Amazon officially landed in Northwest Arkansas yesterday with the launch of its previously announced 60,000 sqft last mile facility in Lowell.

• More convenience, more jobs: This new facility will not only make last mile deliveries more efficient in the region, but it will also create hundreds of new jobs right here in Northwest Arkansas. Employees will be needed to sort packages at the facility and drivers will be in demand to get products down the home stretch.
• Making strides: The City of Lowell has a lot to be excited about with its growth over the past few years, and now landing a company like Amazon. It's well suited for this facility and for continued growth as the geographic center of the region.

If you want to learn more about Amazon's launch in NWA, you can find it here.

There were a few announcements yesterday that will collectively have a large impact on our state and region.

• Power to learn: Ozarks Electric broke ground for a solar field in Springdale. This historic project will offset about 95% of energy used by Don Tyson SOI, Sonora Elementary & Middle Schools.
• Cutting money: Separately, Johnson Controls is now projected to cut more than 1m metric tons of CO2 through energy efficiency and renewable energy public projects across Arkansas, including Rogers and Washington County. The project is expected to generate a combined $36m in total utility savings for NWA.

Finally, Arkansas energy leaders yesterday celebrated Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s executive order to implement energy efficiency measures and reduce the energy costs in state government.

After challenging years in 2019 and 2020 due to materials shortages, price increases, and the pandemic, building permits in in Northwest Arkansas bounced back in 2021.

• By the numbers: Building permits in NWA were up 16.5% in 2021 after a 5.9% decline in 2019 and a 2.8% decline in 2020. Residential permit values were up even more in 2021 coming in at a 35.6% increase.
• Standouts: Fayetteville and Bella Vista both saw 40%+ increases in building permit activity in 2021. Notably, annual permits in Bella Vista have increased from 194 in 2017 to 584 in 2021.

This increased activity should be helping chip away at the supply shortage we are currently experiencing, so hopefully it persists. Click here if you want to learn more.

Happy Friday! Here are some events and activities happening around NWA this weekend we'd recommend checking out:

• Galleria: Springdale is hosting an Art Walk tomorrow in their downtown - the event is free and from 11-4p.
• Tuned in: There is a variety of live music shows this weekend including a performance from the Eli Young Band at Georges in Fayetteville.
• Girl gang: The 2022 Women's Winter Market is tomorrow in Elm Springs. #shoplocal
• Need for speed: The Tyson Invitation indoor track meet is this weekend in Fayetteville and includes opportunities to see current and former Olympians competing.
• On ice: Enjoy an outdoor ice skating experience in Bentonville at Lawrence Plaza with the family.
• Cheers: Try a new local brewery this weekend as you watch the Super Bowl on Sunday.
• Date night: Friendly reminder, Monday is valentines day - if you're planning to celebrate it this weekend check out our Date Night Guide for ideas.

Have a wonderful weekend - talk to you Monday!