November 2025
The Northwest Arkansas market continues to experience exceptional economic momentum, fueled by significant infrastructure investments, major job-creating expansions, and strong population growth.
Beaver Water District Plans $500 Million Expansion to Meet Growing Demand
What This Means For You: The volume of water sold by the Beaver Water District has jumped 33.6% between the fiscal years that ended Sept. 30, 2020, and 2024. In order to keep up with the increased demand, the district is in the design and construction phase for more than $500 million worth of projects. The centerpiece of these projects is the new water treatment plant. Construction is expected to begin early 2026 and be completed in late 2029 or early 2030.
XNA Terminal Expansion to Exceed $109M, Support Growth
What This Means For You: Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) in Highfill received preliminary plans for a more than $109.4 million expansion on the west side of the terminal to support growth amid record enplanements. Construction according to the existing program schedule would take two years to complete and is set to start in September 2026.
$24 Million Central States Plant Opens in Springdale, Creating Up to 140 Jobs
What This Means For You: Central States, a Tontitown-based manufacturer of metal building products, has opened a 105,000-square-foot plant in Springdale to support the fast-growing pre-engineered metal building system business. The plant represents a long-term economic investment of more than $24 million in Northwest Arkansas. The plant will create 50 jobs this year, but plans are to expand the number of jobs to up to 140 after it adds a second shift.
Trane Technologies Expands Fort Smith Plant, Adding Over 60 Jobs
What This Means For You: Trane Technologies plans to invest almost $6 million to expand manufacturing capacity at its Fort Smith plant. The expansion is expected to add 63 jobs to the 272 jobs now at the plant.
Arkansas Children’s Provides Updates on Springdale Hospital Expansion
What This Means For You: Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale anticipates completing its $82.7 million expansion by late 2026. The expansion will increase inpatient beds to 40 from 25 and includes 50,000 square feet of new space and 23,000 square feet of renovated space.
Strong Job and Population Growth and Balanced Housing Market Conditions in the Fayetteville HMA
What This Means For You: According to a recent Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis, Northwest Arkansas’ metro area is showing healthy job growth – outpacing the national rate of job growth since 2011 – strong population growth, and a balanced real estate market.
