Dyer is a“ bedroom community” located a few miles east of the junction of Interstates 40 and 49 in Crawford County, Arkansas, according to mayor, Robert Porter. Porter assumed the role of part-time mayor of Dyer in January 2023.

“ We stand out by not

standing out in a lot of ways,” Porter said of the city.

Dyer is named for the first family to own land where the city was later incorporated in 1883. The population of Dyer was listed at 797 residents in the 2020 U. S. Census, Porter said.

Chris Keith, Crawford

County judge, called Dyer“ a growing little town.” In Keith’ s mind, Dyer is known for continuously working to upgrade its roads program. On projects such as roadwork, if the city will supply the materials, the county will supply the labor, Keith said.“ We try to help our municipalities however we can,” Keith said.

Dyer is not a huge city – two of the biggest businesses are a Dollar General and a golf course, Porter said – but residents host a lot of community events and enjoy a low crime rate, he said. The city includes two parks, one of which features a walking trail and practice fields for sports teams, and the other features playground equipment and the city’ s community building. The community building is more than 100 years old and once served as an Army barracks in Batesville before the structure was purchased and moved to Dyer, Porter said.

Among the community events is the Junk Ranch, an event which brings together vendors who sell recycled and upcycled items such as old farm implements repurposed for new uses, Porter said. He added that the city also started holding a farmers market this year and plans to host a preparedness fair in the fall.

“ Traditionally, our biggest events are the Fourth of July and Halloween,” Porter said. Dyer hosts the usual Independence Day fireworks display and related outdoor events, usually the weekend before the Fourth each year, and several area churches and families plan an annual trunkor-treat event at the end of

Dyer Mayor ROBERT PORTER

cityofdyerar. com

Population: 772

City Hall: 305 Washington Street Dyer, AR 72934 479-997-8557

Community Center: 479-997-8557

Post Office: 107 N Main Street Dyer, AR 72935 800-275-8777

Police Department: 479-997-8557

Fire Department: 479-997-8557

October each year.

While he appreciates the small community charm as it currently exists, Porter has a definite idea on what might best benefit the city of Dyer in the future. Dyer is located halfway between Alma to the west and Mulberry to the east, but there is no exit from I-40 going directly to Dyer. Porter believes the addition of an exit ramp would help improve the tax base of Dyer, he said.

“ I would love to see us get an interstate exit. We are the only little town without one on I-40,” he said.