July 2025
The Northwest Arkansas market is experiencing rapid and sustained growth, fueled by a rising population, record-breaking airport traffic, and robust residential and commercial development across the region.
Northwest Arkansas Among Fastest-Growing U.S. Regions, Adding 266 Residents Weekly
What This Means For You: Northwest Arkansas – encompassing Benton, Madison, and Washington counties – now has nearly 600,000 residents and is growing at an average rate of 266 people per week, projected to reach 1 million by 2050.
$13.8M LaCroix Expansion in Batesville to Create Over 100 Jobs
What This Means For You: La Croix Precision Optics announced a $13.8 million expansion to its manufacturing operations in Batesville, with plans to add over 100 jobs over 5 years.
XNA Sets Record for Monthly Enplanements in May
What This Means For You: Northwest Arkansas National Airport recorded a record 117,821 enplanements in May 2025 – surpassing the previous high set in October 2024. Airport officials said the new record reflects the rapid pace of growth in Northwest Arkansas and highlights the airport’s critical role in serving the region’s travel needs.
NWA Sets Record for Year-Over-Year Job Gains
What This Means For You: All seven metro areas in or connected to Arkansas posted job gains in April, with the estimated number of jobs in the Northwest Arkansas metro setting a new record at 307,678. The metro also had the lowest unemployment rate among Arkansas metros at 2.6%.
Mixed-Use Development Planned for Bentonville’s Downtown Square
What This Means For You: The mixed-use project on Northeast Second Street – the north side of the square – will feature residential units, an underground parking structure and street level retail.
Sweetgreen Opens in Northwest Arkansas, Expanding into Southern U.S.
What This Means For You: Sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand known for connecting people to real food, today announced its planned market entry in Arkansas – a significant step in its expansion across the southern United States. The brand will open in Fayetteville later this year, with a second location to follow at Walmart’s New Home Office in Bentonville.
