Stakeholder Conversations Reveal Shared Hopes and Pressing Challenges for Northwest Arkansas
- Growing Home NWA Project Team
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
As part of its Northwest Arkansas Regional Growth Strategy initiative, the Northwest Arkansas Council and its project team completed a series of in-depth conversations with community stakeholders from across the region, an important step in crafting a growth strategy grounded in local experience, shared values and community-driven solutions.
Representatives from 28 organizations participated in one-on-one interviews, offering insights drawn from daily work with residents in sectors such as housing, transportation, education, public health, food access, the arts and advocacy. The resulting feedback provides a clearer picture of how people across the region are experiencing growth and where they believe Northwest Arkansas should go next.
“This region was built by working together across communities, and that kind of collaboration is just as important now,” said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. “These conversations highlight both the opportunities people see and the challenges they face. It’s clear that local perspectives must guide the region’s next chapter.”
The interviews are part of a broader strategy being led by global planning firm DPZ CoDesign. The goal: to equip communities of all sizes with the tools, data and coordination needed to respond to rapid population growth while preserving the character, affordability and natural beauty that make Northwest Arkansas special.
A Regional Portrait Takes Shape
Interviewees described a region with deep civic pride and a spirit of collaboration. Residents, they said, look out for one another and want to protect that sense of neighborliness even as the population expands. Many voiced appreciation for the region’s blend of big-city amenities and small-town feel and want to see that balance preserved.
The conversations also spotlighted consistent concerns:
Housing increasingly out of reach for working families
Traffic congestion that affects quality of life and business operations
Limited transportation options and lack of child and elder care access
Uneven infrastructure, especially in rural or fast-growing areas
Desire for more inclusive community spaces, trail access and civic gathering places
Several interviewees raised the need for smarter land use planning, stronger coordination between local governments and more support for smaller cities that may lack the capacity to plan or develop effectively on their own.
“There’s a clear interest in working together across city lines, but also a desire to make sure local identities and priorities are respected,” said Matthew Lambert, partner at DPZ CoDesign. “These interviews have revealed not only the challenges of growth, but also the shared commitment to finding practical, region-wide solutions that keep Northwest Arkansas livable and affordable.”
What Comes Next
The findings from these discussions will help guide the next round of public engagement and scenario development. The wide range of voices consulted underscores the importance of continuing to engage communities throughout the planning process.
This fall, the project team will launch a multi-day roadshow to meet with residents directly and gather feedback on future growth scenarios. Additional input opportunities will also take place to ensure broad and inclusive participation.
To learn more about the Regional Growth Strategy and how to get involved, stay tuned to www.growinghomenwa.com.
