Northwest Arkansas Regional Strategy
Northwest Arkansas offers more than scenic beauty. It’s a place where people find connection, culture and the opportunity to build a good life. Whether it’s time on the trails, local arts, or a strong sense of community, residents see the region as full of promise.
Rooted in What Matters
A Region on the Rise
Northwest Arkansas is growing, driven by bold ideas, visionary leadership, and a strong spirit of collaboration. The region adds about 38 new residents each day and is on pace to surpass 1 million people by 2050.
That momentum brings opportunity, but also pressure. Without a plan, housing costs rise, infrastructure strains, and the region risks losing what makes it special.
The Northwest Arkansas Council launched Growing Home to help communities grow with intention. The strategy aligns infrastructure, housing and land use to support sustainable and inclusive growth.
A Shared Effort to Shape What Comes Next
Northwest Arkansas moves forward when people work together. Growing Home brings together city and county leaders, planners, state agencies and residents to address shared challenges and build regional solutions.
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A recent public opinion survey conducted by the Northwest Arkansas Council confirms the urgency of this work. Residents ranked housing affordability, traffic congestion and loss of green space as top concerns—reinforcing the need for coordinated action.
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The effort builds on years of collaboration and planning, with guidance from DPZ CoDesign, a national leader in planning and urban design. It is being led on behalf of the Council by Groundwork, a housing-focused initiative within the organization. This effort expands Groundwork’s purview beyond housing access to include broader issues of land use and growth, which are inextricably connected to the region’s ability to deliver a variety of housing options near jobs, services and lifestyle amenities.
Planning for Opportunity in Every Community
Housing, infrastructure and land use go hand in hand. Growing Home addresses them together to expand options for residents at every stage of life—young families, essential workers, older adults, and newcomers alike.
The strategy explores models that preserve green space, strengthen regional connections, and help people live closer to work, schools and services. The goal is to shape growth in ways that reflect the region’s values while preparing for its future.
Growth is Inevitable. The Outcome is Not.
Northwest Arkansas will continue to grow. The region must choose whether to shape that growth with intention or let it unfold without a plan.
The path forward calls for early action, strong partnerships and long-term thinking. Investing now in housing, infrastructure and community is the best way to protect what makes this place special.
A Regional Process with Local Impact
Growing Home includes public events, surveys and online tools to gather feedback from residents, employers, civic leaders and others. Updates and opportunities for input will appear on this site throughout 2025.
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The decisions made today will shape Northwest Arkansas for decades to come. Everyone has a role in building what comes next.