Now, in March 2026, the picture is changing.

The work is far from finished, but the momentum is real. Conversations have turned into
visible projects, and residents are beginning to see renewed energy. Local leaders are
planning not just for recovery, but for growth — especially as lithium development
near Lewisville promises to bring hundreds of jobs and reshape the region’s future.
That anticipated growth has sharpened the community’s focus on what must happen
now: housing, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, digital access, and quality-of-life
improvements.

Mayor Ethan Dunbar said the community has moved from “life support” to a more stable
place — “still in ICU, but we’re stable, breathing on our own, and there’s hope on the
horizon.” He pointed to lithium activity south of town as both an opportunity and a
responsibility. For Dunbar, that means preparing now — building housing, strengthening
infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and revitalizing downtown — so Lewisville
can benefit from new jobs rather than lose them to surrounding areas.

That sense of progress is being felt beyond City Hall. Art gallery owner Jana Crank has
noticed more activity around town. Developer and community leader Akili Moses-Israel
said Lewisville has moved from the dreaming stage into implementation. Together,
those perspectives reflect a community beginning to see revitalization take shape.

Building Momentum Downtown

CU’s Community Sustainability work has helped create much of the connective tissue
behind Lewisville’s recent progress.

DeAnna O’Malley, CU Area Director for Field Operations, has worked alongside local
leaders to support downtown revitalization, community events, beautification efforts, and
long-term planning. Early efforts focused on listening and identifying local assets before
evolving into projects that built local buy-in.

O’Malley said the work began with small but intentional steps — community
engagement, volunteer-building, and downtown walk-and-talks that helped residents
define what they wanted to see. Those conversations helped spark larger action,
including the purchase of three downtown buildings and a clearer vision for the
corridor’s future.

Dunbar said these visible efforts matter in a town where people had grown used to
inactivity. Even small events and improvements help shift mindset, giving residents a
reason to return downtown and engage with their community.

That momentum is closely tied to Akili Moses-Israel, who has become a leading force in
Lewisville’s revitalization. Through Ujamaa Endeavors LLC, she purchased three
downtown buildings with plans to modernize them and create space for new
businesses. Her vision includes shared commercial space, retail, and a café or coffee
shop that brings people downtown.

Moses-Israel said her goal is to help Lewisville become a place where people can live,
work, shop, and build something of their own — especially as growth pressures
increase.

Preparing Local Businesses

That downtown vision is being supported by CU’s Entrepreneurship Team. A
December workshop brought together residents with ideas ranging from food and retail
to crafts and services. Additional workshops are planned for April as CU continues
helping entrepreneurs explore what it takes to start or grow a business in Lewisville.

Dunbar said the community needs more everyday businesses — places to eat, shop,
and gather — to support both residents and incoming workers. Preparing now will help
keep more economic activity local.

Preparing the Foundation for Growth

As Lewisville looks ahead, infrastructure readiness has become critical.

CU Community Infrastructure Consultant Cherub Alford has worked with the city on
its water and wastewater issues, including a rate study and asset management —
supporting system clarity, long-term planning, and financial sustainability. This work
helps the city better understand its systems and prepare for future demand.

Dunbar emphasized that these improvements are essential. If Lewisville hopes to
benefit from growth, it must be ready to support homes, businesses, and services. He
also noted that CU’s involvement has helped open doors to broader funding
opportunities — including a federal appropriation secured with support from Arkansas
Senator John Boozman’s office.

After connecting with a field representative, the city submitted a $4.8 million request to
upgrade its water system and replace sewer lines. Earlier this year, Lewisville was
approved for $3.8 million.

Public safety has also improved. With CU’s assistance, Lewisville secured USDA
Community Facilities funding for a new police vehicle. Police Chief Victor Rose said the
truck will be a major asset for the department.

That support extended further through a new K9 program. Assistant Chief Daniel
Simmons said the department had wanted a K9 for years, but the opportunity came
through CU connections and funding from Trust for Civic Life — adding a critical
resource that Simmons said the city could not have developed on its own.

Expanding Access and Opportunity

Lewisville’s preparation also includes digital access.

CU Broadband Technical Assistance Provider Ali Milligan has supported planning and
implementation efforts, including a digital opportunity plan and upcoming projects
focused on public Wi-Fi downtown and digital literacy classes through the library,
covering skills like email, online safety, and smartphone use.

Moses-Israel, president of the county broadband alliance, said the goal is simple:
ensuring residents have access to the same tools and opportunities as anyone else.

Helping Families Improve Homes Now

CU’s lending work is also making an impact at the household level.

Through the Home Improvement Loan Program, CU has made 10 loans in Lafayette
County — six in nearby Stamps and four in Lewisville — helping families complete
needed repairs.

CU Consumer Loan Officer Jesse Saldana said the program provides affordable,
accessible financing for home improvements. In Lewisville, loans have supported
roofing, bathroom repairs, and other upgrades that improve safety and quality of life.

That impact is clear in the experience of Margaret Hayes of Stamps, who used her loan
to repair her kitchen. She said the process was straightforward, the payments fit her
budget, and the repairs made a meaningful difference for her family.

A Framework for Rural Development

What’s happening in Lewisville reflects coordinated support across multiple program
areas — including community sustainability, entrepreneurship, infrastructure,
broadband, and lending. This approach brings together multiple efforts, allowing them to
support one another and contribute to progress across the community.

For Mayor Dunbar, that partnership helps Lewisville believe in itself again. For Moses-
Israel, it creates pathways for opportunity. And for Chantell Dunbar-Jones, part of the
city council and involved with community development, it marks a shift from simply
surviving toward building something stronger.

“It’s lifechanging,” Dunbar-Jones said. “It enabled us to go from life support to critical
care. Communities Unlimited, the services and resources they have provided, has been
invaluable. We can’t put a price on it. Communities Unlimited has been a vital part of
our journey in every aspect.”