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Axios Northwest Arkansas

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Walmart tops Fortune 500 list

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10 Arkansas laws taking effect in August

Nearly 900 acts passed by the Arkansas Legislature earlier this year are set to become law on Tuesday.

News

Mapped: Arkansas' Alzheimer's rates

Caring for those with the disease cost an estimated $321 billion nationwide last year.

Health

Northwest Arkansas Council jumpstarts attainable housing project

At its annual meeting Tuesday, the NWA Council revealed its collaboration on a 77-unit apartment project that will permanently earmark 30 units for families earning below the area median income

Venture capital interest jumps in Arkansas

Venture capitalists invested more than $270 million in Arkansas companies in 2022.

Venture capitalists invested more than $270 million in Arkansas companies in 2022, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Capital Scan" data-vars-click-url="https://online.flippingbook.com/view/537929553/" data-vars-content-id="0e1972df-806f-4e0d-bd8b-359e38668c5a" data-vars-headline="Venture capital interest jumps in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://online.flippingbook.com/view/537929553/" target="_blank">Arkansas Capital Scan</a> released Wednesday.Context: This is the third such report compiled by the University of Arkansas&#x27; Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OEI) and the Northwest Arkansas Council.

Restaurant wage growth in Northwest Arkansas better than U.S. average

Year-over-year wage growth for restaurant workers in Northwest Arkansas rose 5.6% in October, from 4.2% in September.

Year-over-year wage growth for restaurant workers in Northwest Arkansas rose by 5.6% in October — up from 4.2% in September, Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick and Alice Feng report.<ul><li>That&#x27;s down from a peak of 39% in November 2018.</li><li>The data comes by way of Square&#x27;s new third-quarter restaurant industry<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" report" data-vars-click-url="https://squareup.com/us/en/press/restaurant-industry-report-post-pandemic-dining-traffic-stabilizes" data-vars-content-id="6a4a6976-c06d-4a2d-ae8e-830b0dd8937a" data-vars-headline="Restaurant wage growth in Northwest Arkansas better than U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://squareup.com/us/en/press/restaurant-industry-report-post-pandemic-dining-traffic-stabilizes" target="_blank"> report</a> and includes base wages, tips and overtime.</li></ul>

The Shift: Black Paper Party faces the Sharks

Inspired by the cultural flashpoints of 2020 that included the pandemic and murder of George Floyd, three NWA women decided to launch Black Paper Party.

Inspired by the cultural flashpoints of 2020 that included the COVID-19 pandemic and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="murder of George Floyd" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/07/tou-thao-george-floyd-criminal-charges-prison-sentence" data-vars-content-id="e1e92e98-8e58-4018-a9ed-62202b88e7b8" data-vars-headline="The Shift: Black Paper Party faces the Sharks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/07/tou-thao-george-floyd-criminal-charges-prison-sentence" target="_self">murder of George Floyd</a>, three NWA women decided to launch <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black Paper Party" data-vars-click-url="https://www.blackpaperparty.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAsburBhCIARIsAExmsu6OF82VVIBGSX9cagWqKdeXrfNATNMRudmyL7PrmAuuND02iOuh72MaAtvMEALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="e1e92e98-8e58-4018-a9ed-62202b88e7b8" data-vars-headline="The Shift: Black Paper Party faces the Sharks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.blackpaperparty.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAsburBhCIARIsAExmsu6OF82VVIBGSX9cagWqKdeXrfNATNMRudmyL7PrmAuuND02iOuh72MaAtvMEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Black Paper Party</a>.<ul><li>The partners&#x27; initial concept was to make Christmas wrapping paper with illustrations of Black people — a simple notion that&#x27;s been largely overlooked by the traditional gift-giving industry.</li></ul>Driving the news: The trio — Jasmine Hudson, J&#x27;Aaron Merchant and Madia Willis — will appear on ABC&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shark Tank" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbc.com/shark-tank" data-vars-content-id="e1e92e98-8e58-4018-a9ed-62202b88e7b8" data-vars-headline="The Shift: Black Paper Party faces the Sharks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbc.com/shark-tank" target="_blank">Shark Tank</a>&quot; at 7pm Friday.

Benton County leads in EV commuting in Arkansas

Benton County saw an estimated 63 electric vehicle miles driven per 1,000 residents on a typical weekday in the second quarter of 2023.

Benton County saw an estimated 63 electric vehicle miles driven per 1,000 residents on a typical weekday in the second quarter of 2023, Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report from data shared with Axios.<ul><li>About 42 miles per 1,000 residents were driven during the typical weekday in Washington County.</li></ul>Zoom out: The crown for large U.S. counties went to Marin County, California, which averages 1,942 miles per day.

What to do in NWA this week

Enjoy your week. Here are things to do in the area.🌿 Get crafty ahead of the holidays<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christmas tree workshop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/729177709251893/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="316574d2-b687-4024-b314-e3641ea01a8e" data-vars-headline="What to do in NWA this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/729177709251893/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">Christmas tree workshop</a> with snacks and wine — 6pm Tuesday at Oil + Meg in Bentonville.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mistletoe-arranging" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/221989867581558?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22home%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="316574d2-b687-4024-b314-e3641ea01a8e" data-vars-headline="What to do in NWA this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/221989867581558?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22home%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">Mistletoe-arranging</a> at 6:30pm Wednesday, The Botanical at 8th &amp; A in Bentonville.</li></ul>🤣 Have a good laugh at a comedy night

How to give back this holiday season

Here's a starter list of where you can put gratitude into action.

There is no shortage of philanthropic efforts or organizations in Northwest Arkansas, but there are still people in need.<ul><li>Chances are you already have a personal cause and a plan to give.</li></ul>Yes, but: If you need a little help, here&#x27;s a starter list of where you can put gratitude into action:

Venture capital moves — slowly — to middle of the country

Venture capital investment in heartland companies more than tripled in a decade.

Venture capital investment in heartland companies more than tripled in a decade, reaching $55 billion by the end of 2021, according to a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Heartland Forward" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/11/09/heartland-summit-bentonville-boris-johnson-matthew-mcconaughey" data-vars-content-id="b3dffbad-13a5-49f4-b636-d764528f44f2" data-vars-headline="Venture capital moves — slowly — to middle of the country" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/11/09/heartland-summit-bentonville-boris-johnson-matthew-mcconaughey" target="_self">Heartland Forward</a> report.Why it matters: The jump means more startups in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="20-state region" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/27259554.3567/aHR0cHM6Ly9oZWFydGxhbmRmb3J3YXJkLm9yZy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9ud19hcmthbnNhcyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2Df1da5810" data-vars-content-id="b3dffbad-13a5-49f4-b636-d764528f44f2" data-vars-headline="Venture capital moves — slowly — to middle of the country" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/27259554.3567/aHR0cHM6Ly9oZWFydGxhbmRmb3J3YXJkLm9yZy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9ud19hcmthbnNhcyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2Df1da5810" target="_blank">20-state region</a> of the nation&#x27;s midsection. New companies tend to spur clusters, or hubs, of related firms — creating more jobs, attracting talent and generating economic activity.

Group files proposal to put sunshine law on Arkansas ballot

Arkansas Citizens for Transparency submitted a ballot title and popular name for the "Arkansas Government Transparency Act," this week.

Arkansas Citizens for Transparency this week submitted a ballot title and popular name for the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Government Transparency Amendment" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FOIA-Constitutional-Amendment-Ballot-Title-PDF.pdf" data-vars-content-id="9b3e8db6-a420-4712-8d5e-f97561b45d76" data-vars-headline="Group files proposal to put sunshine law on Arkansas ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FOIA-Constitutional-Amendment-Ballot-Title-PDF.pdf" target="_blank">Arkansas Government Transparency Amendment</a>.&quot;<ul><li>It&#x27;s a companion to a proposed amendment <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="submitted last week" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2023/11/27/first-ballot-language-submitted-for-arkansas-government-transparency-amendment/" data-vars-content-id="9b3e8db6-a420-4712-8d5e-f97561b45d76" data-vars-headline="Group files proposal to put sunshine law on Arkansas ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2023/11/27/first-ballot-language-submitted-for-arkansas-government-transparency-amendment/" target="_blank">submitted last week</a> that would create a right to government transparency.</li></ul>Why it matters: The state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Freedom of Information Act" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022-FOIA-Handbook-20th-Edition.pdf" data-vars-content-id="9b3e8db6-a420-4712-8d5e-f97561b45d76" data-vars-headline="Group files proposal to put sunshine law on Arkansas ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022-FOIA-Handbook-20th-Edition.pdf" target="_blank">Freedom of Information Act</a> protects the public&#x27;s right to access many government documents and is frequently used to hold officials accountable for taxpayer dollars.

Attainable housing project set for Bentonville

Excellerate Housing, a part of the Excellerate Foundation, plans to build 200 housing units to rent between $450 and $800 in Bentonville.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Excellerate Housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/08/08/nonprofit-adds-affordable-housing-division" data-vars-content-id="4684fa08-f92e-4d72-8962-8a68ac3de5a9" data-vars-headline="Attainable housing project set for Bentonville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/08/08/nonprofit-adds-affordable-housing-division" target="_self">Excellerate Housing</a>, a part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Excellerate Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.excelleratefoundation.com/" data-vars-content-id="4684fa08-f92e-4d72-8962-8a68ac3de5a9" data-vars-headline="Attainable housing project set for Bentonville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.excelleratefoundation.com/" target="_blank">Excellerate Foundation</a>, plans to build 200 housing units in Bentonville that will rent for $450 to $800 monthly.<ul><li>The projected prices are based on ranges from 30%-60% of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="area median income" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/09/18/median-income-pandemic-census" data-vars-content-id="4684fa08-f92e-4d72-8962-8a68ac3de5a9" data-vars-headline="Attainable housing project set for Bentonville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/09/18/median-income-pandemic-census" target="_self">area median income</a>, which is $28,000 to $55,000 for a family of four, according to Excellerate.</li></ul>Why it matters: NWA&#x27;s high cost of housing makes it challenging for lower- and middle-range wage earners — think teachers, police and health care workers — to afford to live in the area.

Illustration of a repeating pattern of houses made out of hundred dollar bills. 

Heartland Summit brings Boris Johnson, Matthew McConaughey to Bentonville

Yes, the former Prime Minister of the U.K. and the Oscar award-winning actor.

In perhaps the most improbable pairing imaginable, Boris Johnson and Matthew McConaughey headlined an event opener in Bentonville last night.<ul><li>Yes, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom and the Oscar award-winning actor.</li></ul>

Investors look to bring a Michelin star to Northwest Arkansas, starting with bento boxes

Silicon Valley tech-preneurs are using their start-up know-how to land Arkansas its first Michelin star.

Silicon Valley tech-preneurs are using their startup know-how to land Arkansas its first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin star" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/08/michelin-guide-awards-new-2023-star-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="a28ca04d-4c25-48c8-b12e-781ec2ff3a4d" data-vars-headline="Investors look to bring a Michelin star to Northwest Arkansas, starting with bento boxes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/08/michelin-guide-awards-new-2023-star-restaurants" target="_self">Michelin star</a>.State of play: Nine investors behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentoville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/07/bentoville-bento-boxes-bentonville" data-vars-content-id="a28ca04d-4c25-48c8-b12e-781ec2ff3a4d" data-vars-headline="Investors look to bring a Michelin star to Northwest Arkansas, starting with bento boxes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/07/bentoville-bento-boxes-bentonville" target="_self">Bentoville</a> — including two chefs who&#x27;ve previously earned stars — are working to open a brick-and-mortar Japanese restaurant in Bentonville late next year.

Animated illustration of three chef hats popping up out of nowhere, one after another.