Ledger in Bentonville is a building currently under construction that will provide unique experiences with a more flexible way to work, create, and build in a new workplace concept.

• Building better: Initially a response to the cultural wave of desire for employee-first, flexible office spaces, Ledger grew beyond the traditional coworking concept into a collection of shared, open spaces for artistry, productivity, and life.
• Coming together: Everything from Ledger’s architectural design to its motif of Ozark bugs carrying gems drives the building’s purpose of collective creation. 

Read the full NWA Daily article for a special inside look at Ledger HERE.

Applications are open for Walmart’s annual Open Call and will be accepted through April 8, making it the first time the program has offered early access to apply. 

• A national investment: As Walmart has a 10-year commitment to invest $350b in American jobs, the Open Call is Walmart’s largest sourcing event for U.S. made or grown products to go on the retailer’s shelves. 
• A seat at the table: The event is slated for June 28-29 where selected applicants will have one-on-one 30min product pitch meetings. Additionally, there will be breakout sessions where leaders and special guests will provide suppliers with additional resources and insights. 

Click HERE for more information. 

In an effort to expand its vaccine development, an animal vaccine-making company from Hong Kong plans to locate its US headquarters in Northwest Arkansas.

• Adding value: Pacific GeneTech (PGT) will provide new jobs in the biotechnology and animal healthcare industries to NWA as well as opportunities “to address global needs caused by infectious diseases in both animals and humans.” 
• Why here: PGT officials said the decision to locate its headquarters in NWA was based on the ability to attract qualified management and employees to such a vibrant, rapidly growing area. Proximity to the University of Arkansas was a factor in the decision as well. 

Read the full story HERE. 

Despite higher home prices, Arvest Bank’s most recent Skyline Reports shows a new record of houses sold in Northwest Arkansas. 

• New high: The latest Skyline Reports covers the second half of 2021, during which time there were 5,934 homes sold in Washington and Benton counties. Before this new high marker, the most homes sold was in the second half of 2020 at 5,726. 
• Beating odds: This new record of homes sold came despite the increase of the average home price during the same time. The increase in home prices rose 17.8% in Benton County in the second half of 2021, and 15.8% in Washington County. 

Read the full story HERE. 

The United Way of Northwest Arkansas recently announced the recipients of its 2022 Community Investment Grant of nearly $2m. 

• Financial support: The organizations that received funds are in Washington, Benton, and Madison counties and are all part of supporting what is called “asset limited, income constrained, and employed” families, or ALICE families. The grant funds ranged from $10k-$157k per organization. 
• For prosperity: Panels consisting of regional human services professionals, public affairs academics, social work leaders, and business leaders made the final grant recipient selections. The money will go toward efforts such as early learning, quality out-of-school time, and self-sufficiency development.

For more information and a full list of grant recipients, click HERE.