Home Work

Earn More, Learn More, Live Well

I talk a lot about the concept of "live well, earn more, learn more" as a recipe for a thriving community and sustainable, expanding economy. It’s also just what I want for the world around me.  It’s less of a professional goal and more of a lifelong commitment to supporting the people, programs, and policies that keep our communities healthy, happy, and thriving.

As a recent Walton Family Foundation survey indicates, the majority of residents in Northwest Arkansas view the region’s quality of life as excellent, but it is slipping a little. To safeguard our region's special sauce, we must collectively address the challenges that growth presents. Maintaining momentum requires us to address our shortfalls, and you can’t talk about any high growth area without a critical conversation about attainable housing and a properly prepared workforce.

Attainable Housing and Workforce Development Matter

Can we just agree on the above? Great, thanks. Think of it as a personal P/L.

As businesses expand, the need for a robust and well-trained workforce increases. Attainable housing is essential to attract and retain talent, while workforce development ensures that employees have the skills needed to succeed.

Affordable and accessible housing options, paired with opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement, contribute to a higher quality of life. This allows residents to fully engage in their communities, reinforcing the "live well" aspect of our region.

Ensuring diverse housing options and access to education and training enables people from various income levels and backgrounds to thrive in our community. This fosters a more equitable economy, where everyone can contribute.

The Business Community

Invest in Housing and Workforce Initiatives: Businesses can partner with local developers and housing organizations to invest in projects that create more attainable housing options. Programs like those from Excellerate Foundation provide frameworks for impactful investments. while programs like UpSkill NWA helps ensure a pipeline of skilled workers.

Advocate for Workforce Housing and Development Policies: The business community must advocate for policies that encourage the development of affordable housing and workforce training programs. Engaging in local government discussions and supporting pro-housing and education policies is key.

Provide Employee Support: Offering housing stipends or down payment assistance programs can help employees afford housing closer to work, reducing commute times and improving work-life balance.

Nonprofits and Partner Programs

Bridge the Gap: Nonprofit organizations like Groundwork NWA and workforce programs like Ignite Professional Studies are instrumental in bridging the gap between housing needs, education, and available resources.

Bang the Drums: Nonprofits can lead efforts to educate the community about the importance of attainable housing and workforce development, and their impact on long-term regional success. Awareness is the first step toward action.

Convene and Create: Nonprofits are uniquely positioned to bring together diverse stakeholders, fostering innovative solutions and partnerships that address both housing and workforce challenges.

Elected Officials

Policy Leadership: Champion policies that promote the development of affordable housing and access to education and training including zoning reforms, incentives for developers, and support for mixed-income communities, as well as funding for workforce development initiatives.

Facilitating Public-Private Partnerships: Fostering collaborations between government, business, and nonprofits, elected officials can help align resources and strategies to tackle housing and workforce challenges effectively.

Ensuring Long-Term Planning: Strategic, long-term planning is essential to ensure that housing developments and workforce initiatives meet the evolving needs of our growing region, balancing economic growth with quality of life.

Building Healthier Communities

Housing and workforce development are deeply interconnected. When individuals have access to affordable housing and opportunities for education and skill development, they are better positioned to contribute to the economy, support their families, and engage in their communities. This creates a virtuous cycle, where economic success leads to stronger, healthier communities, which in turn, attracts more businesses and talent to the region. We should work to live, not live to work.

Now is the time to take action. Whether you're a business leader, nonprofit professional, or elected official, your role in this effort is vital. Together, we can create a Northwest Arkansas where everyone can live well, earn more, learn more, and contribute to the continued success of our region.