GOSHEN, Ark. — The City of Goshen has scheduled public information meetings after announcing a planned annexation initiative to expand the city.
The city's website describes the plan as "a significant development poised to reshape the community landscape and governance of Goshen and its surrounding areas."
The project will see Goshen absorbing nearby unincorporated lands into city limits, which it says will streamline services and improve infrastructure and urban planning.
Goshen said the annexation project comes from a need to address the area's growing population and to ensure that people in outlying areas are served properly and equitably by municipal services.
The city said that current Goshen residents and residents brought into city limits by the annexation will be positively affected.
"By expanding the city limits, Goshen can optimize resource allocation, reduce administrative fragmentation, and implement uniform zoning regulations that promote sustainable development," the city said. "As new Goshen residents, you will experience and partake in enhanced public services, better-maintained roads, additional city services, and our beautiful 113-acre Mill Branch Park."
Additionally, the city said that a new ward would be created, with two new seats added to the city council by residents in the annexed area.
Goshen said it hopes the annexation will attract new businesses and create economic growth and new job opportunities.
The city will host multiple information meetings, the first of which is at the Goshen Community Building on Aug. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The city said another meeting will be held before November, and that residents will be notified once a date is confirmed.
Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact Goshen City Hall at 479-442-9128 or at cityhall@cityofgoshenar.net.
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