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 which has the conveniences of an urban setting with the benefits 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 beautiful town square complete with hanging flower baskets and old-time whittlers relaxing on the park benches.
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 winter which offers both sunshine and snowfall. The average winter temperature is 45 degrees and the average summer temperature is about 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.
Harrison's diverse ECONOMY is strong and unemployment is low thanks to a large manufacturing community. Wood products, die-casting, trucking, electronics and warehousing all play a key role. Agriculture, tourism and a growing retirement population provide added economic opportunities in the booming Harrison economy.
The PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM is fully accredited with four Elementary Schools, a newly constructed Middle School, a Junior High and a Senior High. A broad curriculum includes music and sports.
NORTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE is a comprehensive community college serving 4000 students annually. Fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Northark offers university transfer and technical associate degrees, one-year certificates, business and industry training, adult basic education/GED and non-credit community education courses. Northark has earned a reputation for excellence, especially for its nursing and allied health and information technology programs. Students may receive certain bachelor’s degrees without leaving Northark’s service area through partnerships that Northark has developed with other colleges and universities.
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.
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 six arts related member organizations: The Buffalo River Concert Association, The Theatre Company, The Harrison Art League, Northark Drama, The Twentieth Century Club and The Woman's Book Club. It owns and operates the historic Lyric Theater located on the downtown square. The Lyric hosts musicals, dramas, comedies, concerts, classic films and civic events throughout the year. For a complete schedule of current events go to www.thelyricharrison.org.
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 for patrons. The library also offers inter-library loans for additional items. Collections include the children's section, the large print section, the genealogy section, the small forms section. Internet access and meeting and program facilities are also available at the library.
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 800 employees, 49 active medical staff members, 33 consultant physicians and 24-hour emergency service with physician, staff and ambulances.
TRAVEL is easy because all of the major roads connecting Harrison to Northwest Arkansas intersect in Harrison. US Highways 62, 65 and 412 as well as Arkansas Highway Scenic 7 all connect to Harrison.
We are also accessible by COMMERCIAL AIR SERVICE at the BOONE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT. Airline service is provided by Seaport Airlines with daily flights to Memphis. Ground transportation is provided by Hertz Rental Cars at the airport. The airport has a full service fixed based operator on the field for all 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 ft. The airport has ILS, VOR, NDB and GPS approach.
