After years of progress in the region, poverty rates are on the rise in NWA, as COVID-19 complications and housing costs appear to be likely causes.

• David Sorto, local economist, suggests that "If things are going good, then their rent is going up, likely other costs of input are going up as well.” -KNWA/Fox24
• Even so, rent prices are remaining stagnant, contributing to the crisis, says Nathan Whisenant with Care Community Center in Rogers.
• The restaurant business struggling and some are finding it difficult to see past this challenging time. “Some of them are optimistic but there are some who are really worried about what it is going to look like in the future,” says Whisenant. -KNWA/Fox24