Northwest Arkansas Council 4100 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 205, Springdale, Arkansas 72762 2013-2014 Annual Report www.nwacouncil.org 2013-2014 Members Jay Allen, Jay Allen Communications Peter Lane, Walton Arts Center Don Bacigalupi, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Randy Laney, Empire District Electric Co. Dick Barclay, Beall Barclay Randy Lawson, Lawco Exploration Susan Barrett, Consultant Greg Lee, Tyson Foods (retired) Rick Barrows, Multi-Craft Contractors, Inc. Jim Lindsey, Lindsey Management Co., Inc. Ne! Basore, Cooper Communities, Inc. Je! Long, University of Arkansas Fadil Bayyari, Bayyari Construction and Properties Bill Mathews, McDonalds of Northwest Arkansas Rod Bigelow, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art David Matthews, Matthews, Campbell, Rhoads, McClure & Thompson Rob Boaz, Carroll Electric Cooperative Corp. Wayne Mays, Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce Ed Bradberry, B & B Resources Tim McFarland, Elevate Performance Bill Bradley, Washington Regional Medical Center Dan McKay, Northwest Health System Rosalind Brewer, Sam’s Club Je! Milford, AEP SWEPCO Mary Beth Brooks, Bank of Fayetteville Elise Mitchell, Mitchell Communications Group Tim Broughton, McKee Foods Mike Moss, Moss Financial Group John Brown III, Windgate Foundation Becky Paneitz, Inseitz Group Frank Broyles, University of Arkansas Neal Pendergraft, Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Raymond Burns, Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce Gene Pharr, Arkansas Farm Bureau Wayne Callahan, Vestar Capital Partners Buddy Philpot, Walton Family Foundation Steve Clark, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Eric Pianalto, Mercy Health Systems of Northwest Arkansas Ed Cli!ord, The Jones Trust Chip Pollard, John Brown University Justin Cole, Rich Baseball Operations Patrick L. Reed, FedEx Freight John Cooper III, Cooper Communities Inc. John Roberts, J. B. Hunt Transport Services Dana Davis, Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce Adam Rutledge, First Security Bank Rich Davis, SourceGas Arkansas Reynie Rutledge, First Security Bank Tommy Deweese, AEP SWEPCO (retired) Maggie Sans, Walmart Stores Lee DuChanois, APAC-Central, Inc. Nick Santoleri, Rockline Industries John Elrod, Conner & Winters Archie Scha!er, Tyson Foods Danny Ferguson, Southwestern Energy Charles Scharlau, Southwestern Energy Greg Fogle, Nabholz Construction Services Je! Schomburger, Procter & Gamble Cathy Foraker, AT&T Anita Scism, Endeavor Foundation Alan Fortenberry, Beaver Water District Lee Scott, Walmart Stores Ed Fryar, Ozark Mountain Poultry Mark Simmons, Simmons Foods Troy Galloway, Arkansas National Guard Todd Simmons, Simmons Foods G. David Gearhart, University of Arkansas Cameron Smith, Cameron Smith & Associates Stan Green, Lindsey Green Properties Donnie Smith, Tyson Foods Mary Ann Greenwood, Greenwood Gearhart Inc. Steve Sta!ord, Ansta! Bank Scott Grigsby, Arvest Bank Group Philip Taldo, Weichert Realtors, The Gri"n Company John Paul Hammerschmidt, former U.S. Congressman Kirk Thompson, J. B. Hunt Transport Services D. Scott Hancock, Centennial Bank Walter Turnbow, Beaver Water District (retired) Gary Head, Signature Bank of Arkansas John Tyson, Tyson Foods Dan Hendrix, Arkansas World Trade Center Scott Van Laningham, Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Tom Hopper, Crafton Tull & Associates Eddie Vega, EZ Spanish Media Dina Howell, Saatchi & Saatchi X Jerry Vest, Regions Bank of NWA Dennis Hunt, Stephens Inc. Fred Vorsanger, UAMS AHEC Board Walter Hussman, WEHCO Media Inc. Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Mitchell Johnson, Ozark Electric Cooperative Corp. Jim Walton, Arvest Bank Group Eli Jones, University of Arkansas Rob Walton, Walmart Stores Robert Jones III, Conner & Winters Perry Webb, Springdale Chamber of Commerce Evelyn Jorgenson, NorthWest Arkansas Community College John White, University of Arkansas James Keenan, The Raven Foundation Wayne Woods, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Fayetteville resident Greg Moody illustrated the front and back cover of the Northwest Arkansas Council’s annual report. It shows the Je! Koenig, Upchurch Electrical Supply Company Charles Zimmerman, Walmart Stores Walmart AMP, the wayfinding system, the Razorback Regional Greenway, the planned Amazeum, I-49, the region’s population milestone, Peter Kohler, UAMS Northwest Randy Zook, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Graduate NWA, a corporate expansion project, Ozark Regional Transit, the Fayetteville flyover and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Bob Lamb, Consultant

2 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 15 Mark Simmons, chairman of Simmons Foods Inc., is the outgoing presiding co-chair of the Northwest Arkansas Council. Earlier this year, Simmons was inducted this year into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam’s Club, takes over as the Northwest Arkansas Council’s presiding co-chair. In 2013, Forbes recognized her as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. O!cers of the Council

Position Held O!cer Presiding Co-Chair (2013-2014) Mark Simmons Presiding Co-Chair (2014-2015) Rosalind Brewer Past Presiding Co-Chair (2012-2013) John Tyson Vice Chair / Secretary / Treasurer Scott Van Laningham Chair Emeritus Alice Walton Chair Emeritus John Paul Hammerschmidt A cyclist rides across a bridge on a section of the Clear Creek Trail that’s north of the Northwest Arkansas Mall. The trial’s opening was celebrated by the cities of Johnson and Fayetteville in April this year. Members of the Executive Committee Table of Contents Type of Appointment 2013-2014 Outreach 4 (term of appointment) Executive Committee The world is learning about region, thanks to the Council’s work with a New York firm Presiding Co-Chair Mark Simmons (1-year term) ER&E Program 5 Region’s companies predict they’ll hire at least 2,000 workers over next three years Vice Chair / Secretary / Treasurer Scott Van Laningham (indefinite term) Achievement 6 President of NWA Wayne Mays Northwest Arkansas students are improving in mathematics, literacy Chambers of Commerce (through January 2015) Co-Chair’s Appointees Rick Barrows Placemaking 7 (1-year term) John Elrod Council and its partners support work to improve downtowns, support local food Nominating Committee Becky Paneitz Representative #1 (3-year term) (term expires in 2014) Population Growth 8 Region’s population reached an important milestone on May 28 Nominating Committee Chip Pollard Representative #2 (3-year term) (term expires in 2015) Infrastructure 10 Nominating Committee Mitchell Johnson Highway investments by state, cities raise spending to highest point since 1999 Representative #3 (3-year term) (term expires in 2016) Economic Growth 12 Study: Northwest Arkansas economy should be among the best through 2020 Strategic Plan 13 2013-2014 MAJOR INVESTORS The Council nears the end of five-year plan, new three-year plan in the works Leadership 14 Sam’s Club leader will serve as the Council’s presiding co-chair in 2014-15 Members 15 The Council includes more than 100 business and civic leaders in Northwest Arkansas

14 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 3 Outreach Strategic Plan Council Works to Tell Region’s Story Council Starts Development of

Economic developers in Northwest Arkansas work hard to keep the region New Three-Year Strategy on the list of places companies are considering for expansions, hoping the A mid-course assessment there are opportunities to establish a more Northwest Arkansas as he helps put right combination of factors result in determined that so many components of aggressive program of work and also together the region’s new three-year plan. major jobs announcements. the 2011-2015 Greater Northwest Arkansas address the threat of losing momentum.” “Ted’s conversations with people in Site selectors, the people who help Development Strategy are complete that In its report, Economic Leadership Northwest Arkansas as part of his mid- companies evaluate where they should it’s time for the region’s leaders to take noted that several of the strategic actions course assessment told us our next plan expand, work just as hard to eliminate on a new set of challenges. accomplished such as the establishment of a should have fewer than the 55 strategic Northwest Arkansas and every other Most aspects of the five-year regional wayfinding system and organizing a actions than there were in the original community, knowing that they can development strategy, which was regional diversity summit “will make all five-year plan,” said Mike Malone, the evaluate communities e!ectively if they launched in January 2011, are either fully future e!orts easier and di"cult projects Council’s president and CEO. “He’s said it can get down to a short list of finalists. complete or established in a way that will possible.” “Collaboration is made possible may be that we need fewer, more That’s how the business of company allow for ongoing, future success. by trust, and trust is developed over time impactful undertakings in our next plan expansions works, and 2013 proved to be The mid-course assessment by and is usually dependent on past actions, and that’s one of the things he will help us a banner year for Northwest Arkansas in Raleigh, N.C.-based Economic Leadership recognized proficiency, or alignment of determine. terms of big-time jobs announcements earlier this year suggested that the beliefs,” Abernathy wrote. “The successes of “Ted has an incredible knowledge and expansions. The region stayed on Northwest Arkansas Council and its the implementation over the past three about what makes regions successful on a lots of site selectors’ short lists. partners should finish up the five-year years are, in part, due to the quality of the national level, and we want to use his In a five-month span, Serco strategy’s key components in 2014 and leadership and sta! of the Council.” insight to shape where we should go in announced it would provide about 1,500 Kristen E. Gibson, assistant professor of molecular food safety microbiology at the University of that it should turn 2015 into the first year Abernathy over the next few months our new three-year plan. We know for jobs in Rogers, Redman and Associates Arkansas, leads trade journalists on a tour of her research laboratory in July. of a new three-year strategic plan. will meet with business, government and certain that we can build on our first said it would move 74 jobs from China to The Council’s Executive Committee economic development leaders in plan’s success.” Rogers, and South Coast Baking said it “This is an important group for us,” said “One of the weaknesses you do have approved development of the new would bring an operation to Springdale, Mike Harvey, the Council’s chief operating is just knowledge about the area,” Watson three-year plan at its meeting in June. providing for 150 jobs. o"cer. “They’re handling about 70 percent said. “It’s not a well-known area beyond Economic Leadership will lead the Those jobs came as Northwest of the significant location work that we see, Walmart, and so you’ve got to work to e!ort, and the new, written strategic Arkansas is just starting to gain visibility so establishing these relationships and introduce more [site selectors] to it.” plan should be complete by on a national stage and the Northwest learning more about their process makes a Alison Benton, a site selector for December. Arkansas Council is working with local di!erence for us in the long run.” Aliquantis in Dallas, said site selectors are Ted Abernathy, the Managing chambers of commerce and Yet, often people in Northwest familiar with the area but not nearly Partner of Economic Leadership and Development Counsellors International Arkansas and other regions across the U.S. enough have visited the region. Benton economic policy advisor to the (DCI) of New York to accelerate the never know they were candidates for was in the region for a client who wanted Southern Governors' Association, said region’s economic development. It’s company expansions, said Ray Watson, a to consolidate some scattered U.S. Northwest Arkansas partners have location in the central U.S., its abundance Dallas site selector with MaximusAlliance. manufacturing operations into the same done well in pursuing the objectives of white-collar workers, its talent from Northwest Arkansas, for example, was region, but the project wasn’t completed. and strategic actions described in the the colleges and universities, its considered last year as one of 98 possible “How you’ll do depends on whether five-year plan. The goals in the five- entrepreneurial culture, and its sites for a 1,000-job call center because of someone has been there,” Benton said. year plan centered on topics related recognition as a center of excellence for its workforce, its high percentage of people “Northwest Arkansas on paper seems to better schools, infrastructure retail, logistics and food, work in the who speak both Spanish and English, and its extremely remote but is in a central upgrades, improving community region’s favor. central U.S. location, Watson said. However, location in the U.S. If you haven’t been vitality and increasing job To highlight those strengths, DCI Northwest Arkansas was eliminated because there, it’s hard to get your mind wrapped opportunities in Northwest Arkansas. helps the Council coordinate meetings it didn’t meet certain “critical success around what’s really there. The numbers “We found that everyone in with site selectors in cities such as factors” that included having a high show there’s lots of business activity, but Northwest Arkansas deserves Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and New York. unemployment rate and a population of at what’s it look like and what’s it feel like? congratulations for diligently and In the fall, a group of site least 1 million people. Both population and People in New York just have no idea.” systematically implementing the selectors will be visiting Northwest high unemployment were important Additionally, the Council has a recommendations from the strategy,” Ted Abernathy, managing partner of Economic Leadership and economic policy advisor to the Arkansas to learn more about why because the call center is expected to have contract with DCI, a place marketing Abernathy wrote in his mid-term Southern Governors’ Association, talks with Tim McFarland and Mike Harvey. Abernathy helped the business expansions would make high employee turnover. The call center agency, that includes reaching out to assessment completed earlier this year. sense for many companies. ended up in Texas. “We also found that as the Council Northwest Arkansas Council determine whether work described in the Greater Northwest Arkansas Development Strategy is being completed on schedule. He traveled to Northwest Arkansas this year See OUTREACH, Page 12 moves forward for the next few years,

4 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 13 NWA Economy Council Loses a Founding Member ER&E Program Ed Bradberry, one of the just nice and it permeated his Northwest Arkansas Council’s attitude.” Looks Strong founding members Bradberry was born in recognized as a successful Crossett, grew up in Survey: Employers Predict 2,000 New Jobs Through 2020 businessman, community Monticello, and attended leader and philanthropist, Rice University where he met Northwest Arkansas Chambers of community or to work to address regional “Getting feedback on potential issues has died in June. his wife, Karlee. He worked Commerce and the Northwest Arkansas challenges,” said Mike Harvey, the been valuable as the input from our A report published in June Bradberry, a Fayetteville for several companies in the Council determined early this year that Council’s chief operating o"cer. members helps shape the programs that the predicted Northwest Arkansas will be resident who was one of the Ed Bradberry petroleum industry before local companies planned to add more There are many examples of tasks Chamber o!ers moving forward. Having the third fastest-growing economy University of Arkansas’ most founding Continental Ozark, than 2,000 more new workers. taken on by area Chambers of Commerce hard data that more than one industry or among large metropolitan areas in the generous benefactors, was 82 years old. where he was CEO for 17 years. He later The information, which was because needs were identified during business faces a problem has helped speed U.S. through 2020. "Ed Bradberry was one of the finest started his own investment firm, B & B collected in 529 interviews in 2013 by interviews. The Siloam Springs Chamber of up the resolution process and helps keep The forecast, prepared by IHS people I have ever known,” said UA Resources, serving as CEO for 45 years. He outreach specialists from Chambers of Commerce helped Gates Corporation Rogers and Lowell as top business-friendly Global Insight, was released at the U.S. Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “He was made Northwest Arkansas his home in the Commerce in Bentonville/Bella Vista, with employees making job transfers from communities.” Conference of Mayors annual meeting extraordinarily generous to so many 1970s, and he became active in the Fayetteville, Rogers-Lowell, Siloam North Carolina by arranging school visits, Council sta! worked on several regional in Dallas. The report shows the important philanthropies, including the community as a business leader and Springs and Springdale, was gathered as Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers University of Arkansas. He was a real philanthropist. part of the annual Employer Retention Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) gentleman, a renaissance man in so many Bradberry was a charter member of and Expansion (ER&E) program. economy should grow by 4.2 percent ways, with so many interests." the Council and the Northwest Arkansas Among the most significant findings annually through 2020. Only the State Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, retired Regional Airport Authority, reflecting his in the 2013 survey: economies of the Austin-Round Rock- executive director of the Council, commitment to the region’s growth. San Marcos MSA in Texas (4.4 percent) § Employers indicated they would hire described Bradberry as “always the voice He also had deep ties to the and Raleigh-Cary (MSA) in North 2,037 new workers in the next three of doing the right thing.” University of Arkansas. In 2003, Bradberry Carolina (4.3 percent) are expected to years. Employers surveyed in 2012 “Ed was a level-headed, pragmatic and his wife were recognized in the grow at a faster rate. expected to fill 965 new positions business person and had a sense of do the Towers of Old Main, which honors the "This report confirms some trends over three years. right thing always,” Lindsey said. “He was UA’s most generous benefactors. that we already know about the § Employers planned to invest $195 Arkansas economy,” said Kathy Deck, a million in expansions over three University of Arkansas economist. years. “The majority of the state's economic OUTREACH From Page 4 region’s growing business startup scene and § Employers in 2013 identified more output comes from our two largest the development of a disposable insulin than three times as many metropolitan areas and, in particular, national media outlets, industry trade patch pump by a Fayetteville company. “community strengths” as the fast rate of growth of Northwest journals and online publications to ensure DCI also helped share information “community weaknesses” when Arkansas means that the state will that they know about important news. about the region reaching 500,000 asked about Northwest Arkansas. increasingly rely on the region's Spurred by DCI, publications across the residents in May. Benton noticed that The “strengths-to-weaknesses” ratio success for the state's prosperity. The U.S. have written about Northwest communication when it was shared. was similar in 2012. projected high rate of growth for the Arkansas topics such as the preservation “That’s something that would be § Respondents gave the region high Mike Harvey of the Northwest Arkansas Council talks with reporters, chamber of commerce gross metropolitan product in of Fayetteville’s Mount Kessler, the impressive,” she said. “But not having marks for its business climate, Northwest Arkansas is a result of the Razorback Regional Greenway, the 500,000 is something that could eliminate vibrant economy and quality of life. enormous and varied number of § Respondents listed infrastructure, meetings with real-estate agents, and by issues raised during ER&E interviews in 2012 infrastructure, education, and skilled labor availability and setting up community tours. Thirty and 2013. Those included assisting Ozark community investments that have PLACEMAKING From Page 7 in a survey said they’d purchase locally transportation as top concerns. families decided to make the move to Regional Transit with its goal of expanding been made over the past couple of produced foods if they were available. Arkansas, said Cindy Christopher of the its bus routes. decades." The work to support Northwest Karp’s assessment describes a plan for The ER&E program allows outreach Gates Corporation. “The Council was key in providing the The full report showed the Arkansas downtowns is occurring as new making local food more available. specialists to interview representatives of The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of support and statistical data that many of Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA in attention is helping local farmers and The infrastructure projects that leadership teams at businesses, nonprofit Commerce has used the information the entities we met with used or relied 2013 had the nation’s seventh fastest- food businesses e!ectively make their support placemaking include the organizations and local governments. The gleaned in ER&E interviews to shape upon in making their decisions about growing economy among large food available to local consumers. In July, Razorback Regional Greenway that responses are entered into the programs o!ered to members and to funding,” said Joel Gardner, ORT’s general metropolitan areas. It grew 3.8 percent Karp Resources in New York presented its connect the downtowns of Bentonville, Synchronist Business Information System learn about members’ needs, said Steve manager. last year, the report showed. findings, showing what needs to occur to Rogers and Fayetteville as well as the database maintained by the Council. It Cox, vice president of economic Communities responded, using Northwest Arkansas is help such places as restaurants, hospitals region’s impressive mountain bike trails. allows the Council to track the development. additional funds they received from the consistently recognized as one of the and schools utilize local fruits, vegetables, The Council last year hired Misty Murphy information provided by the companies. “Currently, there is over $77 million in passage of Issue No. 1 in 2012, to increase nation’s top economies. meats, milk and other products. as regional trails coordinator to work with “By collecting this information, it capital investments either underway or their contributions to public transportation. Most Northwest Arkansas residents communities in promoting trails to allows the Chambers of Commerce and planned for the next three years just in With the additional funds, ORT added the Council to go to work on issues that Rogers that we have learned about routes in Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale. are a!ecting employers in a specific through the ER&E surveys,” Cox said. It also created a new rural commuter route 12 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 5 coupled with less expensive move from the far reaches of eastern U-turns, and we expect those U-turns to Achievement improvements to city streets are Springdale to the interstate with less delay. be reduced to near zero,” Brown said. necessary to significantly reduce delays. It also will pull some east-west tra"c Rogers and Bentonville are acquiring A 2012 study by the Texas A&M o! U.S. 412 (Sunset Avenue in Springdale) to land and moving utilities to prepare for Transportation Institute, which was the north and Johnson Mill Boulevard to the large road construction projects that are commissioned by the Northwest south of the Don Tyson Parkway planned. Report Card: Students Improve in Math, Literacy Arkansas Council, showed tra"c connection, said Patsy Christie, Springdale’s Rogers is moving the utilities lines congestion in Benton and Washington planning and community development this year for three projects worth a A Northwest Arkansas-focused numbers and the stories that make a weaknesses. Despite our many bright spots, counties costs about $103 million each director. Additionally, major road combined $36 million scheduled for education report card shows the region’s Northwest Arkansas education great.” there is plenty of room for further growth. year. Regions with similar populations improvements are nearing completion of completion in 2016. Those utility public school students are performing The Northwest Arkansas Report One obvious issue on the horizon is the have congestion relocations are the better in the classroom than they did five Card (www.nwacouncil.org/uploads/ implementation of the Common Core State costs near $60 beginning of two years ago. rc2013.pdf) provides information about Standards. A successful transition could be a million annually, projects that will The 2013 Northwest Arkansas Report how students in school districts boost for education in the region, and the the researchers widen portions of Card, published by the O"ce for Education throughout the region performed on economy in the long term.” said. Tra"c delays Perry and Bellview Policy at the University of Arkansas in Arkansas Benchmark exams, as well as Sarah Taldo-Brothers, a vice president and the ease with roads. The third partnership with the Northwest Arkansas on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and high for Weichert Realtors – The Gri"n Co., said which a company project — one that Council, provided several positive results for school end-of-course exams. There is homebuyers consider schools when can ship products will straighten out Northwest Arkansas students. data about the number of students in identifying where they want to live. She said they Monte Ne Road Among the most encouraging each school district, student a home near a desirable school often sells manufacturer to from Oak Street to improvements was how students are doing demographics, teacher demographics, for a higher price. other parts of the New Hope Road in on the Arkansas Benchmark exams over the expenditures, and graduation rates. “If the buyers have school-aged U.S. are important the eastern part of long term. The report, which shares Additionally, there is information children, schools are one of the first factors considerations the city — is the information about student performance in about Northwest Arkansas colleges and that are discussed,” Brothers said. when companies largest at $15 17 school districts, showed the average universities that is focused on such The report card is one of the education decide where million, said Steve literacy score increased from 69.1 percent in things as financial aid, student retention initiatives from the Greater Northwest they want to Glass, the city’s 2007-08 to 81.3 percent in 2012-13. and the percentage of students who Arkansas Development Strategy being locate new planning and Mathematics scores rose from 73.7 percent earn college degrees. pursued by the Council, its Educational operations, transportation to 78 percent in the same five-year period. Telling the story of Northwest Excellence Work Group and their partners. meaning good director. “Northwest Arkansas is a diverse Arkansas schools is important to Other education-related e!orts related transportation Bentonville started community, which is typified in the K-12 attracting talent to the region. Working to the five-year development strategy and highways are the right-of-way system; parents truly have a choice in the professionals interested in jobs with include Razor C.O.A.C.H., a program to assist helpful to Northwest Arkansas Council members, city mayors and county judges traveled to Little Rock in appraisal process in type of school that they want to send their leading Northwest Arkansas companies, at-risk students in pursuing educational and economic April to celebrate the designation of Interstate 49 in Northwest Arkansas with Arkansas Highway May for the land it student to,” said Michael Crouch, school want to know about such things as the career opportunities after high school development. and Transportation Department Director Scott Bennett and Highway Commissioners Dick will need to build performance evaluator for the O"ce for region’s cost of living, quality of life and graduation; Graduate NWA, a program to The Trammell, Tom Schueck, John Ed Regenold, Robert Moore and Frank Scott. an Eighth Street Education Policy at the University of school systems. The annual report card help nontraditional students complete Connecting interchange at I-49. Arkansas. “School districts across the region is a great way to get an overview of the college degrees and technical certifications; Arkansas Program, Johnson Mill Boulevard, providing a better Two-lane Eighth have seen improvement over the past 10 various school systems. Reach Out NWA, a program to encourage which is being funded by the voter- roadway into the city of Johnson. Street, from I-49 to Southwest I Street, years, even with increasing enrollments “The trend is clearly moving in the high school dropouts to return to the approved sales tax, is providing major In Fayetteville, the city completed the will be widened to five lanes or four lanes across the region. Coupled with improving right direction,” Crouch said. “These classroom; and the Northwest Arkansas benefits to Northwest Arkansas. Many $6.3 million Fayetteville flyover. Funding with a center median, depending on the test scores, the region is also piloting trends have been positive across all Higher Education Consortium, a mechanism Northwest Arkansas Council members from the 2005 federal highway bill paid for location. innovative programs from Pre-K, to helping subjects and age levels. to allow the region’s colleges and were supportive of the sales tax. 80 percent of the project. The city covered The $53 million project involves city, at-risk students, to higher education, and “While the trends are good, it is universities to work together on programs A six-mile portion of the Bella Vista the remainder, said City Engineer Chris state, federal and private funds. There’s beyond. The report card covers both the dangerous to say that we have no of mutual interest. Bypass, costing $53 million, was started Brown. lots of work that must occur before earlier this year and is the first project The flyover should reduce tra"c at construction can start in late 2016 or early funded by the new sales tax. The U.S. 412 College’s intersection with Joyce Boulevard 2017 as the city must acquire land and A Dollar Invested is Worth $284 to Region Bypass of Springdale will be among the near the Northwest Arkansas Mall. It’s one relocate utilities, said Mike Churchwell, Among the Northwest Arkansas Council’s primary goals is to give members a high return on their investments in the first taken on at a projected cost of $125 of the busiest, most contested intersections Bentonville’s transportation engineer. organization. For every dollar provided to the organization, the Council wants there to be large financial investments into projects million. in the entire region, and much of the The major commitments by the and the future success of Northwest Arkansas. Three additional Northwest Arkansas congestion was caused by northbound Arkansas Highway and Transportation The rate of return on the members’ investments from July 1, 1990 through May 31, 2014 was 28,400 percent. To put it another projects are being funded by the sales tax drivers on College who made U-turns so Department, cities and voters should way, for every dollar provided to the Council by members, the region received at least $284. in 2015. they could go south and then west to reach continue to improve tra"c movement in Those investments into the region over the years have included such massive projects as the Northwest Arkansas Regional The region’s largest cities all have I-49. Those U-turns should be less frequent Northwest Arkansas and those Airport and major state and federal highway allocations. This year’s returns on the members’ investments included Northwest their own projects that will dramatically because motorists can use the flyover improvements will continue into 2015 and Arkansas funding for the establishment of compressed natural gas fueling stations, for more public transportation and for the change how tra"c moves. instead. beyond. region’s wayfinding system. Don Tyson Parkway’s $23 million “The tra"c studies estimated that connection to I-49 allows motorists to about 25 percent of left turns at Joyce are

6 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 11 Infrastructure Placemaking

Region’s Highway Building Hits Placemaking: Cities’ Downtowns, Food Highest Point since 1999 Systems are Being Redefined Northwest Arkansas cities are Council contracted with as a resource to upgrading their o!erings as their redefining themselves in a big way by work with Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, populations increase. Bentonville’s focusing on placemaking strategies as a Siloam Springs and Springdale on downtown flourishing downtown restaurants are a way to strengthen and highlight their development. “People want to move to short walk from Crystal Bridges Museum unique qualities as the region grows. places they feel a connection to. of American Art and the Amazeum, a The Northwest Arkansas Council has Communities such as Austin, Asheville, Des children’s museum under identified connected and growing Moines and Ann Arbor were early adopters construction. The Washington Post earlier downtown areas, a robust arts and of that. It wasn’t just the downtowns, either. this year recognized Bentonville for its entertainment scene, “in” restaurant scene active and well- and several of their maintained public chefs performed at the spaces and trails, storied James Beard accessible and House in New York in regionally branded 2013. food and culinary Springdale and options, and proactive Rogers, meanwhile, are growth strategies as making commitments key elements to long- to develop long-term term success. master plans for how “The practice of they’ll go about placemaking is downtown increasingly driving enhancements. regional economic “What’s happening development in Bentonville is a strategies across the game-changer and country,” said Mike that’s motivating Harvey, the Northwest Springdale, Siloam Arkansas Council’s Springs and Rogers,” chief operating o"cer. Parade Magazine in July considered the Siloam Springs downtown area as one of the best said Scott Polikov, “The rationale behind “main streets” in the U.S. It was one of 16 U.S. cities nominated for the honor. founder of Fort Worth, this shift is simple – a Texas-based Gateway talented workforce is just as valuable to It was the cities themselves.” Planning Group in Fort Worth, which The city on July 2 celebrated the opening of the Fayetteville Flyover, a $6.3 million improvement that allows College Avenue motorists to more companies as real estate, roads and taxes Along with helping with master started developing a downtown plan for easily drive to Interstate 49. Motorists became familiar with the flyover’s green appearance in the weeks before the construction was finalized. – and those regions that attract and planning e!orts and supporting the Rogers earlier this year. “In some sense, retain the best talent will win in a downtown organizations, Hintz is helping the communities have all caught the bug.” The half-cent sales tax approved by Bypass of Springdale in November. northbound College Avenue motorists to hypercompetitive 21st Century economy. the cities create downtown dashboards; Polikov said Northwest Arkansas voters in 2012 is starting to reap rewards, Additionally, the state continues to make more easily reach I-49. Regions that are winning the battle for statistical measures to keep up with how cities could use McKinney, Texas as a enabling the Arkansas Highway and major investments into the interstate Northwest Arkansas hasn’t this talent are the regions focused on downtown areas are performing. While each model for what’s possible. McKinney Transportation Department to make highway through the region that was experienced this much big-ticket highway developing the best places for those dashboard will be di!erent, the cities can (population 148,000) protected major investments in two Northwest renamed I-49 this year, taking major steps construction since 1998 when I-49, which workers to live.” use the statistics to track retail markets, downtown’s historic integrity while Arkansas projects this year. forward in its goal of widening the highway was known as I-540 until this year, was Northwest Arkansas, if it’s successful, restaurant sales, downtown o"ce space adding downtown restaurants, small Indeed, 2014 may be looked upon in to six lanes from Bentonville to Fayetteville. finished from Alma to Fayetteville. Total will build on solid foundations to make availability and residential housing units. business o"ces and residential areas. future years as an extraordinary time for Meanwhile, cities are making major road cost of that project was near $450 million; better places, especially in downtowns. Fayetteville, its downtown square, its McKinney in 2012 was ranked No. 2 in Northwest Arkansas in terms of investments of their own. the highway opened to tra"c in January “Over the past two decades, farmers market and the Dickson Street Money Magazine’s list of Best Places to infrastructure improvements. That’s especially true in Springdale and 1999. consumer values have shifted, and they entertainment district on the eastern edge Live. The Highway Department this year Fayetteville. In July, Springdale opened the What’s not known is how much the crave more connections to people and of the University of Arkansas campus have started the largest section of the Bella Don Tyson Parkway connection to I-49, and major projects in the region will reduce places,” said Daniel Hintz, the former long been considered primary hubs of the Vista Bypass and will open construction Fayetteville opened a flyover that allows tra"c congestion, but it’s widely believed Downtown Bentonville director who the region, but other communities are See PLACEMAKING, Page 12 bids for the first section of the U.S. 412 big highway construction projects 10 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 7 Population AMP in Rogers, the Pinnacle Hills Growth Promenade shopping center in Rogers and By the Numbers the Razorback Regional Greenway. Additionally, a children’s museum called Population growth in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area has Rapid Growth Amazeum is planned for Bentonville. been dramatic for nearly 25 years. Statistics kept by the U.S. Census Bureau show how Communities, school districts and consistent and widespread the growth is in the region. institutions of higher education in Percentage growth of Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA between 2010 and 2013. Leads to 500K Northwest Arkansas show up on dozens of 6.2 national rankings lists, recognizing the 8 Metropolitan statistical areas larger than the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA that Milestone cities, their excellent schools, low unemployment, impressive job growth, low grew at a faster rate between 2010 and 2013. There are 105 larger MSAs. Northwest Arkansas reached a new crime rates, a!ordability and business growth milestone this year, welcoming opportunities as key reasons for their 24.2 People per day who were added to the region’s population between April 1, 2010 th the 500,000 resident to the strong showing. and July 1, 2013. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Since 2001, the region has generated Metropolitan Statistical Area. more than 60,000 net new jobs, and 28 The day in May this year when the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA was Noted by the U.S. Census Bureau as average annual wages recently topped expected to reach 500,000 residents. one of the nation’s fastest growing $46,000. With a cost of living 10 to 15 regions during the 1990s and then percent below the national average and a 27.4 People added per day to the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA between April 1, applauded by the Milken Institute as one growing list of world-class amenities, 1990 and April 1, 2000 of the nation’s Best Performing Cities in Northwest Arkansas should continue to be the 2000s, Northwest Arkansas growth a destination for thousands of new 41.6 People added per day to the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA between April 1, remains consistent through today. residents each year. The Census Bureau reported the 2000 and April 1, 2010 Northwest Arkansas population How we did the math Where the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA ranked in overall population in 2013. increased by 24.2 people a day between 106 The Council relied on the U.S. Census April 2010 and July 2013. Assuming that The MSA had 491,966 residents on July 1, 2013, but the region’s growth suggests it has Bureau’s population of April 2010 and the same growth is continued, the Northwest already moved past No. 105 Santa Rosa, Calif. bureau’s population estimate of July 2013 Arkansas Council sta! calculated that the and then assumed that same 24.2 people region reached 500,000 residents on May 20,274 The 1960 population of Fayetteville, the largest Northwest Arkansas city. per day would arrive until the region 28. reached 500,000 residents on May 28, 2014. Because reaching the 500,000 78,960 The U.S. Census Bureau’s estimate of Fayetteville’s population on July 1, 2013. However, it’s an estimate of when the threshold makes the region more likely region reached 500,000. The population to draw the attention of expanding 210,908 The population of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA on April 1, 1990. Laura Guenthner’s photo of her 4-year-old son, Cannon, on the Bentonville Square won the may have reached 500,000 far sooner. businesses across the country, the Council Northwest Arkansas Council’s photo contest in May. The contest helped celebrate the fact that For example, if the Council had used spearheaded an information campaign 311,121 The population of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA on April 1, 2000. the percentage of growth that occurred about the milestone. each day between April 2010 and July 2013 The Council shared information region where so much is happening.” than in 1990. Additionally, Northwest 463,204 The population of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA on April 1, 2010. (instead of saying 24.2 people a day, you’d about 500K with media outlets and those What’s special about Northwest Arkansas is home to one of the world’s say the MSA grew by 0.00005231676 newspapers, websites, radio stations and Arkansas is that its growth is so widespread. largest populations of Marshallese people. percent per day), the calculation would television stations conveyed messages to Northwest Arkansas now boasts four cities “We’re proud that diverse individuals Another way to size up growth is to look at the U.S. Census Bureau’s population have built on the previous day’s growth 980,000 people. Mitchell — Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and have helped spur this growth, change between 2010 and 2013 in Northwest Arkansas cities versus other Arkansas and the region would have reached Communications Group worked with Springdale — with at least 40,000 residents. demonstrating the breadth of cities. 500,000 residents in early May instead of Council sta! to put together a 30-second The Census Bureau reports that all four of opportunities that Northwest Arkansas late May. video about reaching 500K, and Mitchell those cities between 2010 and 2013 added o!ers to a wide range of people,” said Another option would have been to helped sta! organize a social-media more people to their populations than Little Mireya Reith, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas cities Other Arkansas cities use the growth that occurred between the photo contest that encouraged residents Rock, the state’s largest city. Arkansas United Community Coalition in 2000 and 2010 censuses or only the growth Springdale 4.58 Conway 4.13 to share favorite pictures of the region. But regional growth isn’t limited to Fayetteville. “As a Mexican-American that the Census Bureau estimated There were more than 300 contest those four cities. While about 16.7 of each woman who grew up in Northwest Fayetteville 4.53 Jonesboro 3.61 occurred between July 2012 and July 2013, entries. A message shared by Council sta! day’s new residents are in those cities, every Arkansas and whose family has called this Bentonville 4.10 the most recent estimate that’s available. Little Rock 3.23 about the milestone reached 150,000 city of at least 500 residents in Benton or region home for more than two decades, In either of those cases, the calculation Rogers 3.49 Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. Washington counties saw its population the growth comes as no surprise.” North Little Rock 3.18 would have determined the MSA hit Bella Vista 1.00 “People in every corner of Arkansas increase during the three-year period. The region’s other most notable 500,000 residents far earlier than May of Bryant 2.23 knew we’d reached the milestone,” said Since 1990, Northwest Arkansas has changes as the population has surged is in Centerton 0.88 this year. Mike Malone, the Council’s president and more than doubled its population and the quality-of-life amenities. Just since 2008, Gravette 0.75 Fort Smith 1.21 Any of those scenarios and most CEO. “The comments we received were most notable change is how the region has the region has added Arvest Ballpark in others based on Census Bureau statistics Siloam Springs 0.69 Texarkana 0.08 overwhelmingly positive and people were become more diverse. There are far more Springdale, Crystal Bridges Museum of result in the same conclusion: the Lowell 0.52 excited to live in such a fast-growing Hispanics, African-Americans and Asians American Art in Bentonville, the Walmart

8 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 9 Population AMP in Rogers, the Pinnacle Hills Growth Promenade shopping center in Rogers and By the Numbers the Razorback Regional Greenway. Additionally, a children’s museum called Population growth in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area has Rapid Growth Amazeum is planned for Bentonville. been dramatic for nearly 25 years. Statistics kept by the U.S. Census Bureau show how Communities, school districts and consistent and widespread the growth is in the region. institutions of higher education in Percentage growth of Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA between 2010 and 2013. Leads to 500K Northwest Arkansas show up on dozens of 6.2 national rankings lists, recognizing the 8 Metropolitan statistical areas larger than the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA that Milestone cities, their excellent schools, low unemployment, impressive job growth, low grew at a faster rate between 2010 and 2013. There are 105 larger MSAs. Northwest Arkansas reached a new crime rates, a!ordability and business growth milestone this year, welcoming opportunities as key reasons for their 24.2 People per day who were added to the region’s population between April 1, 2010 th the 500,000 resident to the strong showing. and July 1, 2013. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Since 2001, the region has generated Metropolitan Statistical Area. more than 60,000 net new jobs, and 28 The day in May this year when the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA was Noted by the U.S. Census Bureau as average annual wages recently topped expected to reach 500,000 residents. one of the nation’s fastest growing $46,000. With a cost of living 10 to 15 regions during the 1990s and then percent below the national average and a 27.4 People added per day to the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA between April 1, applauded by the Milken Institute as one growing list of world-class amenities, 1990 and April 1, 2000 of the nation’s Best Performing Cities in Northwest Arkansas should continue to be the 2000s, Northwest Arkansas growth a destination for thousands of new 41.6 People added per day to the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA between April 1, remains consistent through today. residents each year. The Census Bureau reported the 2000 and April 1, 2010 Northwest Arkansas population How we did the math Where the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA ranked in overall population in 2013. increased by 24.2 people a day between 106 The Council relied on the U.S. Census April 2010 and July 2013. Assuming that The MSA had 491,966 residents on July 1, 2013, but the region’s growth suggests it has Bureau’s population of April 2010 and the same growth is continued, the Northwest already moved past No. 105 Santa Rosa, Calif. bureau’s population estimate of July 2013 Arkansas Council sta! calculated that the and then assumed that same 24.2 people region reached 500,000 residents on May 20,274 The 1960 population of Fayetteville, the largest Northwest Arkansas city. per day would arrive until the region 28. reached 500,000 residents on May 28, 2014. Because reaching the 500,000 78,960 The U.S. Census Bureau’s estimate of Fayetteville’s population on July 1, 2013. However, it’s an estimate of when the threshold makes the region more likely region reached 500,000. The population to draw the attention of expanding 210,908 The population of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA on April 1, 1990. Laura Guenthner’s photo of her 4-year-old son, Cannon, on the Bentonville Square won the may have reached 500,000 far sooner. businesses across the country, the Council Northwest Arkansas Council’s photo contest in May. The contest helped celebrate the fact that For example, if the Council had used spearheaded an information campaign 311,121 The population of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA on April 1, 2000. the percentage of growth that occurred about the milestone. each day between April 2010 and July 2013 The Council shared information region where so much is happening.” than in 1990. Additionally, Northwest 463,204 The population of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA on April 1, 2010. (instead of saying 24.2 people a day, you’d about 500K with media outlets and those What’s special about Northwest Arkansas is home to one of the world’s say the MSA grew by 0.00005231676 newspapers, websites, radio stations and Arkansas is that its growth is so widespread. largest populations of Marshallese people. percent per day), the calculation would television stations conveyed messages to Northwest Arkansas now boasts four cities “We’re proud that diverse individuals Another way to size up growth is to look at the U.S. Census Bureau’s population have built on the previous day’s growth 980,000 people. Mitchell — Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and have helped spur this growth, change between 2010 and 2013 in Northwest Arkansas cities versus other Arkansas and the region would have reached Communications Group worked with Springdale — with at least 40,000 residents. demonstrating the breadth of cities. 500,000 residents in early May instead of Council sta! to put together a 30-second The Census Bureau reports that all four of opportunities that Northwest Arkansas late May. video about reaching 500K, and Mitchell those cities between 2010 and 2013 added o!ers to a wide range of people,” said Another option would have been to helped sta! organize a social-media more people to their populations than Little Mireya Reith, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas cities Other Arkansas cities use the growth that occurred between the photo contest that encouraged residents Rock, the state’s largest city. Arkansas United Community Coalition in 2000 and 2010 censuses or only the growth Springdale 4.58 Conway 4.13 to share favorite pictures of the region. But regional growth isn’t limited to Fayetteville. “As a Mexican-American that the Census Bureau estimated There were more than 300 contest those four cities. While about 16.7 of each woman who grew up in Northwest Fayetteville 4.53 Jonesboro 3.61 occurred between July 2012 and July 2013, entries. A message shared by Council sta! day’s new residents are in those cities, every Arkansas and whose family has called this Bentonville 4.10 the most recent estimate that’s available. Little Rock 3.23 about the milestone reached 150,000 city of at least 500 residents in Benton or region home for more than two decades, In either of those cases, the calculation Rogers 3.49 Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. Washington counties saw its population the growth comes as no surprise.” North Little Rock 3.18 would have determined the MSA hit Bella Vista 1.00 “People in every corner of Arkansas increase during the three-year period. The region’s other most notable 500,000 residents far earlier than May of Bryant 2.23 knew we’d reached the milestone,” said Since 1990, Northwest Arkansas has changes as the population has surged is in Centerton 0.88 this year. Mike Malone, the Council’s president and more than doubled its population and the quality-of-life amenities. Just since 2008, Gravette 0.75 Fort Smith 1.21 Any of those scenarios and most CEO. “The comments we received were most notable change is how the region has the region has added Arvest Ballpark in others based on Census Bureau statistics Siloam Springs 0.69 Texarkana 0.08 overwhelmingly positive and people were become more diverse. There are far more Springdale, Crystal Bridges Museum of result in the same conclusion: the Lowell 0.52 excited to live in such a fast-growing Hispanics, African-Americans and Asians American Art in Bentonville, the Walmart

8 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 9 Infrastructure Placemaking

Region’s Highway Building Hits Placemaking: Cities’ Downtowns, Food Highest Point since 1999 Systems are Being Redefined Northwest Arkansas cities are Council contracted with as a resource to upgrading their o!erings as their redefining themselves in a big way by work with Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, populations increase. Bentonville’s focusing on placemaking strategies as a Siloam Springs and Springdale on downtown flourishing downtown restaurants are a way to strengthen and highlight their development. “People want to move to short walk from Crystal Bridges Museum unique qualities as the region grows. places they feel a connection to. of American Art and the Amazeum, a The Northwest Arkansas Council has Communities such as Austin, Asheville, Des children’s museum under identified connected and growing Moines and Ann Arbor were early adopters construction. The Washington Post earlier downtown areas, a robust arts and of that. It wasn’t just the downtowns, either. this year recognized Bentonville for its entertainment scene, “in” restaurant scene active and well- and several of their maintained public chefs performed at the spaces and trails, storied James Beard accessible and House in New York in regionally branded 2013. food and culinary Springdale and options, and proactive Rogers, meanwhile, are growth strategies as making commitments key elements to long- to develop long-term term success. master plans for how “The practice of they’ll go about placemaking is downtown increasingly driving enhancements. regional economic “What’s happening development in Bentonville is a strategies across the game-changer and country,” said Mike that’s motivating Harvey, the Northwest Springdale, Siloam Arkansas Council’s Springs and Rogers,” chief operating o"cer. Parade Magazine in July considered the Siloam Springs downtown area as one of the best said Scott Polikov, “The rationale behind “main streets” in the U.S. It was one of 16 U.S. cities nominated for the honor. founder of Fort Worth, this shift is simple – a Texas-based Gateway talented workforce is just as valuable to It was the cities themselves.” Planning Group in Fort Worth, which The city on July 2 celebrated the opening of the Fayetteville Flyover, a $6.3 million improvement that allows College Avenue motorists to more companies as real estate, roads and taxes Along with helping with master started developing a downtown plan for easily drive to Interstate 49. Motorists became familiar with the flyover’s green appearance in the weeks before the construction was finalized. – and those regions that attract and planning e!orts and supporting the Rogers earlier this year. “In some sense, retain the best talent will win in a downtown organizations, Hintz is helping the communities have all caught the bug.” The half-cent sales tax approved by Bypass of Springdale in November. northbound College Avenue motorists to hypercompetitive 21st Century economy. the cities create downtown dashboards; Polikov said Northwest Arkansas voters in 2012 is starting to reap rewards, Additionally, the state continues to make more easily reach I-49. Regions that are winning the battle for statistical measures to keep up with how cities could use McKinney, Texas as a enabling the Arkansas Highway and major investments into the interstate Northwest Arkansas hasn’t this talent are the regions focused on downtown areas are performing. While each model for what’s possible. McKinney Transportation Department to make highway through the region that was experienced this much big-ticket highway developing the best places for those dashboard will be di!erent, the cities can (population 148,000) protected major investments in two Northwest renamed I-49 this year, taking major steps construction since 1998 when I-49, which workers to live.” use the statistics to track retail markets, downtown’s historic integrity while Arkansas projects this year. forward in its goal of widening the highway was known as I-540 until this year, was Northwest Arkansas, if it’s successful, restaurant sales, downtown o"ce space adding downtown restaurants, small Indeed, 2014 may be looked upon in to six lanes from Bentonville to Fayetteville. finished from Alma to Fayetteville. Total will build on solid foundations to make availability and residential housing units. business o"ces and residential areas. future years as an extraordinary time for Meanwhile, cities are making major road cost of that project was near $450 million; better places, especially in downtowns. Fayetteville, its downtown square, its McKinney in 2012 was ranked No. 2 in Northwest Arkansas in terms of investments of their own. the highway opened to tra"c in January “Over the past two decades, farmers market and the Dickson Street Money Magazine’s list of Best Places to infrastructure improvements. That’s especially true in Springdale and 1999. consumer values have shifted, and they entertainment district on the eastern edge Live. The Highway Department this year Fayetteville. In July, Springdale opened the What’s not known is how much the crave more connections to people and of the University of Arkansas campus have started the largest section of the Bella Don Tyson Parkway connection to I-49, and major projects in the region will reduce places,” said Daniel Hintz, the former long been considered primary hubs of the Vista Bypass and will open construction Fayetteville opened a flyover that allows tra"c congestion, but it’s widely believed Downtown Bentonville director who the region, but other communities are See PLACEMAKING, Page 12 bids for the first section of the U.S. 412 big highway construction projects 10 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 7 coupled with less expensive move from the far reaches of eastern U-turns, and we expect those U-turns to Achievement improvements to city streets are Springdale to the interstate with less delay. be reduced to near zero,” Brown said. necessary to significantly reduce delays. It also will pull some east-west tra"c Rogers and Bentonville are acquiring A 2012 study by the Texas A&M o! U.S. 412 (Sunset Avenue in Springdale) to land and moving utilities to prepare for Transportation Institute, which was the north and Johnson Mill Boulevard to the large road construction projects that are commissioned by the Northwest south of the Don Tyson Parkway planned. Report Card: Students Improve in Math, Literacy Arkansas Council, showed tra"c connection, said Patsy Christie, Springdale’s Rogers is moving the utilities lines congestion in Benton and Washington planning and community development this year for three projects worth a A Northwest Arkansas-focused numbers and the stories that make a weaknesses. Despite our many bright spots, counties costs about $103 million each director. Additionally, major road combined $36 million scheduled for education report card shows the region’s Northwest Arkansas education great.” there is plenty of room for further growth. year. Regions with similar populations improvements are nearing completion of completion in 2016. Those utility public school students are performing The Northwest Arkansas Report One obvious issue on the horizon is the have congestion relocations are the better in the classroom than they did five Card (www.nwacouncil.org/uploads/ implementation of the Common Core State costs near $60 beginning of two years ago. rc2013.pdf) provides information about Standards. A successful transition could be a million annually, projects that will The 2013 Northwest Arkansas Report how students in school districts boost for education in the region, and the the researchers widen portions of Card, published by the O"ce for Education throughout the region performed on economy in the long term.” said. Tra"c delays Perry and Bellview Policy at the University of Arkansas in Arkansas Benchmark exams, as well as Sarah Taldo-Brothers, a vice president and the ease with roads. The third partnership with the Northwest Arkansas on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and high for Weichert Realtors – The Gri"n Co., said which a company project — one that Council, provided several positive results for school end-of-course exams. There is homebuyers consider schools when can ship products will straighten out Northwest Arkansas students. data about the number of students in identifying where they want to live. She said they Monte Ne Road Among the most encouraging each school district, student a home near a desirable school often sells manufacturer to from Oak Street to improvements was how students are doing demographics, teacher demographics, for a higher price. other parts of the New Hope Road in on the Arkansas Benchmark exams over the expenditures, and graduation rates. “If the buyers have school-aged U.S. are important the eastern part of long term. The report, which shares Additionally, there is information children, schools are one of the first factors considerations the city — is the information about student performance in about Northwest Arkansas colleges and that are discussed,” Brothers said. when companies largest at $15 17 school districts, showed the average universities that is focused on such The report card is one of the education decide where million, said Steve literacy score increased from 69.1 percent in things as financial aid, student retention initiatives from the Greater Northwest they want to Glass, the city’s 2007-08 to 81.3 percent in 2012-13. and the percentage of students who Arkansas Development Strategy being locate new planning and Mathematics scores rose from 73.7 percent earn college degrees. pursued by the Council, its Educational operations, transportation to 78 percent in the same five-year period. Telling the story of Northwest Excellence Work Group and their partners. meaning good director. “Northwest Arkansas is a diverse Arkansas schools is important to Other education-related e!orts related transportation Bentonville started community, which is typified in the K-12 attracting talent to the region. Working to the five-year development strategy and highways are the right-of-way system; parents truly have a choice in the professionals interested in jobs with include Razor C.O.A.C.H., a program to assist helpful to Northwest Arkansas Council members, city mayors and county judges traveled to Little Rock in appraisal process in type of school that they want to send their leading Northwest Arkansas companies, at-risk students in pursuing educational and economic April to celebrate the designation of Interstate 49 in Northwest Arkansas with Arkansas Highway May for the land it student to,” said Michael Crouch, school want to know about such things as the career opportunities after high school development. and Transportation Department Director Scott Bennett and Highway Commissioners Dick will need to build performance evaluator for the O"ce for region’s cost of living, quality of life and graduation; Graduate NWA, a program to The Trammell, Tom Schueck, John Ed Regenold, Robert Moore and Frank Scott. an Eighth Street Education Policy at the University of school systems. The annual report card help nontraditional students complete Connecting interchange at I-49. Arkansas. “School districts across the region is a great way to get an overview of the college degrees and technical certifications; Arkansas Program, Johnson Mill Boulevard, providing a better Two-lane Eighth have seen improvement over the past 10 various school systems. Reach Out NWA, a program to encourage which is being funded by the voter- roadway into the city of Johnson. Street, from I-49 to Southwest I Street, years, even with increasing enrollments “The trend is clearly moving in the high school dropouts to return to the approved sales tax, is providing major In Fayetteville, the city completed the will be widened to five lanes or four lanes across the region. Coupled with improving right direction,” Crouch said. “These classroom; and the Northwest Arkansas benefits to Northwest Arkansas. Many $6.3 million Fayetteville flyover. Funding with a center median, depending on the test scores, the region is also piloting trends have been positive across all Higher Education Consortium, a mechanism Northwest Arkansas Council members from the 2005 federal highway bill paid for location. innovative programs from Pre-K, to helping subjects and age levels. to allow the region’s colleges and were supportive of the sales tax. 80 percent of the project. The city covered The $53 million project involves city, at-risk students, to higher education, and “While the trends are good, it is universities to work together on programs A six-mile portion of the Bella Vista the remainder, said City Engineer Chris state, federal and private funds. There’s beyond. The report card covers both the dangerous to say that we have no of mutual interest. Bypass, costing $53 million, was started Brown. lots of work that must occur before earlier this year and is the first project The flyover should reduce tra"c at construction can start in late 2016 or early funded by the new sales tax. The U.S. 412 College’s intersection with Joyce Boulevard 2017 as the city must acquire land and A Dollar Invested is Worth $284 to Region Bypass of Springdale will be among the near the Northwest Arkansas Mall. It’s one relocate utilities, said Mike Churchwell, Among the Northwest Arkansas Council’s primary goals is to give members a high return on their investments in the first taken on at a projected cost of $125 of the busiest, most contested intersections Bentonville’s transportation engineer. organization. For every dollar provided to the organization, the Council wants there to be large financial investments into projects million. in the entire region, and much of the The major commitments by the and the future success of Northwest Arkansas. Three additional Northwest Arkansas congestion was caused by northbound Arkansas Highway and Transportation The rate of return on the members’ investments from July 1, 1990 through May 31, 2014 was 28,400 percent. To put it another projects are being funded by the sales tax drivers on College who made U-turns so Department, cities and voters should way, for every dollar provided to the Council by members, the region received at least $284. in 2015. they could go south and then west to reach continue to improve tra"c movement in Those investments into the region over the years have included such massive projects as the Northwest Arkansas Regional The region’s largest cities all have I-49. Those U-turns should be less frequent Northwest Arkansas and those Airport and major state and federal highway allocations. This year’s returns on the members’ investments included Northwest their own projects that will dramatically because motorists can use the flyover improvements will continue into 2015 and Arkansas funding for the establishment of compressed natural gas fueling stations, for more public transportation and for the change how tra"c moves. instead. beyond. region’s wayfinding system. Don Tyson Parkway’s $23 million “The tra"c studies estimated that connection to I-49 allows motorists to about 25 percent of left turns at Joyce are

6 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 11 NWA Economy Council Loses a Founding Member ER&E Program Ed Bradberry, one of the just nice and it permeated his Northwest Arkansas Council’s attitude.” Looks Strong founding members Bradberry was born in recognized as a successful Crossett, grew up in Survey: Employers Predict 2,000 New Jobs Through 2020 businessman, community Monticello, and attended leader and philanthropist, Rice University where he met Northwest Arkansas Chambers of community or to work to address regional “Getting feedback on potential issues has died in June. his wife, Karlee. He worked Commerce and the Northwest Arkansas challenges,” said Mike Harvey, the been valuable as the input from our A report published in June Bradberry, a Fayetteville for several companies in the Council determined early this year that Council’s chief operating o"cer. members helps shape the programs that the predicted Northwest Arkansas will be resident who was one of the Ed Bradberry petroleum industry before local companies planned to add more There are many examples of tasks Chamber o!ers moving forward. Having the third fastest-growing economy University of Arkansas’ most founding Continental Ozark, than 2,000 more new workers. taken on by area Chambers of Commerce hard data that more than one industry or among large metropolitan areas in the generous benefactors, was 82 years old. where he was CEO for 17 years. He later The information, which was because needs were identified during business faces a problem has helped speed U.S. through 2020. "Ed Bradberry was one of the finest started his own investment firm, B & B collected in 529 interviews in 2013 by interviews. The Siloam Springs Chamber of up the resolution process and helps keep The forecast, prepared by IHS people I have ever known,” said UA Resources, serving as CEO for 45 years. He outreach specialists from Chambers of Commerce helped Gates Corporation Rogers and Lowell as top business-friendly Global Insight, was released at the U.S. Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “He was made Northwest Arkansas his home in the Commerce in Bentonville/Bella Vista, with employees making job transfers from communities.” Conference of Mayors annual meeting extraordinarily generous to so many 1970s, and he became active in the Fayetteville, Rogers-Lowell, Siloam North Carolina by arranging school visits, Council sta! worked on several regional in Dallas. The report shows the important philanthropies, including the community as a business leader and Springs and Springdale, was gathered as Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers University of Arkansas. He was a real philanthropist. part of the annual Employer Retention Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) gentleman, a renaissance man in so many Bradberry was a charter member of and Expansion (ER&E) program. economy should grow by 4.2 percent ways, with so many interests." the Council and the Northwest Arkansas Among the most significant findings annually through 2020. Only the State Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, retired Regional Airport Authority, reflecting his in the 2013 survey: economies of the Austin-Round Rock- executive director of the Council, commitment to the region’s growth. San Marcos MSA in Texas (4.4 percent) § Employers indicated they would hire described Bradberry as “always the voice He also had deep ties to the and Raleigh-Cary (MSA) in North 2,037 new workers in the next three of doing the right thing.” University of Arkansas. In 2003, Bradberry Carolina (4.3 percent) are expected to years. Employers surveyed in 2012 “Ed was a level-headed, pragmatic and his wife were recognized in the grow at a faster rate. expected to fill 965 new positions business person and had a sense of do the Towers of Old Main, which honors the "This report confirms some trends over three years. right thing always,” Lindsey said. “He was UA’s most generous benefactors. that we already know about the § Employers planned to invest $195 Arkansas economy,” said Kathy Deck, a million in expansions over three University of Arkansas economist. years. “The majority of the state's economic OUTREACH From Page 4 region’s growing business startup scene and § Employers in 2013 identified more output comes from our two largest the development of a disposable insulin than three times as many metropolitan areas and, in particular, national media outlets, industry trade patch pump by a Fayetteville company. “community strengths” as the fast rate of growth of Northwest journals and online publications to ensure DCI also helped share information “community weaknesses” when Arkansas means that the state will that they know about important news. about the region reaching 500,000 asked about Northwest Arkansas. increasingly rely on the region's Spurred by DCI, publications across the residents in May. Benton noticed that The “strengths-to-weaknesses” ratio success for the state's prosperity. The U.S. have written about Northwest communication when it was shared. was similar in 2012. projected high rate of growth for the Arkansas topics such as the preservation “That’s something that would be § Respondents gave the region high Mike Harvey of the Northwest Arkansas Council talks with reporters, chamber of commerce gross metropolitan product in of Fayetteville’s Mount Kessler, the impressive,” she said. “But not having marks for its business climate, Northwest Arkansas is a result of the Razorback Regional Greenway, the 500,000 is something that could eliminate vibrant economy and quality of life. enormous and varied number of § Respondents listed infrastructure, meetings with real-estate agents, and by issues raised during ER&E interviews in 2012 infrastructure, education, and skilled labor availability and setting up community tours. Thirty and 2013. Those included assisting Ozark community investments that have PLACEMAKING From Page 7 in a survey said they’d purchase locally transportation as top concerns. families decided to make the move to Regional Transit with its goal of expanding been made over the past couple of produced foods if they were available. Arkansas, said Cindy Christopher of the its bus routes. decades." The work to support Northwest Karp’s assessment describes a plan for The ER&E program allows outreach Gates Corporation. “The Council was key in providing the The full report showed the Arkansas downtowns is occurring as new making local food more available. specialists to interview representatives of The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of support and statistical data that many of Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA in attention is helping local farmers and The infrastructure projects that leadership teams at businesses, nonprofit Commerce has used the information the entities we met with used or relied 2013 had the nation’s seventh fastest- food businesses e!ectively make their support placemaking include the organizations and local governments. The gleaned in ER&E interviews to shape upon in making their decisions about growing economy among large food available to local consumers. In July, Razorback Regional Greenway that responses are entered into the programs o!ered to members and to funding,” said Joel Gardner, ORT’s general metropolitan areas. It grew 3.8 percent Karp Resources in New York presented its connect the downtowns of Bentonville, Synchronist Business Information System learn about members’ needs, said Steve manager. last year, the report showed. findings, showing what needs to occur to Rogers and Fayetteville as well as the database maintained by the Council. It Cox, vice president of economic Communities responded, using Northwest Arkansas is help such places as restaurants, hospitals region’s impressive mountain bike trails. allows the Council to track the development. additional funds they received from the consistently recognized as one of the and schools utilize local fruits, vegetables, The Council last year hired Misty Murphy information provided by the companies. “Currently, there is over $77 million in passage of Issue No. 1 in 2012, to increase nation’s top economies. meats, milk and other products. as regional trails coordinator to work with “By collecting this information, it capital investments either underway or their contributions to public transportation. Most Northwest Arkansas residents communities in promoting trails to allows the Chambers of Commerce and planned for the next three years just in With the additional funds, ORT added the Council to go to work on issues that Rogers that we have learned about routes in Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale. are a!ecting employers in a specific through the ER&E surveys,” Cox said. It also created a new rural commuter route 12 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 5 Outreach Strategic Plan Council Works to Tell Region’s Story Council Starts Development of

Economic developers in Northwest Arkansas work hard to keep the region New Three-Year Strategy on the list of places companies are considering for expansions, hoping the A mid-course assessment there are opportunities to establish a more Northwest Arkansas as he helps put right combination of factors result in determined that so many components of aggressive program of work and also together the region’s new three-year plan. major jobs announcements. the 2011-2015 Greater Northwest Arkansas address the threat of losing momentum.” “Ted’s conversations with people in Site selectors, the people who help Development Strategy are complete that In its report, Economic Leadership Northwest Arkansas as part of his mid- companies evaluate where they should it’s time for the region’s leaders to take noted that several of the strategic actions course assessment told us our next plan expand, work just as hard to eliminate on a new set of challenges. accomplished such as the establishment of a should have fewer than the 55 strategic Northwest Arkansas and every other Most aspects of the five-year regional wayfinding system and organizing a actions than there were in the original community, knowing that they can development strategy, which was regional diversity summit “will make all five-year plan,” said Mike Malone, the evaluate communities e!ectively if they launched in January 2011, are either fully future e!orts easier and di"cult projects Council’s president and CEO. “He’s said it can get down to a short list of finalists. complete or established in a way that will possible.” “Collaboration is made possible may be that we need fewer, more That’s how the business of company allow for ongoing, future success. by trust, and trust is developed over time impactful undertakings in our next plan expansions works, and 2013 proved to be The mid-course assessment by and is usually dependent on past actions, and that’s one of the things he will help us a banner year for Northwest Arkansas in Raleigh, N.C.-based Economic Leadership recognized proficiency, or alignment of determine. terms of big-time jobs announcements earlier this year suggested that the beliefs,” Abernathy wrote. “The successes of “Ted has an incredible knowledge and expansions. The region stayed on Northwest Arkansas Council and its the implementation over the past three about what makes regions successful on a lots of site selectors’ short lists. partners should finish up the five-year years are, in part, due to the quality of the national level, and we want to use his In a five-month span, Serco strategy’s key components in 2014 and leadership and sta! of the Council.” insight to shape where we should go in announced it would provide about 1,500 Kristen E. Gibson, assistant professor of molecular food safety microbiology at the University of that it should turn 2015 into the first year Abernathy over the next few months our new three-year plan. We know for jobs in Rogers, Redman and Associates Arkansas, leads trade journalists on a tour of her research laboratory in July. of a new three-year strategic plan. will meet with business, government and certain that we can build on our first said it would move 74 jobs from China to The Council’s Executive Committee economic development leaders in plan’s success.” Rogers, and South Coast Baking said it “This is an important group for us,” said “One of the weaknesses you do have approved development of the new would bring an operation to Springdale, Mike Harvey, the Council’s chief operating is just knowledge about the area,” Watson three-year plan at its meeting in June. providing for 150 jobs. o"cer. “They’re handling about 70 percent said. “It’s not a well-known area beyond Economic Leadership will lead the Those jobs came as Northwest of the significant location work that we see, Walmart, and so you’ve got to work to e!ort, and the new, written strategic Arkansas is just starting to gain visibility so establishing these relationships and introduce more [site selectors] to it.” plan should be complete by on a national stage and the Northwest learning more about their process makes a Alison Benton, a site selector for December. Arkansas Council is working with local di!erence for us in the long run.” Aliquantis in Dallas, said site selectors are Ted Abernathy, the Managing chambers of commerce and Yet, often people in Northwest familiar with the area but not nearly Partner of Economic Leadership and Development Counsellors International Arkansas and other regions across the U.S. enough have visited the region. Benton economic policy advisor to the (DCI) of New York to accelerate the never know they were candidates for was in the region for a client who wanted Southern Governors' Association, said region’s economic development. It’s company expansions, said Ray Watson, a to consolidate some scattered U.S. Northwest Arkansas partners have location in the central U.S., its abundance Dallas site selector with MaximusAlliance. manufacturing operations into the same done well in pursuing the objectives of white-collar workers, its talent from Northwest Arkansas, for example, was region, but the project wasn’t completed. and strategic actions described in the the colleges and universities, its considered last year as one of 98 possible “How you’ll do depends on whether five-year plan. The goals in the five- entrepreneurial culture, and its sites for a 1,000-job call center because of someone has been there,” Benton said. year plan centered on topics related recognition as a center of excellence for its workforce, its high percentage of people “Northwest Arkansas on paper seems to better schools, infrastructure retail, logistics and food, work in the who speak both Spanish and English, and its extremely remote but is in a central upgrades, improving community region’s favor. central U.S. location, Watson said. However, location in the U.S. If you haven’t been vitality and increasing job To highlight those strengths, DCI Northwest Arkansas was eliminated because there, it’s hard to get your mind wrapped opportunities in Northwest Arkansas. helps the Council coordinate meetings it didn’t meet certain “critical success around what’s really there. The numbers “We found that everyone in with site selectors in cities such as factors” that included having a high show there’s lots of business activity, but Northwest Arkansas deserves Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and New York. unemployment rate and a population of at what’s it look like and what’s it feel like? congratulations for diligently and In the fall, a group of site least 1 million people. Both population and People in New York just have no idea.” systematically implementing the selectors will be visiting Northwest high unemployment were important Additionally, the Council has a recommendations from the strategy,” Ted Abernathy, managing partner of Economic Leadership and economic policy advisor to the Arkansas to learn more about why because the call center is expected to have contract with DCI, a place marketing Abernathy wrote in his mid-term Southern Governors’ Association, talks with Tim McFarland and Mike Harvey. Abernathy helped the business expansions would make high employee turnover. The call center agency, that includes reaching out to assessment completed earlier this year. sense for many companies. ended up in Texas. “We also found that as the Council Northwest Arkansas Council determine whether work described in the Greater Northwest Arkansas Development Strategy is being completed on schedule. He traveled to Northwest Arkansas this year See OUTREACH, Page 12 moves forward for the next few years,

4 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 13 Mark Simmons, chairman of Simmons Foods Inc., is the outgoing presiding co-chair of the Northwest Arkansas Council. Earlier this year, Simmons was inducted this year into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam’s Club, takes over as the Northwest Arkansas Council’s presiding co-chair. In 2013, Forbes recognized her as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. O!cers of the Council

Position Held O!cer Presiding Co-Chair (2013-2014) Mark Simmons Presiding Co-Chair (2014-2015) Rosalind Brewer Past Presiding Co-Chair (2012-2013) John Tyson Vice Chair / Secretary / Treasurer Scott Van Laningham Chair Emeritus Alice Walton Chair Emeritus John Paul Hammerschmidt A cyclist rides across a bridge on a section of the Clear Creek Trail that’s north of the Northwest Arkansas Mall. The trial’s opening was celebrated by the cities of Johnson and Fayetteville in April this year. Members of the Executive Committee Table of Contents Type of Appointment 2013-2014 Outreach 4 (term of appointment) Executive Committee The world is learning about region, thanks to the Council’s work with a New York firm Presiding Co-Chair Mark Simmons (1-year term) ER&E Program 5 Region’s companies predict they’ll hire at least 2,000 workers over next three years Vice Chair / Secretary / Treasurer Scott Van Laningham (indefinite term) Achievement 6 President of NWA Wayne Mays Northwest Arkansas students are improving in mathematics, literacy Chambers of Commerce (through January 2015) Co-Chair’s Appointees Rick Barrows Placemaking 7 (1-year term) John Elrod Council and its partners support work to improve downtowns, support local food Nominating Committee Becky Paneitz Representative #1 (3-year term) (term expires in 2014) Population Growth 8 Region’s population reached an important milestone on May 28 Nominating Committee Chip Pollard Representative #2 (3-year term) (term expires in 2015) Infrastructure 10 Nominating Committee Mitchell Johnson Highway investments by state, cities raise spending to highest point since 1999 Representative #3 (3-year term) (term expires in 2016) Economic Growth 12 Study: Northwest Arkansas economy should be among the best through 2020 Strategic Plan 13 2013-2014 MAJOR INVESTORS The Council nears the end of five-year plan, new three-year plan in the works Leadership 14 Sam’s Club leader will serve as the Council’s presiding co-chair in 2014-15 Members 15 The Council includes more than 100 business and civic leaders in Northwest Arkansas

14 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 3 2013-2014 Members Jay Allen, Jay Allen Communications Peter Lane, Walton Arts Center Don Bacigalupi, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Randy Laney, Empire District Electric Co. Dick Barclay, Beall Barclay Randy Lawson, Lawco Exploration Susan Barrett, Consultant Greg Lee, Tyson Foods (retired) Rick Barrows, Multi-Craft Contractors, Inc. Jim Lindsey, Lindsey Management Co., Inc. Ne! Basore, Cooper Communities, Inc. Je! Long, University of Arkansas Fadil Bayyari, Bayyari Construction and Properties Bill Mathews, McDonalds of Northwest Arkansas Rod Bigelow, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art David Matthews, Matthews, Campbell, Rhoads, McClure & Thompson Rob Boaz, Carroll Electric Cooperative Corp. Wayne Mays, Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce Ed Bradberry, B & B Resources Tim McFarland, Elevate Performance Bill Bradley, Washington Regional Medical Center Dan McKay, Northwest Health System Rosalind Brewer, Sam’s Club Je! Milford, AEP SWEPCO Mary Beth Brooks, Bank of Fayetteville Elise Mitchell, Mitchell Communications Group Tim Broughton, McKee Foods Mike Moss, Moss Financial Group John Brown III, Windgate Foundation Becky Paneitz, Inseitz Group Frank Broyles, University of Arkansas Neal Pendergraft, Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Raymond Burns, Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce Gene Pharr, Arkansas Farm Bureau Wayne Callahan, Vestar Capital Partners Buddy Philpot, Walton Family Foundation Steve Clark, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Eric Pianalto, Mercy Health Systems of Northwest Arkansas Ed Cli!ord, The Jones Trust Chip Pollard, John Brown University Justin Cole, Rich Baseball Operations Patrick L. Reed, FedEx Freight John Cooper III, Cooper Communities Inc. John Roberts, J. B. Hunt Transport Services Dana Davis, Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce Adam Rutledge, First Security Bank Rich Davis, SourceGas Arkansas Reynie Rutledge, First Security Bank Tommy Deweese, AEP SWEPCO (retired) Maggie Sans, Walmart Stores Lee DuChanois, APAC-Central, Inc. Nick Santoleri, Rockline Industries John Elrod, Conner & Winters Archie Scha!er, Tyson Foods Danny Ferguson, Southwestern Energy Charles Scharlau, Southwestern Energy Greg Fogle, Nabholz Construction Services Je! Schomburger, Procter & Gamble Cathy Foraker, AT&T Anita Scism, Endeavor Foundation Alan Fortenberry, Beaver Water District Lee Scott, Walmart Stores Ed Fryar, Ozark Mountain Poultry Mark Simmons, Simmons Foods Troy Galloway, Arkansas National Guard Todd Simmons, Simmons Foods G. David Gearhart, University of Arkansas Cameron Smith, Cameron Smith & Associates Stan Green, Lindsey Green Properties Donnie Smith, Tyson Foods Mary Ann Greenwood, Greenwood Gearhart Inc. Steve Sta!ord, Ansta! Bank Scott Grigsby, Arvest Bank Group Philip Taldo, Weichert Realtors, The Gri"n Company John Paul Hammerschmidt, former U.S. Congressman Kirk Thompson, J. B. Hunt Transport Services D. Scott Hancock, Centennial Bank Walter Turnbow, Beaver Water District (retired) Gary Head, Signature Bank of Arkansas John Tyson, Tyson Foods Dan Hendrix, Arkansas World Trade Center Scott Van Laningham, Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Tom Hopper, Crafton Tull & Associates Eddie Vega, EZ Spanish Media Dina Howell, Saatchi & Saatchi X Jerry Vest, Regions Bank of NWA Dennis Hunt, Stephens Inc. Fred Vorsanger, UAMS AHEC Board Walter Hussman, WEHCO Media Inc. Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Mitchell Johnson, Ozark Electric Cooperative Corp. Jim Walton, Arvest Bank Group Eli Jones, University of Arkansas Rob Walton, Walmart Stores Robert Jones III, Conner & Winters Perry Webb, Springdale Chamber of Commerce Evelyn Jorgenson, NorthWest Arkansas Community College John White, University of Arkansas James Keenan, The Raven Foundation Wayne Woods, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Fayetteville resident Greg Moody illustrated the front and back cover of the Northwest Arkansas Council’s annual report. It shows the Je! Koenig, Upchurch Electrical Supply Company Charles Zimmerman, Walmart Stores Walmart AMP, the wayfinding system, the Razorback Regional Greenway, the planned Amazeum, I-49, the region’s population milestone, Peter Kohler, UAMS Northwest Randy Zook, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Graduate NWA, a corporate expansion project, Ozark Regional Transit, the Fayetteville flyover and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Bob Lamb, Consultant

2 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 15 Northwest Arkansas Council 4100 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 205, Springdale, Arkansas 72762 2013-2014 Annual Report www.nwacouncil.org