Surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, Mena is a gateway to some of the most visited tourist attractions in Arkansas.

The main industries of the area were timber, agriculture and mineral extraction, though it was advertised as a spa city located within a healthy environment.

In 1901, an African-American man accused of kicking a White girl, was removed from the jail, beaten, and hanged.

[11] In the 1950s, a government program to stockpile manganese led to the reopening of local mines closed since the 1890s.

Seal also flew gun and drug smuggling missions between Mena and Nicaragua as part of a CIA scheme to support the Contras.

Local law enforcement claimed that attempts to investigate the operation were blocked by the White House.

[11] On April 9, 2009, a large and violent tornado devastated the town, killing three and injuring thirty.

Mena's climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters, with precipitation occurring in all seasons.

The Southwest Times Record, based in Fort Smith, is also sold in Mena and covers both the news of the state and the Arkansas River Valley.

The big four television stations in Mena are KFSM (CBS), KHBS (ABC), KNWA (NBC) and KFTA (Fox).

KARK (NBC, Little Rock) is also available on cable, dating from the times when KNWA's signal did not reach Mena.

Mena now has a tabloid circular, The Polk County Pulse, owned by KENA Radio.

The monthly is distributed digitally as well as via special editions at local gift shops and restaurants.