Upskill NWA, a local nonprofit, has received approval from the Fayetteville City Council for $742,223 in ARPA funds to expand Upskill's job training program helping folks in Northwest Arkansas get jobs in the medical field.

• Job security: The funds will allow Upskill NWA to double their positions in Fayetteville and provide resources to help low-wage earners reach higher-paying medical career wages. 
• Life-changing opportunity: Participant Ana Martinez says the program has given her the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse.

Learn more about Upskill NWA here.

Arsaga's opened its second on-campus location this week, joining its four already popular spots around Fayetteville. 

• Caffeinated creativity: Arsaga's has partnered with the School of Art to design and decorate the shop, and the ceramics department will create the cups and dishes. 
• Good morning: Menu items include pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and Basque breakfast flan, and doors open as early as 7:30a daily - perfect for fuel up before class! 

Read more about the new location here.

Cities in Northwest Arkansas are continuing to see an uptick in sales tax revenue, with the four largest cities reporting an overall 12.29% increase over the year-ago period. 

• Leading the pack: Bentonville reported an impressive 29.13% increase for January, showing no signs of slowing down from the city's three-year trend of year-over-year gains. 
• Bigger picture: While the cities have budgeted for slower growth in 2023 due to economic uncertainty, they remain hopeful they can meet their ambitions for another year of growth. 

Read more on the story from TB&P here.

Walmart AMP's 2023 Cox Concert Series is taking shape with a variety of popular bands lined up throughout the spring and summer. 

• Roll call: Artists such as Walker Hayes, Tyler Childers, Parker McCollum, Dave Matthews Band, Incubus, Coheed & Cambria, Matchbox Twenty, Foreigner, Nickelback, Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Beck, and more will be gracing the stage.
• Hype train: A number of these bands have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and have sold multi-platinum albums, so there's no shortage of great options in this series. 

Check out ticket sales dates and show dates here. 

The Beach BBQ is giving us another option for BBQ in Bentonville, and the wait for its opening is almost over.

• More than just meat: In addition to the usual suspects of smoked short ribs, pork butts, and sliced brisket, the new BBQ joint will have local beers, crafted cocktails, and a warm and modern ambiance.
• It's official: The Beach BBQ is opening its doors on Jan 27 at 11:30a, so mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details. 

Head over to their Instagram to stay up-to-date!