promote and encourage the arts in Harrison. The O.A.C. is made up of seven arts-related
organizations: The Buffalo River Concert Association, The Harrison Art League, The North
Central Arkansas College Pioneer Players, The Theatre Company, The Twentieth Century Club and
The Woman's Book Club. The Lyric Theater on the Harrison downtown square was purchased by
the O.A.C. in 1999 and is being renovated for live performances. In this first year of
operation over 30 plays, concerts, youth events and community activities took place in the
theater. As funds become available and renovation is completed, a year-round schedule of
weekly events will be established.
Library
The BOONE COUNTY LIBRARY, located in Harrison, serves the 33,000 residents of Boone County.
Over 65,000 volumes in the collection provide a full range of materials that patrons normally
desire. As with any modern library, if an item is not in the collection, it can be obtained
by inter-library loan. Other facilities and services of note are the children's collection,
the large print collection, the genealogy collection, the small forms collection, Internet
access computers and meetings and program facilities. There is also a display area for
exhibits.
Health Care
The NORTH ARKANSAS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER in Harrison is a 174 bed fully certified medical
facility providing a wide range of hospital services. NARMC has 700 employees, 49 active
medical staff members, 33 consultant physicians and 24-hour emergency service with physician,
staff and ambulances.
Travel
TRAVEL is easy, because all of the major roads in Northwest Arkansas intersect in Harrison.
US Highways 62, 65 and 412 as well as Arkansas Highway 7 all come through the city. Harrison
is also accessible by COMMERCIAL AIR SERVICE at the BOONE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT. Airline
service is provided by Big Sky Airlines with daily flights to Dallas, Ft. Worth International
and St. Louis Lambert Field. Ground transportation is provided by AVIS rental car at private
and corporate travel providing fuel, catering and maintenance. The airport has the 4th
largest runway in the state with a runway length of 6,160. The airport has ILS, VOR, NDB,
and GPS approaches available.
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