Fayetteville Arkansas, University of Arkansas--Old Main Overview

Fayetteville Arkansas, University of Arkansas--Old Main Overview
Overview of Fayetteville, AR

Friday, November 26, 2010

NW Arkansas’s Economy Continues to Improve - Slowly

Slow and steady seem to be the key words to describe improving economic conditions, in Arkansas as well as the country. We all wish the words could be dynamic or thriving – but let’s appreciate every bit of good news we get.

The U.S. Labor Department reported the economy added more than 150,000 jobs in October. That’s good news.

The average number of hours worked increased by 6 minutes. Doesn’t sound like much but it is good news because employers tend to increase employees’ work hours before adding new hires. Let’s face it, these days any increase in hours worked is good because people take home more money.

The number of first-time applicants for unemployment decreased. I don’t even have to tell you that’s good news.

But even better news has been happening all along in Arkansas.

Arkansas’ unemployment rate has consistently been about 2% lower than the national average, although it rose 0.1% in October compared to September to 7.8%. The national unemployment rate continued at 9.6%. The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA* leads the state's metros with the lowest 2010 third-quarter jobless rate, at 6.3%.

Arkansas is ranked in the top 10 for states with the LEAST number of foreclosures.

Arkansas’ taxable sales were up 0.9% in the third quarter of 2010.

Projections are that Arkansas will show personal-income growth ahead of the U.S. rate at 6% for 2011.

Positive signs are beginning to appear. Keep your fingers crossed for the trend to continue. Why? Because the more jobs there are, the more people will want to move here and buy houses.

* Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) includes Benton, Madison, and Washington counties in Arkansas as well as McDonald County in extreme southwest Missouri.

For more information:

National Public Radio Report
Arkansas Business Report

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Two More Awards Earned by NW Arkansas Communities

There are so many valid and varied reasons for the outstanding quality of life we enjoy in NW Arkansas. I’ve written many times about clean air, beautiful scenery, recreation opportunities, entertainment, and more that all of us more or less take for granted.

Now I’m pleased to note that the cities of Bentonville and Fayetteville have each been named a Volunteer Community of the Year. The award was given by the Office of Governor Mike Beebe. A total of 12 awards were given throughout the state.

It’s the second year in a row Fayetteville has earned the title. For Bentonville, it’s the first year (and I’m sure there will be more awards in the future.)

According to city of Bentonville, 12,000 volunteers worked in excess of 163,000 hours during 12 months ended August 31, 2010.

Fayetteville, with its much larger population, logged 38,000 volunteers who donated more than 500,000 hours.

Volunteers serve in a multitude of ways – on committees and boards, in libraries and schools, animal adoptions and shelters, recycling, community events, food pantries, and more.

Every one of these wonderful people deserves our thanks for helping to make our communities great places to live.

My hat is off to them. It’s nice to see them receive some official recognition.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Fayetteville does it again!

The Home Depot Foundation’s Sustainable Cities Institute has awarded the City of Fayetteville a half million dollars to increase long-term solutions for green planning and development. Fayetteville is one of only 2 cities nationwide out of 37 who applied to get the grant.

Initial plans are to build 40 ENERGY STAR-certified homes for low to moderate-income families in the Walker Park neighborhood. In addition to building to meet LEED standards, the design will maximize tree canopy conservation and will consider urban cooling eco-services. A section of the trail system will be extended to the neighborhood and a community garden is also included in the plan.

For more information, click here.