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State of the City Slated March 17

Written By: Rachel Putman

Fort Smith Mayor George McGill will deliver the 2025 State of the City Address at 6 p.m. Monday, March 17, in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.

Hosted by the ÆÞÓÑÉçÇø Democracy Project and the ÆÞÓÑÉçÇø political science program, the event is free and open to the public. McGill is expected to outline his vision for the city, discuss key initiatives, and provide updates on Fort Smith’s progress. City directors, Fort Smith officials, and community leaders are expected to attend and will be available to speak with residents after the address.

McGill, elected mayor in August 2018, is the first African American to hold the office in Fort Smith. A longtime public servant, he previously represented his hometown in the Arkansas House of Representatives for three terms, serving as deputy speaker pro tempore. He played a key role in Arkansas legislation, including giving the closing argument in support of separating the Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King Jr. holidays.

A U.S. Army veteran and former small-business owner, McGill has received numerous honors, including the Arkansas Municipal League Distinguished Legislator Award and the National Guard Association of Arkansas Joseph T. Robinson Award. He holds a Bachelor of Science in education and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed on the city’s and .