Northwest Arkansas Council unveils 10-year strategy

The Northwest Arkansas Council on Tuesday (Jan. 18) released its “growth and development strategy” for the next decade during its winter meeting in Springdale.

Jim Walton, son of Wal-Mart founders Sam and Helen Walton, chairs the powerful group of area business and civic leaders who have in the past been responsible for successfully pushing major infrastructure projects in Northwest Arkansas — to include the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.

Joining Walton on Tuesday for the strategy unveiling was Gov. Mike Beebe, Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., Maria Haley, executive director, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Mark Simmons, chairman and chair of the strategic planning initiative for the Northwest Arkansas Council, and Mike Malone, president and CEO, Northwest Arkansas Council.

Participants from the Fort Smith area included Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders and Mat Pitsch, project manager for the Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority.

“I really appreciate having been invited. It signals the importance they place on the fact that we are all part of a greater region,” Sanders said.

The strategy, according to a council statement, “identifies a number of initiatives and activities that must be accomplished for the Northwest Region to remain economically viable.” Those initiatives are:
• Infrastructure – invest in physical infrastructure, improve connectivity to other metropolitan areas for tourism and freight purposes and improve mobility for current residents.

• Regional Economic Development – develop a comprehensive, regional approach to raise Northwest Arkansas’ profile with businesses and companies looking to relocate.

• Community Vitality – support the work of community and social service providers, promote racial, cultural and ethnic diversity and develop the next generation of leadership for the future.

• Educational Excellence – elevate educational attainment and workforce skills, reduce the dropout rate and increase the number of residents with Bachelor’s degrees.
 
According to a statement from the council, former Northwest Council Chairman and Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott issued more than a year ago a challenge that the council and other regional partners develop a plan for growing jobs and economic opportunities in Northwest Arkansas into the next decade.

Atlanta-based Market Street Services, a national consulting firm that specializes in regional economic development, was hired to help the council through the process. The process included gathering input from thousands of area residents to create assessments in four key areas: assess the economy, benchmark strengths and weaknesses, assess trends and opportunities, and develop a sustainable plan for the future.

“The community’s voice and input were the driving force behind the strategy which identifies a number of initiatives and activities that must be accomplished for the Northwest Region to remain the vibrant force we’ve enjoyed for the last 20 years,” said Mark Simmons. “NWA needs to function well on a regional level to truly be competitive for the best jobs and economic opportunities.”

Simmons and Malone discussed areas of strength in the Northwest Region including successful businesses, higher education, public schools, amenities, affordability, safety, philanthropy and health care. They also highlighted areas that must be improved upon including economic diversity, regional unification, educational attainment, income levels, ethnic diversity, insured population, infrastructure, and small business support. Each of these categories was addressed with specific objectives for its future successes.
 
The council statement also noted success in the strategy “will require broad-based leadership by regional partner organizations.” The Northwest Arkansas Chambers of Commerce, the Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation, healthcare leaders, educators and other regional partners have already begun assuming leadership roles on key elements of the strategy in order to guarantee broad-based success, according to council information.

Link here to the council’s website for more info about the new strategy.