[nmnita]

Originally Posted by joebaldknobber

Bentonville, Rogers, Bella Vista will boom like no place else in the US in the next 5-10 years. Crystal Bridges Museum will be a big driver for recreation in Benton County.

thanks, yes, Crystal Bridges development shows what plans are in store for the NWA communities.

Nita

[z3124442]

Fort Smith

[North Pulaski Player]

I predict that in 20 years, 2/3 of the state's population will either be in the LR-NLR Metro or Northwest Arkansas Metro. LR MSA and NWA both offer something totally different and they will also grow in completely different ways - with the LR-NLR-Conway Metro growing like a traditional msa where most of the growth will be in areas outside of the anchor city (Saline, Lonoke, and Faulkner counties). NWA on the other hand will continue to grow evenly all throughout the metro area. The surprise in the next couple decades will be Jonesboro (population around 100,000 by 2030).

[SwinerBock]

In my humble opinion, I guess it depends on what you think a "boom" is. Yes, NW Arkansas and Little Rock are growing, but I think both may be past their "boom" stage. There have been a couple of news articles already this year about how Walmart is starting to "decentralize" their operations, and move some functions away from NW Arkansas.

I think Texarkana will be a "boomer", but it may take longer than the 15-20 year window. The I-49 project, the Trans-Texas corridor, high-speed rail that is being discussed... all of those together could have major impact for Texarkana.

I guess I hope for a boom in El Dorado. Murphy Oil is still here, there is still a lot of old money here, a new high school is being built, the El Dorado Promise is here, and the city has yet to really get cranking on economic development initiatives that have already been voted on and passed (once the new conference center is built, that should change). Those sort of things take time to bring about change. I guess time will tell.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by SwinerBock

In my humble opinion, I guess it depends on what you think a "boom" is. Yes, NW Arkansas and Little Rock are growing, but I think both may be past their "boom" stage. There have been a couple of news articles already this year about how Walmart is starting to "decentralize" their operations, and move some functions away from NW Arkansas.

I think Texarkana will be a "boomer", but it may take longer than the 15-20 year window. The I-49 project, the Trans-Texas corridor, high-speed rail that is being discussed... all of those together could have major impact for Texarkana.

I guess I hope for a boom in El Dorado. Murphy Oil is still here, there is still a lot of old money here, a new high school is being built, the El Dorado Promise is here, and the city has yet to really get cranking on economic development initiatives that have already been voted on and passed (once the new conference center is built, that should change). Those sort of things take time to bring about change. I guess time will tell.

Texarkana might we another growth area but watch for new industry to move into NWA and possible Little Rock. I don't think we will have to depend mostly on Wal Mart for our growth.

Nita

[SwinerBock]

Originally Posted by nmnita

Texarkana might we another growth area but watch for new industry to move into NWA and possible Little Rock. I don't think we will have to depend mostly on Wal Mart for our growth.

Nita

True. The UofA is beginning to be its own growth engine, supporting research, and helping turn that research into businesses. You never know what new technology will turn into the "next big thing".

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by NHartphotog

Walmart HQ in Fayetteville. Our (sad) economic future.

Actually, not.

[Dariusb]

Originally Posted by SwinerBock

In my humble opinion, I guess it depends on what you think a "boom" is. Yes, NW Arkansas and Little Rock are growing, but I think both may be past their "boom" stage. There have been a couple of news articles already this year about how Walmart is starting to "decentralize" their operations, and move some functions away from NW Arkansas.

I think Texarkana will be a "boomer", but it may take longer than the 15-20 year window. The I-49 project, the Trans-Texas corridor, high-speed rail that is being discussed... all of those together could have major impact for Texarkana.

I guess I hope for a boom in El Dorado. Murphy Oil is still here, there is still a lot of old money here, a new high school is being built, the El Dorado Promise is here, and the city has yet to really get cranking on economic development initiatives that have already been voted on and passed (once the new conference center is built, that should change). Those sort of things take time to bring about change. I guess time will tell.

Yeah I-49 will/has factored in big with our growth. A lot of businesses that have located here or expanded cite I-49 as one of the reasons for their opening shop here. From what I've heard the Trans Texas Corridor is now dead although we will be on the high speed rail network and a spur of I-69 will be built here. On I-30 just about all the interchanges in town are being re done for the frontage road project which is scheduled to be completed next year sometime. Transportation won't be the only factors in our growth. Education is playing a big part as well. On the Texas side a new Texas A&M campus is being built and once completed could offer courses to up to 10,000 students. On the Ark side there are rumors of a satellite of South Arkansas University to be built but nothing has been formally announced so we'll have to wait and see about that. The last time I went through El Dorado was in 2007. It seemed to be a nice little city.

[SwinerBock]

Originally Posted by Dariusb

Yeah I-49 will/has factored in big with our growth. A lot of businesses that have located here or expanded cite I-49 as one of the reasons for their opening shop here. From what I've heard the Trans Texas Corridor is now dead although we will be on the high speed rail network and a spur of I-69 will be built here. On I-30 just about all the interchanges in town are being re done for the frontage road project which is scheduled to be completed next year sometime. Transportation won't be the only factors in our growth. Education is playing a big part as well. On the Texas side a new Texas A&M campus is being built and once completed could offer courses to up to 10,000 students. On the Ark side there are rumors of a satellite of South Arkansas University to be built but nothing has been formally announced so we'll have to wait and see about that. The last time I went through El Dorado was in 2007. It seemed to be a nice little city.

LOL. Regarding I-69, at this rate, you may get your "spur" before we get the interstate itself.

[Old Gringo]

Bella Vista

In fact, I'd bet that the entire NW corner of Arkansas will continue to grow at a fast pace. Real pleasant area.