What Propelled Northwest Arkansas (NWA) to be America's Best-Performing Economy?

EmitenTrust.com New report offers data-driven analysis on the success of NWA and lessons for other Communities 

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Emeraude and Encore Economics published, "Northwest Arkansas is America's Best-Performing Economy: What is Driving it?" This report provides deep and rich analysis of how Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area) rose to become "America's Best-Performing City," and lays out what it must do to retain this position.

The region demonstrates a distinctive economic landscape, featuring major Fortune 500 corporations, the University of Arkansas as the state's premier research institution, a concentration of food and protein industries, advanced logistics capabilities, and a developing startup ecosystem. The transformation of Northwest Arkansas over the past three decades has been remarkable.

"Northwest Arkansas has fostered an independent spirit that contributes significantly to its entrepreneurial environment. Notable corporations such as Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt originated in the region from modest beginnings and grown into national industry leaders," said Ross DeVol, Founder of Encore Economics. "I had a seat in the front row having led the development of the metrics underpinning "America's Best-Performing Cities" at the Milken Institute and relocated to NWA in late 2017." DeVol continued, "I hope to play an ongoing role in providing strategic economic development guidance in NWA and aid others across the nation."

Economic diversification will be critical to Northwest Arkansas retaining its #1 position. Bolstering the region's startup ecosystem through founder support and more early-stage investment funding will be critical to achieving this objective. Developing the talent pipeline in STEM fields and through workforce development focus on career technical education will support existing firms and enable startups to be successful. Ongoing investments in medical research and healthcare will be essential to diversification and create a new industry cluster.

"As Ross's research shows, entrepreneurs that start and scale their enterprises determine the success of their communities, said Jim Smith, Chairman, Emeraude." We enable business leaders and highly successful families to invest their time where it matters —building their businesses. "By advocating for more-informed economic policy these entrepreneurs can expand sales, create jobs, and further diversify Northwest Arkansas' economy," Smith continued.

The full report can be found here. #EncoreEconomics

MEDIA CONTACT:
RossDeVol@Encore-Economics.com

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SOURCE Encore Economics