Groundwork NWA

One more chance to attend a CHATS in 2025! Don't miss out on the opportunity to connect with some amazing people in NWA!

Fayetteville is making bold moves on affordable housing! From expanding rehab grants and housing subsidies to funding resident-driven ideas like Development² combining renovation + workforce housing. This update highlights how civic engagement, data-driven policy, and resident ideas are shaping more inclusive growth in NWA. Read the full story from the Fayetteville Flyer https://lnkd.in/gd2kxa3S

Over the past two years, Groundwork has dedicated 400 hours to community outreach and connected with nearly 13,000 residents across Northwest Arkansas. This fall alone, our team spent 28 hours engaging with 1,700 residents, continuing to build awareness around local housing issues. These conversations at farmers markets and local events help us better understand how housing challenges affect daily life and how we can take meaningful steps toward solutions. We're especially proud of our interns who helped make this possible: Samantha Kascoutas, Chloe Babin, Morgan Harper, Victoria Hudson. #GroundworkNWA #FutureIsNow #HousingforNWA

At this year’s Groundwork Housing Summit, attendees experienced a CHATS session. CHATS is our community engagement initiative that brings residents together to discuss how housing challenges impact Northwest Arkansas and explore solutions that work. There are only two CHATS sessions left this year! October 16th, 11am - 1pm at the Bentonville Public Library October 28th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm at Pedal Park in Farmington Join the conversation and see how dialogue can drive change! https://lnkd.in/gm5heZHv

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2025 Housing Summit! Your participation and insights made the day truly meaningful as we explored solutions for Northwest Arkansas’ growing housing needs. Thank you to our speakers for bringing their expertise to help guide solutions for Northwest Arkansas’ housing challenges: Ted Knowlton, Genger Charles, Jonathan Curth, Audra Butler, Michael Saadine, Nicole Clowney and Cullum Clark Thank you to our amazing interns: Morgan Harper, Chloe Babin and Victoria Hudson and our volunteers: Jessica Lewallen, AIA and Hudson Duke for your hard work behind the scenes. And a special shoutout to our fantastic vendors for ensuring the Summit ran smoothly: Ashley Edwards and the whole team at The Record Downtown, Forge Productions, The Event Group, Cedric Fonville/team, Intercut Productions, Urban Jungle, Food Loops and Alchemy Event Rentals. Thank you for being part of this important conversation, The Groundwork Team Duke McLarty, Isabel G., Lindsey Navarrette

Help us write the next chapter of Fayetteville's Downtown Plan, because no one knows Fayetteville better than the people who call it home. We're inviting the community to review and comment on the previous Downtown Plan, a document built on six key principles that define our city's vision: • A superbly walkable environment • Downtown living • Smart parking • Smart rules • Special places • An experience economy At the link below, you can comment directly on the document to share your ideas, concerns and suggestions. The reimagined Downtown Plan will guide the future of development, public spaces, transportation and community life in Fayetteville’s historic core. 👉 https://lnkd.in/e88vYwnK

Our 2025 Housing Summit brought together regional leaders, residents, planners and experts to explore solutions for Northwest Arkansas’ housing challenges. The speakers emphasized the power of public engagement and consensus-building in shaping communities, highlighted modular housing as a solution for urgent construction needs, and examined state-level efforts alongside how Northwest Arkansas compares to other growing cities. Read more about the Summit here: https://lnkd.in/gZfNDEAp Thanks to Doug Thompson for covering the event!

The latest Skyline Report shows the region’s housing market is active and evolving. Home prices continue to climb: the average home in Benton County is $471,427 (up 8.8%) and in Washington County $417,489 (up 7.2%) compared with the first half of 2024. New home construction and multifamily development are increasing, yet infrastructure limitations (especially sewer capacity) are already posing challenges for continued growth in several cities. These trends highlight a critical need for more diverse housing options across the region and coordinated planning to grow sustainably. Read more about the skyline report here: https://lnkd.in/duJYE7Xr

Over 150 Northwest Arkansas residents have joined a CHATS session this year! Don’t miss your last chance to participate in 2025! Join us on Tuesday, October 28th from 6–8 PM at Pedal Park in Farmington. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gm5heZHv