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. 

Deliverables and Data

The Economic Vitality and Recovery Plan will be composed of three deliverables; Appendix I: Detailed Analysis of all Taxable Sales, Appendix II: Economic and Labor Analysis, and the plan itself. You can review the deliverables completed thus far below.

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

There are numerous avenues to get involved in the development of the plan and ensure your voice is heard. The table below outlines all of the public input opportunities that are currently open. 

Speak Up Fayetteville QuestionnaireClick here to access the questionnaire
Interactive Housing MapClick here to provide your feedback
Growth Concept Oriented Development MentiClick here to provide your feedback
Fayetteville Arts Council Strategy and Action Item MentiClick here to provide your feedback
Small Business Focus Group MentiClick here to provide your feedback
Workforce Development Focus Group MentiClick here to provide your feedback
Information Technology SubcommitteeClick here to provide your feedback
Steering Committee Meeting 4: Growth Concept Oriented DevelopmentClick here to provide your feedback
Restaurant, Hotel, and Bar RecoveryComing soon.


Upcoming Public Input Sessions:

Public Input Session, Hispanic Heritage Festival, September 26, 2021

The Department of Economic Vitality will host a public input session during the 2021 Hispanic Heritage Festival on Sunday, September 26th. 


Next Steps (September 16, 2021 Update):

The Small Business Development, Support, and Retention (Section 1) of the plan is complete and being delivered to the Steering Committee for comments and review. The Workforce Development and Economic Mobility for Populations who face barriers (Section 2) is currently being developed and is expected to be published in the coming weeks. 

The final subcommittees are preparing to begin their work (Restaurant, Bar, and Hotel Economic Recovery) as well as (Environmental Stewardship). 

The Arkansas Economic Development Institute (State of Arkansas Census Data Center) is preparing to publish a statistically valid survey on the topics of employment and housing. The results of this survey will be used to finalize the final section of the plan: Growth Concept Oriented Development. 

The Department of Economic Vitality wants to extend its most sincere appreciation for every resident, employer, and stakeholder who has given their time to serve on one of the many subcommittees. 


Upcoming Events:

Public Input Session, Hispanic Heritage Festival, September 26, 2021

The Department of Economic Vitality will host a public input session during the 2021 Hispanic Heritage Festival on Sunday, September 26th. 


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.

Small Business Resiliency Task Force, Thursday, May 13, 2021

The Small Business Resiliency Task Force convened to set draft goals for the "Small Business Growth, Support, and Retention" focus area of the plan. The goals are being sent to the Steering Committee for their review on Monday, May 24, 2021. 

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

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

Steering Committee Meeting 2, Monday, May 24, 2021

The Economic Recovery and Vitality Steering Committee convened on May 24, 2021, to discuss the Small Business Development, Growth, and Retention section of the plan. The Committee also discussed possible uses of the American Rescue Plan Funds. 

Workforce Development Focus Group 1, Thursday, June 3, 2021

Focus Group 1 for the Workforce Development section of the plan was held on June 3rd. The group was composed of 6 members of the community and two City staff representatives. Additional focus groups for Workforce Development are currently being planned. If you'd like to participate in a focus group on Workforce Development, please contact Chung Tan, Deputy Director of Economic Vitality.

Steering Committee Meeting 3, Monday, June 14, 2021

The Economic Recovery and Vitality Steering Committee convened on June 14, 2021, to discuss the Workforce Development and Economic Mobility section of the plan. Focus groups for Workforce Development are currently being conducted.

Workforce Development Focus Group 2, Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Focus Group 2 for the Workforce Development section of the plan was held on June 15th. 

Fayetteville Art's Council, Wednesday, June 15, 2021

The Department of Economic Vitality met with the Fayetteville Art's Council during their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2021.

Workforce Development Focus Group 3, Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Focus Group 3 for the Workforce Development section of the plan was held on June 16th. 

Workforce Development Focus Groups 4, Tuesday,  June 29, 2021

The final focus group for workforce development was held on June 29, 2021.

Steering Committee Meeting 4, July 12, 2021

The Economic Recovery and Vitality Steering Committee convened on July 12, 2021, to discuss Growth Concept Oriented Development. Focus group sessions for this section of the plan are currently being conducted. 

Information Technology Talent Development Subcommittee, Kick-Off Meeting July 19, 2021

The Information Technology Development Subcommittee convened on July 19, 2021. This focus group was formed given the huge need of this sector, but also in recognition of the opportunity, this sector provides for high-wage employment opportunities. 

Small Business Focus Groups 

A series of focus groups with small business owners was held during the weeks of July 12th and July 19th. Focus groups for the small business section of the plan concluded on July 22nd. In total, over eight focus group sessions on the topic were held. 

Growth Concept Oriented Development Subcommittee, Kick-Off Meeting July 22, 2021

The Growth Concept Oriented Development Subcommittee convened on July 22, 2021. This subcommittee was formed to help guide the direction of this section of the plan. 

Economic and Labor Analysis published for Fayetteville Residents Review

The Economic and Labor Analysis (Appendix II) was published the week of July 19, 2021. Click here to view the report.

CDBG In the Park, Friday, July 30, 2021

The Department of Economic Vitality attended CDBG in the Park on July 30th. This session focused on gathering public input for various parts of the plan. 

Fayetteville Farmers Market, Saturday, August 21, 2021

The Department of Economic Vitality will be joining the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, August 21st at the Fayetteville Farmers Market. Stop by the booth to view the draft goals and strategies developed thus far, provide your input and guidance on the plan's development, and learn about the new plan. 

First Thursday, Thursday, September 2, 2021

The Department of Economic Vitality hosted a pop-up public input session at First Thursday on September 2, 2021 at 5:30PM.

Resources:

Click here to complete the questonnaire

Speak Up Fayetteville