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Hi Community Members!

Latest census population estimates from 2023 were released last week. Here are some Benton County cities of note with their 2022 vs. 2023 estimates:

Bella Vista - 32,368 (31,712 in 2022)

Bentonville - 59,471 (57,873 in 2022)

Centerton - 23,953 (21,540 in 2022) 👀 📈

Pea Ridge - 8,680 (7,858 in 2022) 👀 📈

Rogers - 74,035 (72,999 in 2022)

Siloam Springs - 19,336 (18,628 in 2022)

- Christine

Local Events

  • Wednesday, May 22nd at 5 p.m. - Bentonville Moves Coalition Celebrates SW Gator Road Reopening at SW Gator Blvd in Bentonville; the public is welcome to join the celebration of the extension of SW Gator to SW Morningstar (creating an essential east/west route). Key improvement features 3 lanes for vehicles and bus transit, green space, 5 foot sidewalk on one side, and a 12 foot shared use path on the other side which will be incorporated into a future SW trail loop

  • Thursday, May 30th from 11:30 - 1 p.m. - LatinXNA Leader Resource Group Conference at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville; through engaging discussion with the panel and thought-provoking learnings from the keynote, Mary Ann Gomez Orta, President and CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute - you’ll leave with an empowering refresh of how to Unlock the Power of Preparation in your Career. Young professionals and senior leaders alike are highly encouraged to join and learn the value of showing up for their team, their community, and themselves. Event is FREE, register HERE.

  • Saturday, June 8th - Democratic Party of Arkansas Fisher Shackelford Dinner at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock; This event is dedicated to honoring and empowering remarkable women who have tirelessly worked to build a brighter Arkansas. This year’s honorees include State Senator Linda Chesterfield, Dawne Vandiver, and Benton County’s own Young Democrat Micah Wallace. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Community Involvement Opportunities

Volunteer Campaign Treasurer Opportunities

Are you detail oriented, and do you have basic excel/google sheet skills? Then volunteering as a Campaign Treasurer could be a great way to support one or more local campaigns without having to socialize! 🤣

Depending on the type of campaign and how much contributions/expenses incurred, the amount of volunteer work can vary from 1-2 hours a month to 4-5 hours a month from now until the end of the calendar year. Working as a treasurer does NOT require a math/CPA background. Training will be provided!

Please respond to this email if you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity.

NWA Music Census

The NWA Music Census is a community-led initiative to gain a better understanding of the needs of our region's music ecosystem. The census captures key information that will lead to more informed, data-driven decisions that support the region's music community.

Who should take the census? Anyone 18 years or older and living in Benton or Washington County who contributes any type of music-related work, with or without compensation. Anyone who believes their skills and commitment are worthy of acknowledgment and support. This includes part-time work, rarely paid work or volunteer work, and work that is more administrative than creative.

The 10-minute survey will ask questions specific to the realities of music and live entertainment workers, including general information about their demographics and occupation types and their perspective on issues such as belonging and inclusion. Survey will be open through May 24th.

Take the NWA Music Census

Write Postcards for MomsRising’s 2024 Get out the Vote Campaign!

MomsRising is making it super easy (and FREE) for you to participate in their powerful Get-Out-The-Vote effort for the 2024 election!

Sign up now to write 20 postcards to registered mom voters who may need an extra nudge to get to the polls!

They’ll send you a packet of 20 pre-addressed, pre-stamped postcards along with some quick instructions. All you'll need to do is write a quick note of encouragement (they'll provide sample messages) and send them back to them in a pre-paid envelope that they will provide.

Join the Post Card Writing Campaign

Municipal Government Awareness

Bella Vista
Bentonville

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 28 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • Read Jeff Della Rosa’s writeup in Talk Business & Politics of Steuart Walton’s interview at the Midcontinent Venture Summit from earlier this month, “Walton highlights Bentonville investments, what makes it great”

    • Mayor Stephanie Orman told the NWA Dem Gazette that she intends to run for reelection this year

    • Coffee with the Mayor zoom event discussing the Bentonville Public Library will be Tuesday, May 21st at 8 a.m., register HERE

Cave Springs

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • The public hearing for the Rogers/Cave Springs land swap will be held on May 21st at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Building (168 Glenwood Ave). The official vote to consider an ordinance to concur in the simultaneous detachment and annexation will take place for both cities May 28, 2024 at their scheduled City Council meeting.

Centerton

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 11 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)

  • Items of Note:

    • Public hearing to present and discuss the design plans and Environmental Assessment for the proposed widening of Highway 102 from Highway 279 South to Highway 102B as well as the addition of a roundabout and traffic signal in the city of Centerton in Benton County. The project Location and Design Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. at the Centerton Municipal Building (210 Municipal Drive). Comments for this meeting will be received through Friday, June 21, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.. Learn more HERE.

Gravette

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)

  • Items of Note:

    • The city is looking for volunteers (hey Gravette HS students!) to help with the 131st Gravette Day on August 10th. Volunteers are needed for a time commitment of two-hours for a variety of tasks, including monitoring Kid Zone, clean up, and more. Apply HERE.

Lowell

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • Lowell 46th annual Mudtown Days are coming up on June 7th & 8th

Pea Ridge

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • Did you know the city has an app? Find and download for Apple HERE and Google Play HERE

Rogers

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 28 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)

  • Items of Note:

    • Rogers Mayor, Greg Hines, announced last week that he will seek reelection this November.

    • Have you tried the Rogers Connect mobile app? You can easily book ball fields or rent a pavilion, see the latest news about city projects, or report problems like a broken traffic light or a lost animal. Fine and download for Apple HERE and Google Play HERE.

Siloam Springs

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)

  • Items of Note:

    • New WOKA Trails opened last Friday for the community to use; learn more HERE

    • The Siloam Springs annexation proposal will be on the board agenda on the 21st

Springdale

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 28 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • Last week the city council voted 5-2 to approve the resolution supporting the purchase of the former ATCO Rubber Products location at 1403 Powell St (est. cost of $3.2M); read more from Tom Sissom with the NWA Dem Gazz HERE

    • Also last week, the council tabled the decision to purchase a greenhouse for the city (cost of $225k); council members wanted more information on the project before reviewing the proposal again at the May 20th meeting

    • Jones Center hires Joe Lloyd as President, CEO - read more from Paul Gatling at Talk Business & Politics HERE

    • Interested in serving on a Board or Commission in Springdale? Apply now! Options include, but are not limited to: Airport Commission, Library Board, Public Facilities Board, Advertising and Promotion Commission, and many others.

County Government Awareness

Benton County Assessor’s Office

🎗 If you haven’t already for 2024, you must complete your personal property assessment by MAY 31st! Click HERE to begin the process. 🎗

Benton County Planning Board

From Thomas Saccente’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz:

The Benton County Planning Board unanimously approved the site plan for the proposed Beaver Water District solar project (40 acres at Nail Ave & Primrose Rd - near Lowell). The Beaver Water District COO indicated the project will provide an emissions-free, sustainable source for about 20% of the district’s current electric needs. They estimate a savings of between $7-$10M over the life of the project.

Benton County Quorum Court

Upcoming Meetings (all at 215 E. Central Ave):

  • Committee of the Whole - Tuesday, May 21st at 6 p.m.

  • Development Review Committee - Wednesday, May 22nd at 10 a.m.

  • Quorum Court - Thursday, May30th at 6 p.m.

State Government Awareness

LEARNS Act:

Public Comment Period has opened for new/updates to rules tied to the LEARNS legislation for education. I’ve listed some below, to find all pending rules go HERE. Email your comments to Andres Rhodes by the dates outlined below.

94th General Legislative Assembly:

Fiscal session closed last week, with some things to keep an eye on:

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:

If you haven’t already, read Dana Liebelson’s article in Politico, “A Governor Who Doesn’t Seem to Have Much Interest in Governing Arkansas” - Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ increasing number of critics think she’s too worried about her national profile

Arkansas Studies

Arkansas Center for Health Improvement published a report this month about Teen Births in Arkansas. Read the full report HERE.

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“Arkansas has been slower than other states to adopt comprehensive, evidence-based practices to reduce teen pregnancy and teen birth rates. Arkansas is one of 22 states that do not require schools to teach reproductive health education, although Arkansas does require that if sex education is offered, instruction must stress abstinence. Of the 28 states, plus the District Columbia, that require sex and HIV education programs, only 18 require that content be medically accurate. Arkansas does not require medically accurate sex education instruction.”

From the ACHI report

Election Information

Benton County Justice of the Peace District 4 Democratic Vacancy

Due to the Democratic candidate (Letisha Hinds) moving outside of her district, the Democratic Party of Benton County has the opportunity to select a new candidate to run for the Benton County Justice of the Peace District 4 position.

If you are interested in learning more about running for this position, send an email to [email protected]. The party will select the new Democratic candidate at their Monday, June 10th monthly meeting (details coming).

In the Ear

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