This is a sponsored message from the Northwest Arkansas Council.
Northwest Arkansas residents are invited to help shape the region’s future through the Growing Home NWA Roadshow, an eight-day series of community meetings and events starting Sept. 17.
The effort is organized by the Northwest Arkansas Council and its workforce housing division, Groundwork, with planning and design firm DPZ CoDesign hired to lead the work. The roadshow will feature 17 meetings and focus groups across Benton and Washington counties from Sept. 17–24. It is part of a regional growth strategy in development to help communities prepare for population growth while protecting the qualities that make Northwest Arkansas special.
The strategy, which will complement existing city and county plans, is expected to be complete with a full set of recommendations in early 2026.
“Regional challenges require regional solutions,” said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. “Through the Growing Home Roadshow, we’re bringing people together to chart a path of mutual benefit, ensuring communities of all sizes have the tools they need to manage growth while preserving what makes Northwest Arkansas unique.”
Community Concerns Driving The Work
Over the past five months, the project team has conducted 28 stakeholder interviews and dozens of conversations that surfaced consistent concerns tied to rapid growth, including:
Housing that is increasingly out of reach for working families
Traffic congestion and limited transportation options
Uneven infrastructure, especially in rural and fast-growing areas
The need for more inclusive gathering spaces and trail access
DPZ brings deep local knowledge, having guided planning projects in Bentonville and Rogers and engaged with homebuilders, developers and elected officials across the region.
“While Northwest Arkansas’ growth has brought tremendous opportunity, it has also created challenges that no single city can solve alone,” said Matthew Lambert, partner at DPZ CoDesign. “Our goal with the Growing Home Roadshow is to listen directly to residents and leaders, then translate their priorities into a regional strategy that supports local decision-making while strengthening the region as a whole.”
Opportunities to Participate
Residents can take part in a range of public events during the roadshow:
Public Meeting: Benton County
Wednesday, Sept. 17
5:30 to 7:30 pm | Centerton City Hall, 200 Municipal Drive, Centerton
Kickoff meeting featuring informative displays, opening presentation and Q&A with project leaders.
Public Virtual Meeting: Onward Ozarks – Regional Growth and the Future of NWA
Thursday, Sept. 18
9 to 10 a.m. | Zoom – Register here
Early insights from research and community conversations and discussion on how public input is helping set priorities, define a vision and chart strategies for the region’s future.
Pop-Up: Fayetteville
Saturday, Sept. 20
7 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Fayetteville Farmers Market, Fayetteville Square
Informal opportunity to ask questions and share feedback with the project team.
Public Meeting: Two-County Quorum Courts
Monday, Sept. 22
6 p.m. | Springdale City Hall, 201 Spring Street, Springdale
This rare joint meeting of both quorum courts underscores the importance of regional collaboration in addressing growth. Livestream available on the City of Springdale’s YouTube channel.
Public Meeting: Washington County
Wednesday, Sept. 24
5:30 to 7:30 pm | The Medium, 214 S. Main Street, Springdale
Closing session with informative displays, a presentation and public Q&A.
Northwest Arkansas residents can help shape the region’s future by attending one or more of the public events.
For a full schedule of events and to learn more, visit growinghomenwa.com.
