Fort Smith, Arkansas Named 2024 ‘Great American Defense Community’
For Immediate Release:
April 10, 2024
Fort Smith, Arkansas Named 2024 ‘Great American Defense Community’
Washington, D.C. – The city of Fort Smith, Arkansas, home to Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center (FCMTC) and Ebbing Air National Guard Base, is one of three communities across the country selected as a 2024 Great American Defense Community.
The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) announced the three selected communities in conjunction with USAA, the program’s official sponsor, at the Defense Communities National Summit earlier this month. The 2024 class also includes Elizabeth City, North Carolina and the Black Hills region in South Dakota.
"We are thrilled to celebrate Fort Smith as a 2024 Great American Defense Community," stated ADC President Karen Holt. "The foundation of our military's resilience lies within our communities, and Fort Smith, Arkansas serves as a prime illustration of how a community can support the mission.”
The Great American Defense Communities program was launched by ADC in 2016 to recognize and celebrate the communities and regions that support military installations for their exceptional commitment to improving quality of life for military.
“Fort Smith is humbled and extremely proud to be named as a Great American Defense Community by ADC,” said Tim Allen, President and CEO of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This region has a rich history of supporting the military, including Ebbing Air National Guard Base and the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center. With the addition of the Foreign Military Sales Pilot Training Program, we now stand in a select group of communities that are critically important to supporting our nation’s security at home and abroad.”
Communities are chosen through a competitive nomination process based on community building efforts, such as educational and employment opportunities, and support and collaboration with neighboring military installations.
About ADC
ADC is the connection point for leaders from communities, states, the military and industry on community-military issues and installation management to enhance knowledge, information sharing and best practices. With nearly 300 communities, states, regions and affiliated industry organizations as members, ADC represents every major defense community and state in the country. Visit defensecommunities.org to learn more. Facebook |LinkedIn |X
About USAA
Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking and retirement solutions and serves more than 13.5 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families. Headquartered in San Antonio, USAA has offices in eight U.S. cities and three overseas locations and employs more than 37,000 people worldwide. Each year, the company contributes to national and local nonprofits in support of military families and communities where employees live and work. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or X (@usaa), or visit https://www.usaa.com/.
# # #
Contact:
Mark Parrott
Communications Specialist
(202) 812-0917
mparrott@defensecommunities.org
The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) announced the three selected communities in conjunction with USAA, the program’s official sponsor, at the Defense Communities National Summit earlier this month. The 2024 class also includes Elizabeth City, North Carolina and the Black Hills region in South Dakota.
"We are thrilled to celebrate Fort Smith as a 2024 Great American Defense Community," stated ADC President Karen Holt. "The foundation of our military's resilience lies within our communities, and Fort Smith, Arkansas serves as a prime illustration of how a community can support the mission.”
The Great American Defense Communities program was launched by ADC in 2016 to recognize and celebrate the communities and regions that support military installations for their exceptional commitment to improving quality of life for military.
“Fort Smith is humbled and extremely proud to be named as a Great American Defense Community by ADC,” said Tim Allen, President and CEO of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This region has a rich history of supporting the military, including Ebbing Air National Guard Base and the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center. With the addition of the Foreign Military Sales Pilot Training Program, we now stand in a select group of communities that are critically important to supporting our nation’s security at home and abroad.”
Communities are chosen through a competitive nomination process based on community building efforts, such as educational and employment opportunities, and support and collaboration with neighboring military installations.
About ADC
ADC is the connection point for leaders from communities, states, the military and industry on community-military issues and installation management to enhance knowledge, information sharing and best practices. With nearly 300 communities, states, regions and affiliated industry organizations as members, ADC represents every major defense community and state in the country. Visit defensecommunities.org to learn more. Facebook |LinkedIn |X
About USAA
Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking and retirement solutions and serves more than 13.5 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families. Headquartered in San Antonio, USAA has offices in eight U.S. cities and three overseas locations and employs more than 37,000 people worldwide. Each year, the company contributes to national and local nonprofits in support of military families and communities where employees live and work. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or X (@usaa), or visit https://www.usaa.com/.
# # #
Contact:
Mark Parrott
Communications Specialist
(202) 812-0917
mparrott@defensecommunities.org
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