According to the Northwest Arkansas Council, northwest Arkansas—encompassing Benton, Madison and Washington counties—is growing rapidly. The region has a current population of over 576,000 people and is predicted to reach 1 million residents by 2050, with an estimated 36 people moving to NWA per day, making it the 18th fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States.
While the economy in NWA is booming, the region is feeling strain from rapid population growth. With that growth comes challenges with housing, affordability, transportation, infrastructure and keeping up with quality-of-life expectations. Community leaders are searching for resources to overcome those challenges. To assist, the University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development created the Community Development Pipeline Program, funded by the Walton Family Foundation.
The vision of the three-year Pipeline Program is to train community leaders on foundational community and economic development principles, positively impact and uplift the economies and quality of life of communities whose leaders participate in the program, and develop new relationships that build bridges across Arkansas communities. In short, the program provides training and technical assistance to create positive opportunities for growing NWA communities.
When Pipeline debuted in 2023, 25 community leaders were selected through a competitive application process to participate in the program. These leaders represented the full spectrum of the community and economic development field: government, business, the arts, health care, education and nonprofit work. By December 2025, the conclusion of the three-year program, 22 of those leaders successfully completed the program, graduating from the Community Development Institute training program and meeting evaluation metrics.
“The Pipeline Program provides a great knowledge base and wonderful connections with community partners,” said cohort member Lydia Alston, development specialist at the Community Development Corporation of Bentonville + Bella Vista, Inc. “We now have a group of working professionals in northwest Arkansas who have a greater understanding of community and economic development, many of whom are public officials. The benefits of this program will be seen for years and years to come. I cannot emphasize enough what a value-add this program is to northwest Arkansas.”
Pea Ridge Mayor Nathan See (back, second from left) appreciates the program’s proactive approach. “The Pipeline Program has provided me with tools to be an advocate for our community and region,” he said. “It is essential to have leaders who have the knowledge, connections and resources to sustain positive, planned growth.” See and other Pea Ridge officials and employees show off t-shirts bearing the growing city’s new logo.
Cohort members and other NWA community leaders engaged in 54 unique technical assistance opportunities supporting their communities and organizations. Examples of those opportunities include economic development action plans in Pea Ridge and Elkins; walk audits in Prairie Grove, Springdale and Pea Ridge; community branding initiatives in Centerton, Elkins and Pea Ridge; poverty simulations supporting youth leaders in Fayetteville and Washington County as well as health professionals within Springdale schools; and skills-based development workshops across the region. In total, over 2,500 residents of northwest Arkansas directly engaged in Pipeline assistance programs.
The Community Development Pipeline Program is more than an educational opportunity. It is a catalyst for lasting change. For those ready to step into an expanded leadership role and make a difference, the Pipeline Program is essential. Strong communities start with strong leaders.
The next iteration of the Pipeline Program will be offered in 2026-2028. To learn more visit uca.edu/cced/cd-pipeline-program. The training and technical assistance offered are not limited to NWA; they are available throughout the state. Reach out to UCA CCED staff to learn more about services offered.
