There is no better time for inaugural events than 2021. Natural State Beer Company of Rogers is hosting its first annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser at the Village on the Creeks.

• What's happening: They're bringing some of the best breweries and beers from NWA to one location for a great cause. Scheduled for Sept. 18 from 1-10p, they have lined up 12+ breweries and 3 live bands.
• Benefits: All proceeds from the event will go to local non-profits including NWA Food Bank and AIM. General admission and VIP tickets are available - you can read more for yourself HERE.

Cheers!

Over the past 18 months, small businesses weren't worried about how they received PPP loans, just as long as they did. That's where Springdale fintech firm Teslar stepped in.

• The background: The Small Business Administration's (SBA) program has been funding small businesses around the country in the wake of the pandemic, helping local companies persevere and recover.
• Making an impact: Teslar paved the way this year, processing 20% of the PPP loans, accounting for "$22 billion of funding for small businesses across the country." In peak times, the local startup processed up to 80 loans per minute resulting in 1.3mm loans processed.

Learn more about the Springdale-based business and its efforts to help small businesses, HERE.

Story courtesy of AM&P

Venues across the country have struggled, and the Walton Arts Center is no exception. However, it recently received support to assist the recovery.

• A hard year: Last year, the Fayetteville venue lost 90% of its budget despite the venue's continued efforts to bring art to the community through "smaller-scale, localized programs and education services."
• The SVOG: Yesterday it was announced the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant awarded $9.8mm to support the Walton Arts Center's efforts. This grant, along with various other grants, loans, and community donations, provides some much needed funding for the venue.

Read how the the Walton Arts Center has gone from surviving to thriving, HERE.

Story courtesy of Talk Business & Politics

What now spans almost 40 miles from Kessler Mountain Park to beyond Lake Bella Vista, the Razorback Regional Greenway has stitched the communities of Northwest Arkansas in an active way.

• Background: Dedicated back in May of 2015, the hard surface multi-use trail has been successful beyond expectations. In 2017 a study found that weekday volume averaged 353 with weekend numbers hitting 539. Each activity increasing almost three fold since the trail opened.
• Southern hospitality: Serving the community well, the greenway strategically passes through multiple attractions along its 40 mile journey. Just to name a few, U of A campus, JB Hunt, WMT, and Tyson, 3 hospitals, multiple parks and playgrounds, 23 schools, and nearly every downtown.

Find your way and make your own adventure, HERE.

Havana Tropical Grill in downtown Rogers has been serving up delicious, authentic Cuban cuisine for over a decade now.

• The beginnings: In 2010, Francisco Galdamez and Julia Sanchez's American dream of opening a Latin restaurant came to life in downtown Rogers. In 2018, they came across the perfect location just down the street from their existing one and jumped at it. It has since become a staple in the city's downtown.
• Legit: It's not just us telling you the food is amazing, Havana ranked in Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in 2021.
• Our recs: The Fish Ceviche and the flight of mojitos are musts, but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu.

If you're interested in diving deeper into the story behind Havana, read more HERE.