Lawrence and Topeka went to northwest Arkansas for 2022 intercity trip


Editor’s note: Evert Nelson is the visuals editor at The Capital-Journal. He attended an intercity visit to northwest Arkansas, which was organized by the Greater Topeka Partnership and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. These are his observations.

This year’s intercity trip to northwest Arkansas not only brought together not only leaders in Topeka but also Lawrence for the four-hour ride to the south.  

The trips, at least for Topeka, aren’t a new concept. City and county leaders, Greater Topeka Partnership staff and any member of the public willing to pay the ticket price have taken trips to other cities to gather knowledge on a particular theme or concept to be replicated back home.

In 2014 it was Tulsa, Okla., to learn about its riverwalk development. The last one before the COVID-19 pandemic began was Montgomery, Ala., in 2019 to learn about its diversity and inclusion efforts.

This year northwest Arkansas, or NWA as the locals call it, was chosen for the efforts by cities to brand the region as a whole. 

More:‘We are not only citizens of Kansas’: Kansas National Guard shares uplifting message

So, what actually happened and why should you care? 

A premium networking event brought Intercity participants to Fox Trail Distillery in Rogers on the first day of the trip.

The knowledge shared between city leaders may translate into changes in Topeka and Lawrence. 

Through listening to Arkansas city chambers and elected officials, underlying themes bubbled to the top.

One is the importance of having big business headquartered in the area giving heavy investments into the community. Walmart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt are all located in northwest Arkansas and have accelerated growth on numerous fronts, including the construction of a new regional airport. 

The classic Walton's 5-10 store in Bentonville, Ark., is now the Walmart Museum and Cafe, which draws tourism to the town square. Walton family influence is evident — the Walmart corporation is headquartered there — but city officials are trying to move toward one known as a trail and cultural destination.

Next is the ability for cities to work together to achieve overall economic growth. Local leaders believe what’s good for one city is good for all of northwest Arkansas. 

Another is having a reason to visit the area, or a “draw.” For Northwest Arkansas, it’s outdoor enjoyment and cultural infusion.

The trail systems alone have helped to brand the region as a mecca for mountain biking. Dozens of world-class routes have been created to take advantage of the landscape topography. That includes the Razorback Regional Greenway, a 37.5-mile stretch of trail connecting Fayetteville to Belle Vista.

More:‘South Topeka Boulevard didn’t get the attention that it needed’: Millions may change that

A large bridge stretches over Lake Fayetteville as part of 37.5-mile Razorback Regional Greenway through northwest Arkansas.

Culture-wise, the region has some offerings you may not have expected. Springdale officials in particular liked to tout its Marshallese population as second only to the small island chain. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville also was emphasized as helping to attract different demographics. And artwork and vendors can also be seen almost anywhere you look.

That’s great for Arkansas. But what about Topeka and Lawrence? 

Similar to Massachusetts Street in Lawrence or Aggieville in Manhattan, Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Ark., offers a vibrant nightlife with the University of Arkansas right up the street.

Seeing how other regions work together for common goals could be a start for local officials, which also could include Manhattan. 

What runs through all those cities? The Kansas River. Maybe thinking back to the Tulsa trip and its riverfront development could spark new interest as a draw to the region. 

Kaw River State Park is choking with invasive, non-native plants. Here’s what you can do to help.


Click Here For This Articles Original Source.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *