Northwest Arkansas Eyes Regional Authority to Guide Growth and Collaboration

Northwest Arkansas, once considered a quieter alternative to the state’s central corridor, is steadily moving toward becoming a metropolitan area of one million people by 2050. Local leaders, planners, and civic organizations have long searched for ways to manage this growth while maintaining the region’s quality of life.

A regional authority is now viewed as a promising solution, drawing inspiration from successful models across the country. By fostering collaboration among towns and cities, it would allow for coordinated planning to guide sustainable development. Although the idea advanced slowly at first, the passage of the Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act has given it new momentum, and efforts are underway to establish an authority that could strategically shape the region’s future.

Council Backs Shared Authority 

The Northwest Arkansas Council is urging Benton, Washington, and Madison counties to take the first step in forming a shared industrial development authority. Enabled by the Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act, such an entity would help Arkansas attract and grow industry, compete more effectively for new projects, and support job creation and capital investment.

The initiative extends beyond industrial development. Cities and counties are now working together to plan more efficiently and address shared challenges that could slow or derail growth.

With about 38 new residents moving into these counties each day, the strain on infrastructure and resources is intensifying. Without coordinated planning, development projects risk delays or even collapse, as seen in the past with limitations such as inadequate wastewater capacity. By pooling efforts through a three-county authority, leaders aim to ease the burden and establish a centralized body with the authority to manage growth strategically.

“So now we’re looking here in Northwest Arkansas at creating a three-county one. Our three counties are growing. We have a lot of the same shared challenges. And so why not have one way to collectively work together to resolve them,” said Ron Moloney, director of economic development for the council.

The proposed authority would oversee real estate and infrastructure projects while strengthening partnerships with the private sector. Financing, Moloney explained, would come from a mix of company resources, grants, and private investment.

“The way we’re going to do some of these transformational projects is by strengthening the deals through the companies that are coming, their finances, and their creditworthiness. The other part will be grants and additional private sector resources. When we look at federal grants, we want to ensure we’re aligning with the federal MSA,” he said.

Moloney stressed that the effort is forward-looking, laying the groundwork for the next two decades of growth.

“As we carry out these transformational projects and bring in clients, developing these sites and buildings will create better job opportunities, more businesses, and greater resources for the community,” he added.

Officials have been clear that the proposed authority would not raise taxes, noting instead that projects would be funded through industrial revenue bonds repaid by the companies that benefit.

Ensuring Community Support

As discussions about a regional authority advance, parallel efforts are focused on ensuring residents have a voice in shaping growth strategies. Planners are actively seeking feedback to better understand community priorities and challenges.

On September 18, participants in a virtual meeting were given early insights through the Growing Home NWA Roadshow, a series of 17 meetings and focus groups taking place across Benton and Washington counties from September 17 to 24.

Organizers describe the effort as preparation for population growth while “protecting the qualities that make Northwest Arkansas special.” The initiative is being led by the Northwest Arkansas Council and its workforce housing division, Groundwork, in partnership with planning and design firm DPZ CoDesign.

Keeping Northwest Special

The culture, community, and quality of life that make Northwest Arkansas so appealing must remain central to its growth. Without careful planning, the surge of new development could erode the very qualities that drew people to the region, creating strong support for a regional authority and coordinated growth strategies.

The launch of a three county authority may be only the first step. As the region continues to expand, pressure is likely to grow for a broader framework that brings together cities, towns, and rural communities under a shared vision, one that allows Northwest Arkansas to thrive while preserving what makes it truly special.