NW Arkansas

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Northwest Arkansas, written by local reporters.

Axios Northwest Arkansas

Finished in 2008, this one-of-a-kind home — known as the Dromborg — is inspired by Scottish castles of the 13th century. It was built with more than 4,000 tons of native stone, hand-fitted by craftsmen. 

It would make a great investment for a winery, according to the real estate agent.

The exact address is 2991 S. City Lake Road, Fayetteville

At 8,825 square feet and four stories, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms and a six car garage. 

Luxury touches: Ceiling vaults from 14 to 26 feet in the 2,200 square-foot great room, an eight-burner Viking range, a 24-by-32 foot library with natural cherry moulding, a commercial-grade elevator, men's lounge and a room dedicated to maps. 

Coolest room: The fourth floor observation deck with fireplace, heated floors, and unparalleled views of the Ozarks. 

Other highlights: There's an onsite electric generator, a golf green with three tee boxes, a half-acre pond and short five-minute drive to downtown Fayetteville. 

Listed by: Katherine Hudson at Keller Williams Market Pro Realty. 

Dromborg Castle, located at 2991 S. City Lake Rd. in Fayetteville, Ark.

Castle Dromborg. Photo: Courtesy Keller Williams Market Pro Realty 

Dromborg Castle, located at 2991 S. City Lake Rd. in Fayetteville, Ark. 

Dromborg Castle, located at 2991 S. City Lake Rd. in Fayetteville, Ark. Photo: Courtesty Keller Williams Market Pro Realty 

Mountain-top castle in the Ozarks asks $4.8M

This one-of-a-kind home inspired by Scottish castles of the 13th century can be yours for only $4.8M.

Dromborg Castle, located at 2991 S. City Lake Rd. in Fayetteville, Ark. Photo: Courtesy Keller Williams Market Pro Realty 

Castle Dromborg, at 2991 S. City Lake Road. in Fayetteville. Photo: Keller Williams Market Pro Realty 

Real estate

Finished in 2008, this one-of-a-kind home — known as the <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="Dromborg" data-vars-click-url="http://dromborg.com/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://dromborg.com/" target="_blank">Dromborg</a> — is inspired by Scottish castles of the 13th century. It was built with more than 4,000 tons of native stone, hand-fitted by craftsmen. <ul><li>It would make a great investment for a winery, according to the real estate agent.</li><li>It could be yours for only $4.8 million.</li></ul>

Real Estate

Data: Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety; Map: Jared Whalen/Axios

Arkansas is in the middle of the road compared to other states when it comes to enacting laws to make driving safer and reduce traffic deaths.

Why it matters: Action is needed to make roadways safer as traffic deaths climb at record rates despite fewer miles being driven, according to a new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

Driving the news: Two Arkansas Department of Transportation workers have been killed by vehicles since early December. 

A public safety awareness campaign and increased law enforcement near work zones is planned by ARDOT beginning Feb. 2. 

What they did: The report ranks states based on 16 "optimal laws that every state should have as part of a comprehensive safety program."

Arkansas has enacted just nine of the 16, a middle ground ranking shared with 30 other states. 

What we're missing: Per Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety...

A law requiring rear-facing booster seats for children under 2.

Stricter permit rules requiring a minimum age of 16 for a learner's permit, 50 hours of supervised driving for teens, and a nighttime driving restriction for teens.

Zoom out: More than 20,000 people died nationally in crashes during the first six months of 2021. The 18% increase from 2020 is the highest half-year percentage increase ever recorded.

Zoom in: There were 505 traffic fatalities in Arkansas in 2019, the most recent data available. 

In all, more than 5,300 people in the state have died because of motor vehicle crashes between 2009 and 2019.

Traffic deaths are up. Here's how to make Arkansas roads safer

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Arkansas is in the middle of the road compared to other states when it comes to enacting laws to make driving safer and reduce traffic deaths.Why it matters: Action is needed to make roadways safer as <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="traffic deaths climb at record rates" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/26464738.22678/aHR0cHM6Ly9jcmFzaHN0YXRzLm5odHNhLmRvdC5nb3YvQXBpL1B1YmxpYy9WaWV3UHVibGljYXRpb24vODEzMTk5P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfdGFtcGEmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B7d6925f2" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/26464738.22678/aHR0cHM6Ly9jcmFzaHN0YXRzLm5odHNhLmRvdC5nb3YvQXBpL1B1YmxpYy9WaWV3UHVibGljYXRpb24vODEzMTk5P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfdGFtcGEmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B7d6925f2" target="_blank">traffic deaths climb at record rates</a> despite fewer miles being driven, according to a <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/26464738.22678/aHR0cHM6Ly9zYWZlcm9hZHMub3JnL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDIyLzAxL0ZJTkFMLTIwMjItUm9hZG1hcC1vZi1TdGF0ZS1IaWdod2F5LVNhZmV0eS1MYXdzLnBkZj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3RhbXBhJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2C7028a993" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/26464738.22678/aHR0cHM6Ly9zYWZlcm9hZHMub3JnL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDIyLzAxL0ZJTkFMLTIwMjItUm9hZG1hcC1vZi1TdGF0ZS1IaWdod2F5LVNhZmV0eS1MYXdzLnBkZj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3RhbXBhJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2C7028a993" target="_blank">new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety</a>.

News

Data: Arkansas Division of Workforce Services. Chart: Axios Visuals

What's both good and bad at the same time? The employment situation in Arkansas. 

What's happening: The percent of unemployed Arkansans looking for work has trended down for the past year, dropping to a record low 3.1% in December. At the same time, small businesses looking to hire people aren't getting the applicants they need.

Why it matters: Small businesses make up more than 99% of all businesses in the state, employing nearly a half-million people. A shrinking labor pool hinders their ability to grow and in some cases retain customers.

Recent research from Goldman Sachs highlights continuing headwinds for entrepreneurs. 

Context: Mervin Jebaraj, director of U of A's Center for Business and Economic Research, cited three reasons for the conundrum:

Many people have retired — at least while the pandemic has been active — so they're not counted as looking for a job.

Another large group can't find or afford childcare, so they've simply pulled out of the job market. 

Demand for workers is up due to a 30—40% increase in new businesses started in 2020 and 2021.

Data: Arkansas Division of Workforce Services; Map: Thomas Oide/Axios 

By the numbers: The unemployment rate in the northwest corner of the state is between 1.4% (Benton County) and 1.6% (Madison County), the lowest rates in Arkansas. 

East Arkansas has the highest rates at 5.2% (Chilcot County), 4.8% (Phillips County) and 4.2% (Mississippi County). 

The numbers are for November, the most recent data available. 

What they're saying: Mike Rohrbach, who owns Flying Burrito and is partners in Bocca Italian eatery and the Kingfish bar in Fayetteville, said he could use as many as nine employees. 

"It's the worst I've ever seen," he told Axios while he was cooking for the lunch rush. "They're just not coming through the door." 

He's been in the food service industry for nearly 30 years and is careful not to work employees too hard for fear they'll quit. 

The bottom line: Jebaraj says the only real solution is to get past the pandemic. 

Of note: The annual Business Forecast from the Center for Business and Economic Research is Friday at 11:30am. Contact the Center to register. 

Go deeper: An interactive version of the state's unemployment map.

Read more about what small businesses told Goldman Sachs.

A closer look at Arkansas' record-low unemployment

What's both good and bad at the same time? The employment situation in Arkansas.

Small businesses

What&#x27;s both good and bad at the same time? The employment situation in Arkansas. What&#x27;s happening: The percent of unemployed Arkansans looking for work has trended down for the past year, dropping to a record low <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="3.1% in December" data-vars-click-url="https://www.discover.arkansas.gov/_docs/Publications/Press-Release/2021/Press-Release-December-2021.pdf" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.discover.arkansas.gov/_docs/Publications/Press-Release/2021/Press-Release-December-2021.pdf" target="_blank">3.1% in December</a>. At the same time, small businesses looking to hire people aren&#x27;t getting the applicants they need.

Business

The University of Arkansas' department of supply chain management is having a moment. 

What's happening: The undergrad program was ranked #1 in 2020 by consulting company Gartner. 

A 12-year-old's handmade sign touting this fact has traveled the world, going viral on LinkedIn.

Why it matters: Each year, 250-plus graduates enter the workforce from U of A with a global perspective on moving, say pharmaceuticals, from manufacturer to medicine cabinet.

The recent publicity is attracting top students to Fayetteville's campus and should bolster Northwest Arkansas' reputation as a supply chain and logistics hub. 

The big picture: A once arcane industry is now super sexy thanks to the pandemic. Demand for a smooth-running system is greater than ever as "last mile" delivery by autonomous truck or drone becomes the expectation rather than the exception. 

The global supply chain management market in 2020 was valued at $15.8 billion and is expected to reach nearly $31 billion by 2026, according to one report.  

Context: Supply chain management at U of A's Sam M. Walton College of Business was under the marketing department until 2011 when it became its own program. It's now the fifth-largest such program in the U.S., department chair Brian Fugate told Axios. 

It was traditionally focused on transportation and retail given the industries in NWA. But largely due to the globalization of the supply chain, the program has expanded in recent years to include sourcing and manufacturing. 

"Supply chain is really broad to make all those pieces fit together," Fugate said. "So, you know, our curriculum needs to reflect that as well."

Going viral: "The Sign," as it's become known, was a bit of a fluke. Fugate's son, Luke, and daughter, Ally, made it so dad would take them to the on-camera taping of ESPN's College GameDay ahead of a Razorback football game.

It worked and was seen in the background. 

Then Fugate's students began asking if they could take it to out-of-town games. Then alumni wanted selfies with it in front of their employers' signs. 

It's now traveled most of the U.S. and to Panama and Germany. 

The bottom line: Companies that previously hadn't had a recruiting relationship with U of A began calling after seeing "The Sign," Fugate said. 

"That's what's cool about the whole thing, is that it's helping students and that's what it's all about," he said. 

Of note: Voting on Gartner's 2022 undergraduate programs is open until Jan. 31. 

Can supply chain studies be sexy? University of Arkansas bets on yes

The University of Arkansas' department of supply chain management is having a moment.

U of A graduates hold a sign reading "#1 Supply Chain"

University of Arkansas supply chain management alumni show off their employers and hold "The Sign." More posts can be seen at #WaltonSupplyChain. Photos: Courtesy Brian Fugate/University of Arkansas 

Logistics

The University of Arkansas&#x27; department of supply chain management is having a moment. What&#x27;s happening: The undergrad program was <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="ranked #1" data-vars-click-url="https://emtemp.gcom.cloud/ngw/globalassets/en/doc/documents/729916-top-25-north-american-supply-chain-undergraduate-university-programs-2020.pdf" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://emtemp.gcom.cloud/ngw/globalassets/en/doc/documents/729916-top-25-north-american-supply-chain-undergraduate-university-programs-2020.pdf" target="_blank">ranked #1</a> in 2020 by consulting company Gartner. <ul><li>A 12-year-old&#x27;s handmade sign touting this fact has traveled the world, going <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="viral on LinkedIn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23waltonsupplychain%20&amp;origin=GLOBAL_SEARCH_HEADER&amp;page=2&amp;sid=LyR" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23waltonsupplychain%20&amp;origin=GLOBAL_SEARCH_HEADER&amp;page=2&amp;sid=LyR" target="_blank">viral on LinkedIn</a>.</li></ul>

My wife and I recently had dinner at Doe's Eat Place in Fayetteville. It can be tricky writing about a place with a long history, but here goes. 

Flashback: Doe's hails from Greenville, Miss., where it was established in 1941. 

Both the Fayetteville and Bentonville locations have been open for more than 20 years.

The setup: These aren't fancy places — checked tablecloths made of vinyl, concrete floors, haphazard decor. But because the food is good, you wouldn't be surprised to see former President Bill Clinton or the CEO of a major corporation dining there. 

It's the kind of Arkansas place where politics, money, beer and food meet, and business gets done. 

The food: Doe's is known for its tamales as appetizers, and every table is set with a basket of wrapped saltine crackers. 

While you can order tamales for dinner, they're really just a preview before the main event. 

Steak is why you come to Doe's and, for me, a filet is the best of all the cuts. 

On this outing, I had a Queen cut filet, which is about 10 ounces, and fries (new potatoes are optional, no baked potato). All meals come with fried biscuits. It was about $50. 

My thought bubble: This is really the best steak in NWA as far as I'm concerned. It's consistent, cooked the way it's ordered and the outer "crust" has never disappointed. 

Got a favorite steak place? Email me at worth.sparkman@axios.com.

And while we're talking about beef: Here are the best burgers in Washington County

Top shelf steak at Doe's Eat Place in Fayetteville

I was recently treated by my wife's employer to a dinner at Doe's Eat Place in Fayetteville.

The Queen cut filet from Doe's Eat Place in Fayetteville. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios

Food

My wife and I recently had dinner at Doe&#x27;s Eat Place in Fayetteville. It can be tricky writing about a place with a long history, but here goes. Flashback: Doe&#x27;s hails from Greenville, Miss., where it was established in 1941. <ul><li>Both the Fayetteville and Bentonville locations have been open for more than 20 years.</li></ul>

Worth Sparkman

Featured stories

Mountain-top castle in the Ozarks asks $4.8M

A closer look at Arkansas' record-low unemployment

Can supply chain studies be sexy? University of Arkansas bets on yes

Traffic deaths are up. Here's how to make Arkansas roads safer

Top shelf steak at Doe's Eat Place in Fayetteville