Growth is inevitable. Collaboration is intentional. Let's talk. Jump to Intro Growing intentionally to preserve and enhance the region we love. Over the course of 2025, we’re convening a year-long community conversation on future growth in Northwest Arkansas. Together, we’ll chart a collaborative path forward, developing locally-customized, regionally-coordinated strategies that maintain the autonomy of our communities, preserve the charm of our surroundings, cultivate economic opportunity, expand housing options and enhance the efficiency and convenience of our daily lives. LEARN MORE PARTICIPATE LATEST UPDATES A Wild and Green Region We live outdoors. From our iconic Ozark landscape and world-class recreation, to clean water and hunting, quality of life in Northwest Arkansas is inextricably linked to the health of our natural environment. So are key economic drivers like rural jobs and tourism. Our region’s future depends on us guiding our growth to enhance the very qualities that make this place so desirable. An Opportunity-Rich Region We work together to create opportunity at every level, from Fortune 500 companies to family-run small businesses. Our region’s strong job growth, ranked among the top 10 nationally, is a point of pride. But as more people move here to join the workforce, we’re reminded that a thriving region needs more than just jobs. It also needs attainable housing and a high quality of life for everyone who calls this place home. A Friendly and Familiar Region We celebrate family and friends in neighborly places that feel like home. Where neighborhoods are familiar, the views bring comfort, and a sense of belonging runs deep. But when growth goes unchecked, that sense of place starts to erode. Generic buildings and disconnected development begin to replace the character and charm that define our communities. A Region on the Move Mobility is about more than roads. It's about having real choices for how and when you get to the people and places that matter. Whether it’s getting to work, meeting up with friends, or enjoying all our region has to offer. A thriving Northwest Arkansas is one where people can move freely and efficiently, in all kinds of ways Past Events Onward Ozarks: Regional Growth and the Future of NWA Podcast [Recorded] View Growing Home NWA Event Featuring Joe Minicozzi of Urban3 View Deck Catch Up on the Latest News Regional Growth Strategy Released: Leaders gather for first look Year-long effort shows how focused growth can lower costs and strengthen Northwest Arkansas. A regional growth strategy released today outlines how Northwest Arkansas can manage rapid growth, lower long-term costs and strengthen communities as the region approaches 1 million residents by 2050. The Northwest Arkansas Council’s Growing Home NWA regional growth strategy reflects more than a year of research, analysis and engagement with residents, local officials and business l Growing Home NWA Project Team Growing Home NWA Shares Updated Analysis on Growth Patterns and Infrastructure Growing Home NWA event convened on Jan. 14 at the Fayetteville Public Library, where more than 300 local leaders, elected officials and community stakeholders gathered to examine how growth patterns shape long-term infrastructure needs, fiscal sustainability and quality of life across the region. Growing Home NWA Project Team Roadshow Finale in Springdale Marks Turning Point for Growth Strategy Residents, officials and industry leaders explore policy tools to guide Northwest Arkansas’ future. The Growing Home roadshow concluded... Growing Home NWA Project Team VIEW ALL UPDATES

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. 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. 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. The decisions made today will shape Northwest Arkansas for decades to come. Everyone has a role in building what comes next. LATEST UPDATES

Resource Downloads Supporting documents, reports, and other resources are posted here as they become available. City Socioeconomics October 21, 2025 (19.5mb PDF) DOWNLOAD Regional Socioeconomics January 7, 2026 (18.3mb PDF) DOWNLOAD DOWNLOAD Regulatory Environment October 22, 2025 (15.8mb PDF) Infrastructure & Environment October 27, 2025 (17.2mb PDF) DOWNLOAD Housing Study May, 2025 (2.6mb PDF) DOWNLOAD Urban3 Presentation January 14, 2026 (51.1mb PDF) DOWNLOAD Vision Report April 15, 2026 (19.4mb PDF) DOWNLOAD ONLINE VIEWER Strategies Report April 15, 2026 (22.8mb PDF) DOWNLOAD ONLINE VIEWER

Year-long effort shows how focused growth can lower costs and strengthen Northwest Arkansas. A regional growth strategy released today outlines how Northwest Arkansas can manage rapid growth, lower long-term costs and strengthen communities as the region approaches 1 million residents by 2050. The Northwest Arkansas Council’s Growing Home NWA regional growth strategy  reflects more than a year of research, analysis and engagement with residents, local officials and business leaders. The work was developed in partnership with DPZ CoDesign and PlaceMakers and informed by analysis from Urban3, Crafton Tull and other contributors. The work was made possible through support from the Walton Family Foundation. The strategy builds on work already underway across the region, including transportation planning, wastewater studies, zoning updates and downtown investment strategies, and brings those efforts together into a shared regional framework. Northwest Arkansas ranks among the 20 fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States and is adding 40 residents per day, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. “Growth creates opportunity, but it puts pressure on housing, infrastructure and the cost of living,” said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. “How we grow will determine whether we stay competitive, affordable and connected while protecting the community character that makes this region special.” “Northwest Arkansas is at a defining moment,” said Matt Lambert, partner at DPZ CoDesign. “The choices made now will determine whether growth strengthens communities and builds long-term value or compounds mounting costs. This strategy provides a framework to align infrastructure and development so growth strengthens the region as a whole.” The strategy was the centerpiece of the Northwest Arkansas Council’s Spring Meeting, where regional leaders discussed the findings, highlighted key priorities and shared perspectives on what the strategy could mean for Northwest Arkansas if its long-term goals are realized. The Council also shared a video that introduces the strategy and what it means for the region.  Growth Patterns Determine Long-Term Costs Development patterns drive long-term costs for households and local governments. Many cities are growing outward in ways that require extending roads, utilities and services over greater distances, driving up public costs. Small cities remain heavily weighted toward single-family housing, limiting housing options and increasing land consumption. If current patterns continue, the urbanized area of Northwest Arkansas could consume roughly 59 additional square miles of land by 2050, an area larger than the current size of Fayetteville, the region’s largest city. A more focused approach would reduce that to 37 square miles and generate an estimated $340 million annual surplus that can be invested in infrastructure, services and community priorities. Peacock said one goal is to make sure growth carries more of its own cost. When growth aligns with infrastructure and community needs, it reduces costs and strengthens communities. When it does not, those costs are felt over time. A Regional Strategy Built Around Six Priorities Six priorities identified in the strategy should guide growth and help address the region’s most pressing challenges. Those recommendations include: Anchor growth in strong downtowns and community centers to support local economies and generate more value per acre Align development with existing infrastructure to reduce long-term public costs Expand housing options to support residents at every stage of life and at a wider range of price points Improve transportation connections to reduce congestion and shorten daily trips across the region Coordinate water, wastewater and stormwater systems across communities to reduce duplication  Strengthen regional collaboration to align decisions across cities and counties These priorities are designed to shape how the region grows over time by directing investment to the places that can support it and reducing the long-term cost of infrastructure and services. That matters because housing, transportation, infrastructure and economic development are connected, and decisions in one area affect outcomes across the region. Stronger Centers and Regional Coordination Will Be Critical Many of the region’s small cities have a clear opportunity to strengthen long-term economic viability. More than a dozen communities are well positioned to invest in downtowns and primary commercial corridors. The Urban3 analysis that was part of this project shows ways these downtowns and commercial corridors can be improved to allow cities to generate more tax revenue without changing tax rates. “Johnson Square has transformed our community and created a stronger foundation for growth,” said Johnson Mayor Chris Keeney. “It’s become a place where people want to spend time, and that kind of investment supports the city over the long term. It shows how focusing development in the right places strengthens a community and gives others a path forward.” Many systems that shape daily life already operate at a regional scale across Northwest Arkansas. Housing markets cross city boundaries. Workers commute between communities. Water and wastewater systems serve multiple jurisdictions. Yet planning decisions are often made locally, shifting costs rather than reducing them. Stronger coordination across cities and counties, particularly in wastewater, stormwater and other regional infrastructure systems, will be critical to reducing duplication and lowering long-term costs. “Northwest Arkansas has experienced remarkable growth, and in Bentonville we’ve spent years planning for how that growth affects infrastructure, housing and long-term capacity,” said Bentonville Mayor Stephanie Orman. “We’re seeing that systems like wastewater, transportation and utilities don’t stop at city boundaries. Meeting future growth will require coordination across communities and strong governance so we can manage costs responsibly and ensure Northwest Arkansas continues to grow in a way that strengthens our communities.” Housing, Transportation and Cost of Living Are Connected Housing, transportation and infrastructure must be addressed together. Housing supply has not kept pace with demand, limiting options and increasing costs. Residents are traveling farther for work and to meet daily needs, and households now spend roughly $3 billion annually on transportation, reflecting longer trips and limited connectivity. At the same time, across Northwest Arkansas, new housing is concentrated in a narrow range of product types, even as demand continues to diversify across price points, household sizes and life stages. Rising land prices and infrastructure costs make it important for communities to support more compact development patterns that reduce long-term infrastructure costs and support future transportation options. Many of these challenges are not driven by any single decision. They are the result of how financing, land use regulations and infrastructure investments interact over time. Today, those systems often reward the development patterns that are easiest to deliver, not the ones that best meet the region’s needs. “Rogers has taken steps to update our development code and think differently about how we grow, including allowing a wider range of housing types,” said Rogers Mayor Greg Hines. “The Growing Home strategy validates that approach and creates a shared framework so communities across Northwest Arkansas can grow in ways that make sense locally while still aligning across the region.” What Comes Next The Growing Home NWA regional growth strategy includes the Regional Vision  and Growth Strategies  Companion Report. The first three supporting strategy documents published today focus on housing and development, transportation and mobility, and infrastructure and stormwater. Additional reports focused on regional character, funding and finance, and regional governance and will be shared in the coming weeks. These documents set the direction for Northwest Arkansas and identify the actions, investments and partnerships needed to move it forward. The Council will move directly from strategy to action, advancing the plan’s priorities through coordinated efforts across Northwest Arkansas. Beginning in May, the Council expects to convene regional leaders, stakeholders and partners to define roles and responsibilities for implementation. Early efforts will focus on identifying near-term actions, establishing working groups and defining clear ownership and metrics to track progress over time.

A deep analysis of Northwest Arkansas communities showed that cities investing in strong downtowns and compact development patterns generate significantly greater long-term public value while reducing infrastructure costs over time. That finding anchored a Growing Home NWA event convened by the Northwest Arkansas Council on Jan. 14 at the Fayetteville Public Library, where more than 300 local leaders, elected officials and community stakeholders  gathered to examine how growth patterns shape long-term infrastructure needs, fiscal sustainability and quality of life across the region. Presentation materials from the event are available here .  The event featured updated regional analysis developed in partnership with Urban3, a geoanalytics consulting firm that works with cities and regions nationwide to evaluate the long-term outcomes of development decisions. The findings are informing a regional road strategy now under development and will be incorporated into additional research to be shared later this spring. Growing Home NWA is a regional effort launched by the Council to support intentional growth through data, public input and collaboration. Over the course of 2025, the initiative is convening a yearlong community conversation aimed at developing locally informed, regionally coordinated strategies that preserve community character, expand housing options, support economic opportunity and improve mobility. Urban3’s analysis examined how different development patterns perform over time by comparing land use, infrastructure obligations and public value generation across Northwest Arkansas communities. Rather than focusing on individual projects, the analysis looked at broader patterns and outcomes to help local leaders better understand long-term tradeoffs. A central measure used in the analysis was value per acre, which allows communities to compare how much public value different development patterns generate relative to the amount of land they consume. The analysis showed that compact, productive development patterns consistently generate more long-term public value per acre than lower-density patterns. Downtowns and established centers, while occupying a relatively small share of land, produced outsized value compared to more dispersed development. The analysis also highlighted the relationship between land consumption and infrastructure responsibilities. Roads, utilities and other public assets are long-term obligations that require ongoing maintenance and eventual replacement. As communities expand outward, they take on more infrastructure per person, increasing long-term costs that accumulate over time. Urban3’s regional snapshot estimates that Benton and Washington counties include 6,638 lane miles of roads, including 4,420 lane miles of locally maintained roads. The estimated annualized cost associated with maintaining that network is approximately $284 million across the region. Another key takeaway was that density alone does not guarantee positive outcomes. Communities that experience higher population density without productive land use can absorb increased traffic and service demand without generating sufficient long-term revenue. The analysis showed that productive centers and mixed-use patterns play a critical role in translating growth into sustainable community benefit. The presentation underscored the importance of a regional perspective. Development patterns in one community affect infrastructure systems, transportation networks and fiscal pressures across city and county lines. Comparing outcomes across communities helps identify which patterns are producing sustainable results and where adjustments may be needed. The findings shared at the Jan. 14 event represent an early phase of analysis. The Northwest Arkansas Council is continuing to refine the data and incorporate it into a broader regional growth strategy. The full strategy will be presented at the Northwest Arkansas Council spring meeting in April.

Residents, officials and industry leaders explore policy tools to guide Northwest Arkansas’ future. The Growing Home roadshow concluded Wednesday, Sept. 17 with a public presentation at The Medium in Springdale. The event capped a week of focus groups, community meetings and pop-ups across Northwest Arkansas, where residents and leaders shared concerns about growth and ideas for the future. The evening featured displays highlighting both earlier findings and new proposals shaped by roadshow input. Project lead Matt Lambert of DPZ CoDesign delivered a 45-minute presentation outlining the region’s challenges and presenting policy strategies and tools aimed at managing growth more effectively. Some examples drew from local efforts already underway, showing how communities can expand housing choices, align infrastructure and preserve valued open space. Areas of focus included housing cost, transportation and congestion, infrastructure and utilities, community character and impact, and collaboration and regional tools. Following the presentation, attendees reviewed displays and spoke with the project team about strategies that could help balance rapid growth with affordability, sustainability and community character. With the roadshow now complete, the project team will begin assembling the comprehensive Regional Strategy. That work will synthesize the data, ideas and feedback gathered over the past week into a framework for future growth, expected to be released in early 2026. The complete presentation slides and a closing interview with Matt Lambert are available below.