Groundwork Arkansas

Groundwork Arkansas We’re here to foster open and respectful dialogue. Our team reserves the right to moderate or remove comments that violate these guidelines.

Groundwork’s mission is to provide strategic regional leadership, expertise and resources to strengthen communities for working families near employment, commercial and cultural centers in Arkansas. While we welcome diverse opinions, personal attacks, insults, or disrespectful comments directed at others will not be tolerated. Let’s keep this a space where everyone feels safe to participate and be heard.

"Development incentives" is a term that gets thrown around in housing and economic development conversations, but it's o...
05/21/2026

"Development incentives" is a term that gets thrown around in housing and economic development conversations, but it's often misunderstood. They're not giveaways, and they're not offered to every project that asks. They're a tool to close the gap between what it costs to build and what the market can support. Read our development incentives blog at the link in comments.

Join us on May 27th for "Planning for Growth on Your Own Terms" webinar. Mayor Nathan See of Pea Ridge, Arkansas and Aud...
05/20/2026

Join us on May 27th for "Planning for Growth on Your Own Terms" webinar. Mayor Nathan See of Pea Ridge, Arkansas and Audra Butler, Director of Rural Housing at Communities Unlimited will share firsthand insights into leading a periphery town situated next to one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the nation.

We will explore how to draft flexible housing plans when growth is unpredictable and how to navigate the challenge of funding new services before a stronger tax base arrives. These hard-won lessons will be translated into a practical roadmap for any town in Arkansas. Whether your community is on the edge of a boom or looking to revitalize, you will gain specific strategies to move beyond reactive growing pains toward proactive and resilient community building.

Register for this free webinar at the link in comments

Housing that communities need doesn't always get built and the reason is usually the same. Construction costs are high, ...
05/19/2026

Housing that communities need doesn't always get built and the reason is usually the same. Construction costs are high, financing is expensive, and in many places rents haven't kept pace. Development incentives exist to close that gap. The key is using incentives well. Read our full guide at the link in comments.

When rural towns lose population, the effects stack up fast. Businesses close as the customer base shrinks, schools cons...
05/14/2026

When rural towns lose population, the effects stack up fast. Businesses close as the customer base shrinks, schools consolidate, and vacant housing spreads through neighborhoods.
But population decline isn't a verdict. It's a signal. And practical housing policy is one of the most direct ways communities can respond. Groundwork's GROW policy framework highlights strategies that can help rural towns stabilize and attract new residents by expanding housing options and reducing barriers to development. Learn more at the link in comments.

Housing conversations are hard. CHATS makes them easier. CNU attendees, join us for CHATS! Friday, May 15 · 1:45 - 3:00 ...
05/12/2026

Housing conversations are hard. CHATS makes them easier.
CNU attendees, join us for CHATS! Friday, May 15 · 1:45 - 3:00 · Bentonville First Baptist Church, Studio 2

What happens when there are limited housing options in a tourist town? When housing supply doesn’t keep pace, residents ...
05/11/2026

What happens when there are limited housing options in a tourist town? When housing supply doesn’t keep pace, residents may struggle to find options that fit their needs and communities can face longer commute patterns. Groundwork’s GROW policy framework highlights practical strategies that can help communities continue to benefit from tourism while also meeting the needs of their residents. The result: a town where the people who make tourism work can afford to live there. Learn more about the GROW recommendations at the link in comments.

The H&T Index, developed by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, measures the combined cost of housing and transporta...
05/04/2026

The H&T Index, developed by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, measures the combined cost of housing and transportation relative to income. When those two costs together exceed 45% of household income, a family is considered cost-burdened. Many towns are navigating this challenge that shows up quietly in longer commutes, tighter budgets, and families stretched thin. Arkansas has comparatively low housing costs but transportation burdens are quietly erasing that advantage for many working families. Understanding the full picture is the first step to protecting it.

Small towns on the edge of major metros face a unique dilemma: how do you build for tomorrow when you are still catching...
04/30/2026

Small towns on the edge of major metros face a unique dilemma: how do you build for tomorrow when you are still catching up to today? Join us on May 27th at 9am for a free webinar: Planning for Growth on Your Own Terms. Pea Ridge Mayor See and Director of Housing for Communities Unlimited Audra Butler will deep dive into the challenges of peripheral growth, where towns often absorb population without the immediate economic benefits seen by their larger neighbors. Registration at the link in comments.

City of Pea Ridge, Ar
Communities Unlimited

04/30/2026

64% of Arkansas households are 2 people or less yet our regulatory environment makes it easiest to build larger homes. That mismatch is at the heart of Arkansas's housing challenge.

Groundwork is expanding statewide, and we're focused on the regulatory barriers standing between Arkansas communities and the housing options they actually need. We're conducting a statewide listening tour to understand the needs of communities across Arkansas. Our goal is to craft solutions that give every community more housing options and more housing types, while preserving the character that makes each place unique.

Catch Groundwork Executive Director Duke McLarty's full conversation with KATV at the link in comments.

Address

4100 Corporate Center Drive # 205
Springdale, AR
72762

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Groundwork Arkansas posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Groundwork Arkansas:

Shortcuts

Share

Category