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EL DORADO FORWARD
A History of Success

From 2007 to 2015, El Dorado voters approved a general sales tax that provided crucial funding for city projects that would not have been possible without this dedicated revenue source. The El Dorado Forward plan played a key role in shaping and supporting these initiatives, driving progress and development throughout the community.

  • Increased job opportunities through investments in new manufacturing facilities

  • Constructed the El Dorado Conference Center and a student center at South Arkansas College

  • Modernized sidewalks, improved lighting, and enhanced streetscapes  

  • Developed the city’s website; GoElDorado.com

  • Enhanced city parks, playgrounds 

  • Contribution to the construction of the Murphy Arts District 

  • Construction of the MAD amphitheater, splashpad and playscape 

  • Constructed the Lions Club Municipal Golf Course clubhouse

  • Improved the city-owned

  • South Arkansas Regional Airport 

  •  Contract of services with the Chamber of Commerce for Economic Development

  • Acquired a Hands-On-Training (HOT) unit for South Arkansas College to train students for local jobs

  • Funded a $5 million renovation of the Municipal Auditorium

 

Partial list of projects 

EL DORADO WORKS
Ongoing Progress and Development

The momentum of community improvements continued under the El Dorado Works plan
from 2015 through 2025. With the extension
of the general sales tax, a newly established advisory board was tasked with evaluating and approving key projects aimed at fostering economic growth, enhancing public spaces, and improving the overall quality of life for residents. These investments have supported initiatives such as:

  • El Dorado Water & Sewer - Wastewater treatment and maintenance $6,836,000

  • Highway 82 Water Line relocation $1,906,717

  • Master Plan - Highway 82B $450,000

  • Street improvement $5,000,000 

  • Champagnolle Business Park $86,645

  • El Dorado High School-new Street to W Hillsboro $500,000

  • Restrooms - downtown (proposed) $65,000

  • Downtown TAP Funds $350,000

  • Economic Development contract - Chamber of Commerce $411,000

  • El Dorado City Kennels $594,341

  • City of El Dorado - Accounting software and Permitting Module $43,995

  • Water & Sewer Study $80,000

  • Mellor Park Mall Fire hydrants $15,000

  • Memorial Stadium improvements; ADA & Press box $737,355

  • Tailgate Pavillion – Stadium $194,702

  • Manufacturing Day $7,640

  • Tenth Street Drainage project $1,240,708

  • South Arkansas College Advanced Management Training $145,861

  • El Dorado Historic District Commission $10,000

  • Citywide Severe Weather Sirens replacement $225,950

  • El Dorado Fire Department Training Facility $200,000

  • El Dorado Police Department - training and cameras $39,864

  • Lions Club Development - walking trail overlay and water fountains $366,200

  • Lions Club - Basketball Courts, picnic tables, rest rooms $81,080

  • Lions Club Golf Course – lawn and maintenance equipment $90,800

  • El Dorado Parks & Playgrounds - Wi Fi, BBQ grills $263,036

  • Union Co. Recreation Complex - Phase 1, parking lot, lights $3,593,273

  • Playscape contract – Murphy Arts District $1,100,000

  • Fencing and other improvements Mitchell Park and Lions Club $26,851

  • Pickleball Courts Mellor Park - lighting, fencing, resurfacing $369,983

  • New marquee sign Municipal Auditorium $86,922

  • Parking lot resurfacing Municipal Auditorium $237,000

  • El Dorado Festival & Events $6,292,705

  • Utility and infrastructure - Murphy Arts District $422,341

  • Main Street El Dorado - landscaping, planters, sound system $111,289

  • South Arkansas Expo Center $3,696,000

  • UCAPS - Trap-Neuter-Release $10,000

  • Tree Planting Project $3,125

  • US Census - advertising $5,000

  • El Dorado Greenway grant $200,000

  • Rock Island Greenway - project development trail system $5,000

  • South Arkansas Regional Airport - Runway rehab, land acquisition, $911,000

  • South Arkansas Regional Airport - Terminal rehab, new roof, sign $1,049,920

  • South Arkansas Regional Airport - Terminal (grant match AHPP) $105,080
     

This is a compiled listing of approvals from the El Dorado Works Committee dating back to 2015.
The unaudited information is provided to the best of the El Dorado Wins Committee’s knowledge.

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