A military drone maker's arrival in Fayetteville earlier this year is stirring fears about secrecy, safety and whether residents want a deep tie to the defense industry.

Why it matters: Residents and some city leaders say they had little visibility into a defense-related project that could reshape Fayetteville's economy — and identity.

• The issue highlights tension between economic development and community values, raising questions about transparency and public input in decisions that can shape a region.

State of play: Axios reviewed dozens of city documents and resident complaints obtained this week through public records requests, showing that nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) helped Swarm Aero establish a manufacturing facility without public input.

• Compounding the NDA issue, the city eventually classified the company as a "by-right industrial use" business, meaning it didn't need a city council vote to open.
• NDAs are common in economic development site-selection work, and there was no covert intent by the city, Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn told Axios.

Yes, but: Fayetteville Ward 2 Council Member Sarah Moore said that public institutions should not sign NDAs and that residents deserve a say in whether the city wants this type of industry.

• She was unaware of the project until a resident flagged the ribbon-cutting.

Driving the news: Fayetteville's Board of Adjustment is set to hear an appeal on Monday by a citizen who plans to argue Swarm's business was misclassified.

• Jesse Buchanan, the appellant, told Axios this week that Swarm's own public statements about large aircraft, future scaling and eventual manufacturing do not fit what most residents would understand as "light industrial."
• If the board agrees, the project could be forced into a more public rezoning process.

Flashback: In February, the company said it planned to build drones for military use. At the time, CEO Danny Goodman said Northwest Arkansas offered the talent, airport access and partnerships it needed after looking at more than 20 states.

• Co-founder Peter Kalogiannis said the Fayetteville site would start with about a dozen workers focused on research and development before scaling to full manufacturing.

What they're saying: "This work will create hundreds of high-skill jobs over the next decade as we build aircraft in volumes not seen since World War II," Goodman said at the event.

The other side: Moore said she was "gobsmacked" at the ribbon-cutting to see the company describe aircraft with a 41-foot wingspan.

• "I don't think it morally fits with the way we understand ourselves in Fayetteville," resident David Deutch told Axios.

What's next: Fayetteville's Board of Adjustments is scheduled to hear the appeal at 3:45 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

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Nearly two years after sustaining tornado damage, the historic Victory Theater in downtown Rogers will reopen this month ahead of its 100th birthday next year.

State of play: The city is resuming operations with a free six-part movie series tied to the U.S. 250th anniversary, said Kinya Christian, the arts, culture and film manager for Rogers. It kicks off April 25 with "Selma."

• Arkansas Public Theatre, a nonprofit community theater organization that previously operated out of the theater, is back with a six-show season starting with "Come From Away" on June 19.
• The Rogers Short Film Festival is also set for May 1-3.

Flashback: Before the 2024 Memorial Day weekend storms, the city had renovated the theater with plans to expand its programming, including a concert series.

• The building had significant water damage, Christian told Axios. The basement had to be gutted and the roof was replaced.
• The city purchased the theater in 2008.

What they're saying: The damage and closure was devastating, Christian said, but the city plans to move forward with year-round programming, including music at Victory Theater.

Zoom out: That's in line with an overall boost in city-run arts and culture events.

• In 2021, Rogers debuted the outdoor Butterfield Stage downtown, which hosts a free summer concert series. The Prairie View Jazz concert series at Mount Hebron Park that started last summer will be back this year, Christian said.

Follow the money: Rogers used a $1.2 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation, plus about $2 million from the city's budget, to renovate the theater before the storms, city spokesperson Peter Masonis told Axios.

• A combination of insurance and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money has gone toward the roughly $2.4 million in repair costs so far.

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🗓️ Margaret Atwood, best known for her book "The Handmaid's Tale," will speak on April 14 in Fayetteville as part of the University of Arkansas' Distinguished Lecture Series. (Fayetteville Flyer)

🎤 Fayetteville-based Big Box Karaoke plans to add a second location near downtown Bentonville. (Fayetteville Flyer)

• You'll probably find Alex, who celebrated her 30th birthday at the Fayetteville location, there. Worth, however, refuses to perform.

⚖️ Brian Hyatt, a psychiatrist and former chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board, has been indicted on charges that he drugged and abducted patients at Northwest Medical Center Behavioral Health Unit in Springdale. Seven mental health care workers, administrative employees and nurses who worked for Hyatt were also indicted. (AP)

👩‍🏫 University of Arkansas System President Jay Silveria fired a professor, Shirin Saeidi, overruling a faculty committee that recommended she keep her job. Saeidi was suspended in December over social media posts regarding Israel and Iran. (40/29)

Besides egg hunting, here are a few ideas for this weekend.

🤣 Comedy show — Comedian Fortune Feimster is performing two shows at 7pm and 9:30pm tonight at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.

• Tickets range from $42 to $56.

😎 Bentonville First Friday — This free, kid-friendly festival is back for the season from 3-8pm today on the downtown square featuring live music, food trucks and vendors.

💃 Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation performance — See a traditional Indian dance performance at 3pm Sunday at The Momentary in Bentonville. Tickets are free but must be reserved.

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