Economic Recovery Framework

The City of Fayetteville's next Economic Vitality Plan LOGO_Fayetteville Economic VItality-01 (003)

On March 16, 2021, the Fayetteville City Council passed a resolution of intent expressing its support for the development of the next economic development plan. For the past five years, the City's economic vitality efforts have been guided by the Fayetteville First Strategic Plan. 

Much has happened in Fayetteville since the adoption of the Fayetteville First Plan. The expansion of internal economic development staff, and adoption of initiatives such as the Energy Action Plan, Welcoming Plan, 2040 Land Use Plan, and Cultural Arts Corridor Master Plan present an opportunity to reset Fayetteville’s economic development efforts to ensure they are in concert with these initiatives. Most importantly, the need to set guiding principles for Fayetteville’s economic development efforts has never been higher in wake of the economic consequences and changes brought by the pandemic, as well as the need to make equitable economic development efforts a priority. 

In March of 2020, Fayetteville’s Workforce Development Plan efforts came to a complete halt as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our community. The initiative was rooted in a detailed labor analysis that became obsolete as the United States' unemployment rate climbed to 14.7% in the following month (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Industry shifts and the alterations to how commerce is conducted in wake of the pandemic are factors that impact the goals, strategies, and action items proposed by the Workforce Development Plan. Adaptation of the existing plan will provide a major start to this initiative with an immense amount of work already in place. 

Focus Areas of the Plan

Economic Vitality touches nearly every facet of a community. Many of Fayetteville's other Master Plans have economic health benefits, including initiatives such as the Cultural Arts Corridor, Energy Action Plan, Welcoming Plan, City Plan 2040, Mobility Plan, and 71B Corridor Plan. Recognizing this, the City's new Economic Recovery and Vitality Plan will focus on economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the following areas:

  1.  Workforce development and job-skill training opportunities for all;
  2. Economic equity and inclusion for populations facing barriers to economic mobility, such as minorities, women-run businesses, residents in poverty, and neurodiverse residents, to name a few;
  3. The support, growth, and retention of small businesses in Fayetteville;
  4. Growth concept-oriented economic development with an emphasis on the creation of workforce and attainable housing as well as the attraction and creation of new jobs to Fayetteville. 

Get Involved

Surveys and public input sessions are currently being planned. In the interim, use the links below to get connected to the project:

Next Steps

The Department of Economic Vitality is coordinating with the African American Advisory Council and the Arts Councils to join each of the Council's meetings in the near future. City staff is currently in the process of developing a Speak Up Fayetteville page for the project as well. Focus group sessions are also being scheduled, click here to let City staff know if you'd like to join a focus group session. 


Upcoming Events:

Fayetteville Art's Council, Wednesday, May 19, 2021

The Department of Economic Vitality will be meeting with the Fayetteville Art's Council during their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.


Past Events:

Steering Committee Kick-Off Meeting with Mayor Jordan was held on Monday, May 3, 2021, at 5:30 PM CST

On Monday, May 3, 2021, at 5:30 PM CST the Kick-Off Meeting for the Economic Recovery and Vitality Plan was held via Zoom. The meeting lasted approximately two hours. 


African American Advisory Council, Monday, May 10, 2021

The Department of Economic Vitality met with the African American Advisory Council and its Economic Development Committee on Monday, May 10, 2021.


Resources: