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

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Military drone plant opens in Arkansas, drawing protest

The company plans to make unmanned aerial vehicles to operate in coordinated swarms

Business

Tech startup Swarm Aero opened a Northwest Arkansas facility Wednesday to build military drones near Fayetteville&#x27;s Drake Field, with plans to create hundreds of jobs.Why it matters: Regional leaders say the facility positions Northwest Arkansas as a growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defense manufacturing hub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/04/19/xtremis-technology-ai-rf-electromagnetic" data-vars-content-id="f97842e1-2f60-48cd-9179-6328cccd4129" data-vars-headline="Military drone plant opens in Arkansas, drawing protest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/04/19/xtremis-technology-ai-rf-electromagnetic" target="_self">defense manufacturing hub</a>.

Mixed-use project planned for Bentonville square

The plan is to break ground on The Hart on Main this summer.

News

Construction of a development bringing retail, office and housing to the Bentonville square will begin soon.State of play: The plan is to break ground on The Hart on Main this summer with a &quot;multiyear build ahead,&quot; according to a news release.

Arkansas Gov. Sanders knocks Dems on Fox News

"If Kamala Harris is the best person that the Democrats can run again, I think '28 is looking really good for Republicans," Sanders said.

Politics

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders opined about the 2028 general election on &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fox &amp; Friends" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6389570439112" data-vars-content-id="ac621f56-12f0-4511-9f96-5ed102302d4b" data-vars-headline="Arkansas Gov. Sanders knocks Dems on Fox News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6389570439112" target="_blank">Fox &amp; Friends</a>&quot; on Thursday, following a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commentary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/democrats-you-may-already-have-lost-the-2028-election-7bab8946?st=6xtgWW&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" data-vars-content-id="ac621f56-12f0-4511-9f96-5ed102302d4b" data-vars-headline="Arkansas Gov. Sanders knocks Dems on Fox News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/democrats-you-may-already-have-lost-the-2028-election-7bab8946?st=6xtgWW&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" target="_blank">commentary</a> in the Wall Street Journal critiquing the Democratic Party.

Filmmaker second in Crystal Bridges speaker series

Ken Burns will speak in April in Bentonville.

Things to Do

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art announced Wednesday that documentary filmmaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ken Burns will be the next speaker" data-vars-click-url="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/building-bridges-an-evening-with-ken-burns/" data-vars-content-id="ad8181a3-39ed-4141-9ee6-32ede953c7fe" data-vars-headline="Filmmaker second in Crystal Bridges speaker series" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/building-bridges-an-evening-with-ken-burns/" target="_blank">Ken Burns will be the next speaker</a> in its &quot;Building Bridges&quot; series.Context: The series, happening in conjunction with the United States turning 250 this year, &quot;brings together thought leaders, thinkers and artists to model civic dialogue,&quot; according to a news release.

Northwest Arkansas office vacancy rate among tightest in U.S.

Commercial property trends signal economic momentum, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as an economic outlier.

Office space in Northwest Arkansas remained scarce at the end of 2025, with a 4.6% vacancy rate, one of the lowest in the U.S., according to a Cushman &amp; Wakefield Sage Partners report.Why it matters: Commercial property trends signal economic momentum, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as an economic outlier in a soft national office market — though tight supply can limit expansion and push rents higher.

Key takeaways from the 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region report

Here's a snapshot of the current economy in Northwest Arkansas..

Jobs are pretty good in NWA, but housing is still too expensive.Driving the news: The Northwest Arkansas Council and the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business released their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://online.flippingbook.com/view/889448164/" data-vars-content-id="b43b3b85-6759-415d-9793-5af32e3e9fb3" data-vars-headline="Key takeaways from the 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://online.flippingbook.com/view/889448164/" target="_blank">annual report</a> this week detailing how the region&#x27;s economy is going.

NWA home sales pace stays solid despite prices

More than 5,000 homes sold in Northwest Arkansas during the first half of 2025.

Even with record prices, more than 5,000 homes sold in Northwest Arkansas during the first half of 2025, according to the Arvest Skyline Report, released Tuesday.Why it matters: Rising housing prices and rents continue to shape who can afford to live in NWA. Lower- and middle-income households remain the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="squeezed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/01/31/bentonville-housing-affordability-development" data-vars-content-id="7f2e5e40-9bd4-4044-a710-f0103e205b94" data-vars-headline="NWA home sales pace stays solid despite prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/01/31/bentonville-housing-affordability-development" target="_self">squeezed</a> as supply struggles to match demand.

Report: NWA's commercial real estate is "remarkably healthy"

Low vacancy rates often signal strong economic demand but can drive up rents and limit space for businesses.

Real Estate

Northwest Arkansas&#x27; overall commercial real estate vacancy rate rose to 7.2%, according to the biannual Arvest Skyline Report, released Tuesday. It was up from 5.8% at the beginning of the year.Why it matters: Commercial property is an indicator of an area&#x27;s economic vitality. Low vacancy rates often signal strong economic demand but can drive up rents and limit space for businesses.

Walton-backed company takes over Bella Vista design standards

Blue Crane purchased developer rights from Cooper Communities.

Walton-backed company Blue Crane now runs the committee that decides whether you can paint your Bella Vista home hot pink.State of play: When Steuart and Tom Walton&#x27;s real estate company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="purchased land from Cooper Communities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/05/10/walton-backed-company-buys-up-bella-vista-land" data-vars-content-id="6d5913ac-8768-4d10-94b9-474df2c838bd" data-vars-headline="Walton-backed company takes over Bella Vista design standards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/05/10/walton-backed-company-buys-up-bella-vista-land" target="_self">purchased land from Cooper Communities</a> last year, it also purchased developer rights for most of the city and now runs the Architectural Control Committee, Bella Vista&#x27;s communications director Cassi Lapp explained.<ul><li>The committee is still in operation. Residents may check its policies and procedures <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bvacc.com/permits" data-vars-content-id="6d5913ac-8768-4d10-94b9-474df2c838bd" data-vars-headline="Walton-backed company takes over Bella Vista design standards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bvacc.com/permits" target="_blank">here</a>.</li></ul>

Report: Northwest Arkansas' office space still in high demand

Office vacancy hit a 15-year low in Northwest Arkansas.

Office vacancy rates in Northwest Arkansas fell to a 15-year low of 4%, while the national rate edged to a record 20.7% in Q2, according to a Cushman &amp; Wakefield Sage Partners analysis.Why it matters: Commercial property is an indicator of an area&#x27;s economic vitality. Low vacancy rates often signal strong economic demand but can drive up rents and limit space for businesses.

NWA's manor-style homes are pricier, harder to find

No matter the look, home prices have soared since the pandemic.

The hottest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/11/affordable-housing-crisis" data-vars-content-id="799672b1-a557-4d92-a6be-fab1cad9671a" data-vars-headline="NWA&#x27;s manor-style homes are pricier, harder to find" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/11/affordable-housing-crisis" target="_self">homes</a> on the market aren&#x27;t the showiest — they&#x27;re the ones buyers can still afford, Realtor.com <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/architecture-styles-review-2025" data-vars-content-id="799672b1-a557-4d92-a6be-fab1cad9671a" data-vars-headline="NWA&#x27;s manor-style homes are pricier, harder to find" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/architecture-styles-review-2025" target="_blank">finds</a>.Why it matters: In today&#x27;s expensive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/homes-buyers-sellers-redfin" data-vars-content-id="799672b1-a557-4d92-a6be-fab1cad9671a" data-vars-headline="NWA&#x27;s manor-style homes are pricier, harder to find" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/homes-buyers-sellers-redfin" target="_self">market</a>, fierce competition for cheaper homes is driving up their prices.

Northwest Arkansas' home prices compared

The median home sale price in Northwest Arkansas was $370,000 at the end of March.

The median home sale price in Northwest Arkansas was $370,000 at the end of March, below the national median of $431,000, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Redfin" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39340268.25045/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVkZmluLmNvbS91cy1ob3VzaW5nLW1hcmtldD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX253X2Fya2Fuc2FzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B12f04a6a" data-vars-content-id="74779f8e-eb25-4488-bb20-3b2603d9d1ea" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas&#x27; home prices compared" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39340268.25045/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVkZmluLmNvbS91cy1ob3VzaW5nLW1hcmtldD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX253X2Fya2Fuc2FzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B12f04a6a" target="_self">Redfin</a>.<ul><li>The median price statewide was $264,000.</li></ul>Yes, but: The average selling price for a single-family home during the last half of 2024 in Benton County was $449,750 according to the most recent Arvest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Skyline Report" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39340268.25045/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL253LWFya2Fuc2FzLzIwMjUvMDMvMjUvbm9ydGh3ZXN0LWFya2Fuc2FzLWhvbWUtc2FsZXM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9ud19hcmthbnNhcyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B35e10045" data-vars-content-id="74779f8e-eb25-4488-bb20-3b2603d9d1ea" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas&#x27; home prices compared" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39340268.25045/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL253LWFya2Fuc2FzLzIwMjUvMDMvMjUvbm9ydGh3ZXN0LWFya2Fuc2FzLWhvbWUtc2FsZXM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9ud19hcmthbnNhcyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B35e10045" target="_self">Skyline Report</a>.<ul><li>It was $402,322 in Washington County.</li></ul>Caveat: An average is calculated by adding the totals of all sales and dividing by the number of sales.<ul><li>The median is the middle value of all sales.</li></ul>

NWA's commercial real estate is "balanced," report finds

More than 2.1 million square feet of commercial real estate opened in Northwest Arkansas during the second half of 2023.

More than 2.1 million square feet of commercial real estate opened in Northwest Arkansas during the second half of 2023, but the overall vacancy rate dropped to slightly to 5.8%, according to the biannual commercial Arvest Skyline Report released Tuesday.Why it matters: Commercial property is an indicator of an area&#x27;s economic vitality. Vacancy rates in the single digits are generally good for developers but can drive up rent and make desirable space harder to find.

Northwest Arkansas home sales surge 14%

More than 5,300 homes sold during the second half of 2024, even though interest rates remain high.

Despite higher interest rates, more than 5,300 homes sold in Northwest Arkansas during the second half of 2024.The big picture: The total marks a 14% jump from a year earlier, making it the third-highest half-year number recorded in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="20 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/09/12/arvest-skyline-report-20-years-growth" data-vars-content-id="59db7ab8-a184-4cf6-873a-0d20b1c018c9" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas home sales surge 14%" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/09/12/arvest-skyline-report-20-years-growth" target="_self">20 years</a> by the biannual residential <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arvest Skyline Report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/09/12/nwa-real-estate-skyline-report-20-years" data-vars-content-id="59db7ab8-a184-4cf6-873a-0d20b1c018c9" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas home sales surge 14%" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/09/12/nwa-real-estate-skyline-report-20-years" target="_self">Arvest Skyline Report</a> released Tuesday.

Real Estate 🏠

Northwest Arkansas office vacancy rate among tightest in U.S.

Key takeaways from the 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region report

NWA home sales pace stays solid despite prices

Report: NWA's commercial real estate is "remarkably healthy"

Walton-backed company takes over Bella Vista design standards