Insights from Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners’ Q1 Report
- Arkansas continued to outperform nationally, leading the U.S. in GDP growth for the third consecutive quarter, with strong contributions from manufacturing, health care, and professional services.
- Per capita income in NWA remained above the national average, with early 2025 estimates suggesting a modest uptick driven by continued job growth in tech and finance sectors.
- The Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) saw a 9% increase in Q1 2025 enplanements compared to Q1 2024, building on last year’s record-setting growth and maintaining its lead over Clinton National Airport in Little Rock.
- After receiving a $25 million federal grant in January, the Arkansas 112 Corridor upgrade advanced into active construction in March. The project consists of lane expansions, new roundabouts, and the 12-foot-wide pedestrian and bike trail. Phase two of the Springdale Bypass and the XNA connector continued on schedule, with visible progress reported and on-site employment nearing 1,000 workers across both projects.
- Venture capital momentum carried into 2025, with NWA startups raising over $28 million in Q1, particularly in AI-enabled health care and supply chain innovation.
- The $700 million partnership between the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Mercy, and Heartland Whole Health plans to make Northwest Arkansas a destination for care. The project will receive clinical support from Cleveland Clinic, positioning the region at the forefront of advanced care delivery.
