The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission was initially formed in response to the construction of Beaver Lake and then pending 71-Bypass as city and county officials in the 1960s were anticipating immediate growth and expansion for the Northwest Arkansas region.

The completion of Interstate 540, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, and improvements to Highway 412, have indeed generated unprecedented growth for the region. For the past 43 years, the Commission's work has been varied and extensive. In the beginning, NWARPC gathered data and conducted studies concerning all aspects of the region. After the completion of some 75 studies and several public hearings, the first "Regional Plan" was adopted in 1973. The Commission then concentrated on the pressing issues of water, sewer and solid waste. From these concerns came definitive studies with recommendations for solutions.

NWARPC contracted for the first regional airport study in 1968, and has worked with the Arkansas Highway Department and local governments on virtually every major roadway improvement including I 540. Today, the Commission's work involves ongoing planning, mapping, and technical assistance to local governments, as well as serving as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Northwest Arkansas.

The function of the MPO is to work with the governmental entities of the area and the State Highway Department to determine transportation needs and funding priorities through long range planning.  During the next decade the population of Northwest Arkansas is projected to increase by over 100,000 people.  This will call for a greater degree of coordination and cooperation in planning by the government entities of the area. Our transportation system will need to be able to handle the increased population of our area. Planning area boundaries will need to be coordinated among the cities and the 2010 Census information will change the map of political district boundaries.

You can contact us at:

Phone: (479) 751-7125
Fax: (479) 751-7150
TTY Service: For people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-disabled, please dial 1-800-285-1131 for a telecomunications relay service assistant.

Address: 1311 Clayton St, Springdale, AR, 72762

For directions to our office please click map below:

Location of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission office

Please select from the categories under About NWARPC for more information.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION:

The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC) complies with all civil rights provisions of federal statues and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Therefore, the NWARPC does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion or disability, in the admission, access to and treatment in NWARPC’s programs and activities, as well as the NWARPC’s hiring or employment practices. Complaints of alleged discrimination and inquiries regarding the NWARPC’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Celia Scott-Silkwood, AICP, Regional Planner – EEO/DBE (ADA/504/TitleVI Coordinator), 1311 Clayton, Springdale, AR 72762, (479) 751-7125, (Voice/TTY 7-1-1 or 1-800-285-1131) or the following email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . This notice is available from the ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator in large print, on audiotape and in Braille.