A local organization is trying to have an impact on disposable incomes for people in Fort Smith, according to its executive director.

Talicia Richardson, executive director of 64.6 Downtown, was the guest speaker for the Clayton House's Clayton Conversations event Sunday. Richardson said 64.6 Downtown is trying to carry out difference-making moves that facilitate activation not only for a diverse population, but diversity in economic development within the community. She described the organization as an activation haven that was put in place to try to activate through both places and people.

64.6 Downtown was established by Steve Clark in 2015, Richardson said. However, Clark is only one person who is a part of a bigger puzzle.

"So I'm here today to explain to you what one person's idea, what it has morphed into, whether he wanted it to or not," Richardson said. "It has morphed into something I think bigger beyond his understanding because it has started a movement in our community not only with arts, but education and economic development, which is the most difficult piece for me right now because we want to put our money where our mouth is and create higher disposable incomes for the people that live in our community."

Richardson provided statistics about those who make up the population of Fort Smith. She said there are about 86,000 people living in the city. Of this number, 69.3 percent are white, 16.5 percent are Hispanic or Latino, 9 percent are black, 5.3 percent are Asian, 4.2 percent are two or more races, 1.8 percent are American Indian and Alaska Native and 0.1 percent are Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander. However, there are about 223,000 people living in the Fort Smith metropolitan statistical area. In addition, Fort Smith has a median income of $36,000, a median age of 35, and an educational attainment of 20.1 percent.

Richardson's presentation covered a wide variety of subjects, including the perception of downtown Fort Smith, development and infrastructure, commerce, lifestyle and events and tourism.

"Fort Smith can be great right now, but we have to make some strong moves, some swift executed moves, to turn this into a city of more commerce, more disposable income, so that people do not have to travel to northwest Arkansas or to Tulsa to have quality food like Sprouts or Whole Foods and things of that nature," Richardson said. "We have to have more amenities, more diverse amenities, to attract everyone and to retain everyone that continues to build our community forward."