Walmart heirs Steuart and Tom Walton want to make Arkansas one of the world’s greatest cycling destinations. That’s just part of their plan.
Read MORE.
Walmart heirs Steuart and Tom Walton want to make Arkansas one of the world’s greatest cycling destinations. That’s just part of their plan.
Read MORE.
Northwest Arkansas has the potential to be a leader in aviation, but creating a culture to support the industry is a slow process, Steuart Walton told Axios. Driving the news: UP.Partners, Steuart and Tom Walton, and Ross Perot Jr. hosted UP.Summit in Bentonville this week, an event that draws established…Read More
“How long is it until all of us can get up in one of these things? I think it might be a little while,” Steuart Walton said of the new technologies on display at UP.Summit. “But this is about a long-term vision.” The goal of holding the summit in Bentonville…Read More
Inside the downtown Bentonville event venue Record on Wednesday night (May 11), famed singer/songwriter and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams perhaps summed it best.“This is a very powerful room,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of energy in here tonight.”Williams made the comments before a high-level crowd of approximately 300 policymakers, investors, business…Read More
More than six million people have visited the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art since it opened in 2011. Alice Walton's beautiful oasis has transformed the once-sleepy town of Bentonville, Arkansas, into a thriving artists' community. Watch her and Crystal Bridges Chairperson Olivia Walton as they share their perspective on…Read More
Plug and Play's Supply Chain Innovation Platform is excited to announce the closing of Plug and Play Supply Chain Fund I, L.P., a $25.5 million venture capital fund focusing on investments across the end-to-end supply chain. The Plug and Play Supply Chain Fund will focus on investing in Series A-C…Read More
A new festival is coming to Northwest Arkansas courtesy of a partnership among OZ Brands, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary. FORMAT -- "For Music + Art + Technology" -- is planned to take place Sept. 23-25 on the private Sugar Creek Airstrip, a place with 250…Read More
Certain cities always lead the conversation when discussing the best restaurant markets in America. New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago are mainstays, and Portland, Ore., Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New Orleans and Houston are also ubiquitous. But in recent years, smaller cities have begun to open and operate some…Read More
Arkansas entrepreneurs are making a bold claim to be a global giant in next generation transportation, including flying cars, driverless vehicles, and drones. This claim follows Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson’s recent announcement to create the Arkansas Council on Future Mobility, an advisory board committed to attracting businesses, startups, innovators, and…Read More
Rather than describing us as "the next Austin," the Walton brothers painted a picture of a place that's to middle America what Colorado is to the American West--a less crowded state that offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, an emphasis on the arts and fine, reasonably priced cuisine. Such a lifestyle…Read More
Olivia Walton is also enthusiastic about Northwest Arkansas’ place in the national arts conversation. “I think we’re on the map; I think Bentonville is up there with Marfa,” she said, referencing the small west Texas town that’s known as an arts hub. “Whenever I’m on the coasts, people know of…Read More
Don't miss part one of an interview with Steuart Walton, focusing on Bentonville's past. We'll reminisce about unique experiences growing up in Bentonville, hear Steuart's favorite memory of his grandfather, and discuss why the sense of community has been (and continues to be) so strong in our city.
Ambitious young college graduates are looking for an affordable home base where they can build their families and careers. Here’s a place that may not (yet) be on their list: Arkansas. For the past decade, coastal metros like New York and San Francisco dominated the landscape for the upwardly mobile,…Read More
Olivia Walton, the new board chair for the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, is full of hints of what’s to come. Named in mid-November to the post, she takes over for museum founder Alice Walton in that role. Olivia Walton, a former technology reporter for Bloomberg and NBC, is…Read More
Downtown Bentonville is filled with a bunch of great dining options. When we were researching our upcoming visit, one name piqued our interest. Being a minister’s son, the premise behind The Preacher’s Son sounded intriguing. Working with Visit Bentonville, we were able to make our visit a reality. When the…Read More
Bentonville is probably most famous for being the birthplace of Walmart, but the growing Arkansas city offers more than just big-box history. Museum fans can check out the Museum of Native American History, as well as the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and its satellite, the Momentary. There are…Read More
"I believe that with today’s announcement about the selection of Katherine Andrews to lead the new Outdoor Recreation office with a dedicated team, we will make Arkansas a formidable competitor in tourism, talent and industry recruitment, and of course, outdoor experiences that rival the best in the nation." ~ Tom…Read More
Patriot Software Company, a leading accounting software and payroll software provider, announced that it has raised an undisclosed amount in Series-A funding, led by RZC Investments. Located in Bentonville, Arkansas, RZC Investments is a multi-strategy investment firm focused on deploying capital into operating businesses.
Willowbrook Elementary School won the top prize in a bike contest to promote student health and to better understand school infrastructure needs, according to campaign organizers. Runway Group will donate more than $40,000 to Bentonville schools in response to the students' cycling efforts, said Krista Cupp, Runway's communications director. Steuart…Read More
The Walton Family Foundation is providing more than $1.3 million to plant 1,239 new trees in Northwest Arkansas and give away 5,375 trees to local residents. The move is an effort to “increase and diversify the region’s tree canopy” and comes at the recommendation of Steuart Walton, according to a…Read More
Rapha brings its pop-up retail store to this growing cycling destination in Northwest Arkansas for a five-week run, featuring apparel, group rides, and events. The company moved its headquarters to Bentonville last year. Beginning Oct. 1, the cycling apparel brand will open its Clubhouse at 117 W. Central Ave. in…Read More
The Walton Family Foundation studies show cycling was responsible for $137 million in benefits brought to Northwest Arkansas in 2017, according to the 2018 Economic and Health Benefits of Bicycling in Northwest Arkansas. That figure includes $51 million in economic activity and $86 million in health benefits. The foundation has…Read More
“I want to be able to help make this community of northwest Arkansas the best place to live in the U.S. for everyone who is here right now, but also those who will move here in the future,” Peredo said. “What does someone new to the area need to feel…Read More
The backcountry aviation arm of Thaden Field’s offerings is called Fly Oz, directed by pilots Chip Gibbons and Steve Johnson. Runway Group created the initiative as an opportunity for pilots and non-pilots to connect to outdoor recreation opportunities through a network of grass airstrips tucked away in the state’s mostly…Read More
With hundreds of bicycles on school campuses this year, Bentonville Schools is launching a competition called Bike Bentonville Schools. The effort aims to encourage healthy lifestyles among students in the Mountain Biking Capital of the World™. The Bentonville school with the highest percentage of students riding bicycles to class between…Read More
Walmart heir and philanthropist Alice Walton and her foundation will partner with the Cleveland Clinic to improve specialty care access in Northwest Arkansas. The Alice L Walton Foundation announced on Monday (Aug. 16) that the two organizations will assess specialty care needs in the region and develop recommendations for healthcare…Read More
This fall, students at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) and Minneapolis Community & Technical College can study bikes. The Bicycle Assembly and Repair Technician Certificate program — being offered at both schools for the first time — is an accelerated, two-semester program designed to prepare students for employment in the…Read More
Allied Cycle Works in Rogers is part of an exclusive club of bike makers that's not only based in the U.S., but crafts frames from lightweight carbon fiber. The big picture: The vast majority of an estimated 15 million bikes sold in the U.S. each year are imported — mostly…Read More
I’d heard buzz about the Bentonville aviation scene and decided to fly my Piper Super Cub out and spend a few days exploring. I taxied tentatively up to a Frank Lloyd Wright-looking FBO with a roundabout aircraft apron in front. Surrounded by more expensive and impressive pistons, turboprops, and jets,…Read More
Northwest Arkansas' creative economy is getting a boost through the Momentary's Courtyard Sessions concert series following a year of venue closings and programming restrictions because of the covid-19 pandemic, coordinators say. The series began June 27 and features free, live music by Northwest Arkansas artists from 4:30-7 p.m. Sundays through…Read More
The name "Mountain Bike Capital of the World" isn't stolen, assures Belgian Trial Bike World Champion and professional mountain biker Kenny Belaey. "I have definitely ridden my bike in more, like, epic places. If you talk about landscapes, or maybe gnarly terrain, yes. But what makes Bentonville the MTB capital…Read More
“We are working to take Northwest Arkansas to new heights by focusing on investments, businesses, and brands to drive this catalytic change in the region and in all of Arkansas,” said Runway CEO Chad Yoes. “Positive change comes by taking action and making an effort, and that is what we…Read More
Unlike other popular mountain biking destinations, such as the mountains of Colorado or Utah or Whistler, the lower altitude here means less gasping and puffing. And everything’s easy to reach from downtown Bentonville, eliminating the need to load your bike into a car to reach a trailhead. Read MORE.
In celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, we wanted to highlight amazing history-making women who are from or live in Northwest Arkansas. We are proud to carry on their legacies, keep reading to learn more about each of them. Thank you to Arkansas Women's History Institute for…Read More
This spring, Fayetteville, Arkansas, will host a new event, the OZ Trails™ US Pro Cup, as part of the 2021 U.S. Cup Mountain Bike Series. The event will be held over two weekends, April 9-11 and April 16-18, at Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain in Fayetteville, home of the Union…Read More
Common, the leading real estate brand and tech-driven operating platform, has chosen the finalists for the Remote Work Hub, a Request For Proposals (RFP) to design and build a first-of-its-kind development for a distributed workforce. The five finalists represent five different unique visions and categories of emerging cities that are…Read More
Once again, world-renowned artists have ventured to The Natural State, unleashing an explosion of creativity in the form of vibrant murals with positive messages. This time their creations were not limited to a specific city; the entire state became their ARkanvas. Twelve muralists embraced nine cities, crafting works of art…Read More
All Kids Bike, a nationwide movement of the Strider Education Foundation, is on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bicycle in kindergarten PE class. Marking the program’s second anniversary, an ALL STAR roster of celebrity athletes delivered bikes to kindergarten students at Sugar Creek…Read More
The Arkansas Good Roads Foundation is launching a year-long campaign to raise awareness of roadway laws for cyclists & motorists alike, ensuring safer roads for everyone. To get things started, they hosted a livestream panel discussion for community leaders to learn more about their mission. You can watch the replay…Read More
The Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation says it will donate $194.7 million to the UA. The five-year grant will strengthen the university’s research initiatives and, among other things, support the construction of a new research facility. According to the UA, the donation is one of the most significant single private…Read More
The Runway Group commissioned a survey of 600 Arkansans (PDF download) to assist the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force to better understand issues associated with the economic recovery and how to focus their ongoing work. The results of the survey were shared with the Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s administration and have…Read More
Bentonville has approximately 130 miles of singletrack connected to downtown Bentonville, with access to more than 250 miles of unrivaled regional trails in a network that sits at the heart of the state’s OZ Trails system. Hospitality opportunities abound – whether it be award-winning restaurants, a vibrant coffee scene, or…Read More
Decades-Long Effort on Mountain Biking Brings City Officials and Leaders together to make a Worldwide Announcement Bentonville, Ark. (July 1, 2020) – Bentonville leaders have staked their city’s claim as Mountain Biking Capital of the World™. “It’s true that Bentonville has become the new Mountain Biking Capital of the World™,”…Read More
Steuart Walton helped honor frontline heroes in the fight against Covid-19 by leading a fleet of World War II-era military aircraft on a statewide flyover last weekend. “Social distancing prohibits us from shaking the hands of people we want to honor, but this flyover allows to do so from above.”…Read More
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Saturday (April 18) announced that Steuart Walton of Bentonville will chair a newly established Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force. “Arkansas businesses, leaders, and families have already taken extraordinary steps to come together during these past few weeks. With Governor Hutchinson’s leadership, we are united no…Read More
Northwest Arkansas was the 13th fastest-growing metro area in the United States between 2010 and 2019 and the 24th fastest growing metro from 2018 to 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Among U.S. counties with at least 20,000 people, Benton County was the 40th fastest growing county between 2010…Read More
The University of Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center and the Northwest Arkansas Council are partnering on a Small Business Emergency Assistance program – an effort to support small businesses and nonprofits in the region impacted by the coronavirus. The program website is available here. “Given the current COVID-19…Read More
Backcountry aviation is part of the magic Northwest Arkansas and the Ozarks have to offer. New adventure awaits.
Here is a list of important resources in our Northwest Arkansas communities. We will continue to update this list as we get more information. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Latest CDC Updates on COVID-19 Arkansas Department of Health https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus Community Clinic announced it will open four testing and treatment…Read More
Today Heartland Forward released new research, “Millennials Find New Hope In The Heartland,” analyzing demographic trends in the center of the country. The research, led by Senior Fellow Joel Kotkin, finds the Heartland is attracting and retaining millennials at higher rates than in the past. Read MORE.
Northwest Arkansas’ growing reputation as a hub for cycling and mountain biking is adding a feather in its cap. London-based cycling company Rapha is moving its North American headquarters from Portland, Ore., to Bentonville. “Over the next few years the Rapha brand will evolve into new markets and we need…Read More
The League of American Bicyclists honored 103 organizations with new Bicycle Friendly Business awards and renewed or upgraded 50 others. Runway Group is honored to have been upgraded to “Platinum” status. This round of Bicycle Friendly Businesses also shows how communities are rallying around bicycling being good for businesses. Places…Read More
Rapha announced a renewed partnership with EF Pro Cycling for 2020, not only making the team’s eye-popping pink and blue kit for the season but also highlighting some of the riders’ forays into the ‘alternative calendar’ in a series of videos dubbed “Alt Cal”. The company aims to highlight unique…Read More
The Momentary will continue Northwest Arkansas’s cultural journey through art, music, and food that unites the hobbies and interests of community members from various backgrounds and experiences. The artists and performers featured at the Momentary will also reflect the diverse complexity of the community and the nation. Read MORE.
The Bentonville-based airport Louise M. Thaden Field has been awarded “Southwest Region Airport of the Year” by the Federal Aviation Administration. This award recognizes the airport for hard work and commitment toward safer runways, reducing back taxing and accommodating additional aircraft of all sorts. Read MORE.
Aircraft manufacturer Game Composites has received its Production Certificate from the FAA for the GB1 Gamebird. This marks the first time in 23 years a Production Certificate has been awarded to a general aviation manufacturer. The Production Certificate marks the last of many milestones for Game Composites in the journey…Read More