The rental market in NWA is experiencing a bit of tension. With increasing demand and rising prices, renters in the region are having trouble finding and holding on to places to live.

• Surprise shortage: People have been moving from large cities to suburban areas during the pandemic, creating a shortage of residential properties. Over the last two years, apartment availability decreased by an astounding 37%, prompting rent prices hikes of 4%.
• Econ 101: This trend could just be temporary. If prices drop enough in cities and continue to rise substantially in suburban areas, it could entice folks to make their way back to the cities they came from.

Find out more about rising rents in NWA HERE.

Commemorating emancipation after the Civil War, Juneteenth is an occasion to celebrate and remember. This Sunday, the Juneteenth Freedom Festival, hosted by Music Moves, is being held in downtown Springdale.

• Making some noise: The eight hour event will feature live music performances ranging from R&B to latin, and folks from across NWA are invited to join the celebration.
• A family affair: Emma Ave in Springdale will be closed off to vehicles and open to the public, creating a safe environment for the whole family to enjoy.

The event will be free to attend, and will start at 1pm on Sunday afternoon. Find out more about how NWA is coming together to celebrate Juneteenth HERE.

30 businesses in Fayetteville have been recognized as Bike Friendly Businesses (BFBs) by the League of American Bicyclists, giving Fayetteville the 6th rank nationally and moving it from a bronze designation to a silver city.

• Commuter friendly: Government agencies and local businesses across Fayetteville have been gearing up their efforts to create workplaces that are conducive to sustainable transportation methods.
• Setting the pace: The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and the Fayetteville Public Library are among the 1,425 BFBs across the nation that are introducing bike friendliness to their communities.

Read the full announcement HERE and see Fayetteville's report card for BFBs HERE.

On Tuesday, the Fayetteville City Council approved a request that would see federal funding for local road improvements.

• A bit congested: There are two problem areas the city is focused on fixing: a section of College Ave and the highway interchange on MLK Jr. Blvd. While the state will be in charge of the MLK project, the City of Fayetteville will lead the improvements needed on College.
• The help: The request being made is for $6mm in federal aid. Fayetteville is prepared to fund $1mm of the project but would prefer to use as little resources as needed. These projects will take about two years to complete after they are approved.

Find out more about the City of Fayetteville's projects and what's needed to complete them HERE.

Stout Executive Search, a Springdale recruiting company, has just been included in Forbes' annual ranking of America's Best Recruiting Firms.

• The breakdown: The annual ranking is split into two lists. The Executive List includes firms that fill positions paying salaries of at least $100,000, and the Professional List that fills jobs under that mark. Stout Executive Search has moved up on both lists, ranked 15th on the executive list and 41st on the professional list.
• Unfinished business: The NWA based company focuses especially on Walmart, placing employees on "supplier teams at all levels for sales, marketing, finance, category management and supply chain."

Read more about how Stout Executive Search continues to climb up the ranks HERE.