Metroplan
Metroplan Awards $2.3M to Central Arkansas
The awards will go toward several projects, including new trails, sidewalks, bike paths and routes to schools. read more >
Entegrity Powers Fort Smith Housing with Solar Amid Net-Metering Policy Shift
As Arkansas' solar era shifts, Entegrity powers homes in Fort Smith with a nearly 1-megawatt array, cutting energy costs for elderly and disabled residents in affordable housing. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Metroplan Awarded $913K Road Safety Grant
Funds will be used to address key safety issues in high-speed intersections and EMS operations. read more >
Metroplan Awards $17.4M to Transportation Projects in Central Arkansas
Sherwood received the largest grant, a $4 million award, for roadway improvements on Jacksonville Cato Road from Lybrand Drive to Highway 107. read more >
$99.9M Federal Grant to Fund Climate Pollution Reduction Efforts in Arkansas
The grant will fund sustainability projects throughout central Arkansas, northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas River Valley. read more >
Leisure & Hospitality Leads Job Growth in Central Arkansas
The two biggest drivers of job growth in central Arkansas in the last year have been in the sectors of leisure and hospitality and health and education, according to the […] read more >
Job Growth in Little Rock Metro Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Peak
More businesses are looking to hire — the challenge will be finding workers. read more >
Metroplan Awards $16.5M in Transportation Grants
Fifteen projects that address safety and congestion issues in central Arkansas received funds. read more >
Casey Covington Named Executive Director of Metroplan
Covington follows Tab Townsell in the role. Townsell, a former Conway mayor, retired earlier this year after leading the organization for six years. read more >
Central Arkansas Retail Sales Decline 1.5% in 2022
Retail sales have been volatile in recent years. read more >
Single-Family Housing Construction Slows in Little Rock Metro
Rising interest rates are taking a toll. read more >
Shifting Job Trends in Central Arkansas Economy
The biggest changes were in the wholesale trade and especially the transportation-warehouse-utility sectors. read more >
$2M Awarded for Transportation Safety Projects in Arkansas
Six projects across the state received funds. read more >
Central Arkansas Job Growth Above Pre-Pandemic Levels
“There are signs of structural economic change underway,” Metroplan said in a December report, pointing to the area’s manufacturing and logistics sectors in particular. read more >
Central Arkansas Housing Starts Highest Since 2007
The greatest uptick was in North Little Rock. read more >
Arkansas Deaths Exceed Births in 2021
Based on this year’s trends, deaths in 2022 will come in lower than in 2021. Regional population will continue growing, but more slowly than in the past. read more >
Northwest Bike Boom Inspires More Trails
Other Arkansas cities plan greenways of their own. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Little Rock Region Saw Post-COVID Housing Boom, Report Says
Housing starts in the region hit a 14-year high. Meanwhile, affordability remained among the best in the nation, according to Metroplan. read more >
Southwest Trail Project Gets $2M in Federal Grants
Half the funds will go toward restoring the historic Saline River Bridge near Benton. read more >
Central Arkansas Job Change Compared with US
Although most industries saw losses during the period, U.S. warehousing jobs grew quickly, according to Metroplan’s latest report on economic trends in the region. read more >
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