Our Mission:

To afford local governments and citizens a regional forum to identify issues and opportunities; and to provide leadership in planning and implementing programs to improve the quality of life in our District.

History

The Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District was established in 1968 to provide planning, community, and economic development services within the nine Northwest Arkansas Counties of Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy and Washington.  Since the District's inception, the scope of these services has grown and developed to include a large diversity of programs, activities and initiatives.

Fundamental to the long-range success of any public improvement undertakings is the creation of a comprehensive planning strategy that provides for both, the region's immediate needs and its future potential for growth.  This applies to community, educational, and economic development activities.

Partial funding for the operations of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District is provided through U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). Through the many years of active participation with citizens, businesses and local governments, the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District has refined a practical and efficient method of networking planning activities and resources, successfully linking the private and public sectors of the communities we serve.  Annually, the District produces a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), using guidelines provided by the Economic Development Administration that assure participation by all those people and entities, public and private, who are concerned about and involved with the continuing progress of Northwest Arkansas.