If you’ve ever wanted to give the pottery wheel a spin, October is your opportunity. 

• Street smarts: The Community Creative Center in Fayetteville is hosting ‘Pottery on the Patio’ the first four Saturdays in October at the Nadine Baum Studios on Spring Street. The series of events is completely free.
• Art days: The center will be hosting mini lessons on the pottery wheel, providing a sidewalk chalk mural space along with plenty of opportunity for other crafts and activities. Music and food will be present too, so you might just have to make your way out. 

For more info click HERE. 

Local commercial real estate in Northwest Arkansas is plowing through past records, and Walmart's new HQ is moving the needle. 

• In the zone: In the first half of 2021, businesses absorbed more than 1m sq/ft of commercial real estate space, and almost 2/3 of the record value of building permits was issued to Walmart’s new HQ on J Street. 
• Fill ’er up: Despite the move toward remote work environments due to the pandemic, the demand for retail and office space is keeping in step with the growth of the region. Additionally, users absorbing warehouses and industrial spaces caused the vacancy rate to fall “below 10% for the first time since 2017.” 

Read the full Talk Business & Politics article HERE. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded 60 airports across the US a collective total of more than $431.8 million in grants. The Springdale Municipal Airport made the cut. 

• Upgrade: The Springdale airport was chosen as a part of the 2021 Airport Improvement Program to receive $3.85m for an extended taxiway and the installation of taxiway lighting. 
• Placement: An interactive map shows which airports in 31 states and Puerto Rico landed money for more safety, sustainability and accessibility. 

For the full FAA press release, click HERE. 

Northwest Arkansas Community College is rolling out a new trucking program with a, get this, truck driving simulator.

• School funding: Arkansas Department of Higher Education awarded NWACC a Regional Workforce Grant of $288,700, making the new program possible. The course prepares new students to obtain a class A, B, or C license, and re-equips experienced drivers. 
• Test drive: The program offers up to 40hrs with “in-cab simulation maneuvering, and evaluation and readiness assessments.” The simulator is an exact replica of a commercial vehicle that simulates its real life characteristics. 

Learn more about the program HERE.

Okay teachers, you must be doing something right.

• Leaderboards: Northwest Arkansas schools topped all other Arkansas schools in Niche’s 2022 Best Schools in Arkansas List and took high honors in the US News’ ranking of US public Hugh schools. 
• Top 5: Haas Hall Academy's Fayetteville and Bentonville locations are top 2 on both lists. Haas Hall At The Lane, Bentonville West and Bentonville High School take places 3, 4 and 5 in Niche's list.

Check out the US News list HERE and Niche's HERE.