Northwest Arkansas is an emerging hub for entrepreneurship in the Heartland. Local and national organizations are working together to build a community where all residents have access to economic and cultural opportunities. This conversation explores resources available to entrepreneurs in the region that help break down barriers innovators face when opening new businesses or startups.
The Walton Family Foundation supports community-driven housing solutions that help Northwest Arkansas remain an inclusive, vibrant and affordable place to live, where everyone has access to mixed-income, walkable, transit-accessible neighborhoods.
Sam Dean, executive director of the Amazeum in Bentonville, Arkansas, says communities must embrace and support a holistic view of education that ensures students have access to learning opportunities inside and outside of school.
What is the role of education in creating one of the most vibrant and inclusive communities in the country? It’s a question we recently posed to community members, educators, parents and students in Northwest Arkansas. The group was united in their response: When comes to our schools, the voices of the community must be front and center.
Strong coalitions can empower social change across all sectors through shared purpose and resources. Community leaders share their unique experiences working with coalitions that leverage existing assets and public momentum to drive solutions and build cohesive communities.
Northwest Arkansas has earned a deserved reputation as one of the best places to live in the country. But not everyone can benefit from all Northwest Arkansas has to offer. A commitment to ensuring growth, and the opportunities it offers, is inclusive, will help the region through a recovery period and build a vibrant economy.
We know what’s possible when big ideas take flight, when opportunity and potential form a foundation of hope. The Walton Family Foundation celebrates the people and communities that are making our home region more vibrant, diverse and alive with possibility.
By building hundreds of miles of mountain biking and multi-use trails, Northwest Arkansas has created a close-knit community of users committed to increasing access to recreation for all and preserving the beauty of the region's open spaces.
The K-12 public charter school in Northwest Arkansas integrates the arts into core academic courses like science, math and literature, helping students make deeper connections to the material.