Arkansas state layer
The state economy, roads, and payrolls
The state-level signals that move a Northwest Arkansas corner: how Little Rock's books are running, statewide jobs and income, highway projects, and what both counties pay their workers.
General revenue, fiscal year to date
$1.91B
▲ 8.4% vs last year
+5.8% vs the official forecast · DFA · September 2026
Arkansas unemployment rate
3.9%
▼ 30bp in a year
BLS LAUS, seasonally adjusted · September 2026
Arkansas payroll jobs
1,350,800
▲ 0.9% in a year
BLS CES, seasonally adjusted · September 2026
AR statewide sales & use tax
$329.6M
Arkansas DFA General Revenue Report, October 2026 (statewide monthly sales & use, +8.3% YoY) · 2026-10
State economy
DFA · BLS · BEA
General revenue vs the official forecast
Net available general revenue, by month
Data through 2026-09 · Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
NWA jobs vs Arkansas jobs
Payroll jobs, indexed so the first month = 100
Data through 2026-09 · Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
Real GDP: Arkansas vs the U.S.
Quarterly, chained 2017 dollars, indexed so 2010 Q1 = 100
Data through 2026-Q2 · Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
Arkansas unemployment rate
Monthly, seasonally adjusted
Data through 2026-09 · Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
Per-capita personal income
Annual, current dollars
Data through 2024 · Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
In 2024, per-capita personal income was $120,594 in Benton County, $54,752 in Washington County, and $59,320 statewide.
Benton County's figure is about 2.0 times the state's. Personal income includes dividends, interest and rent, counted where the recipients live, so large investment incomes among residents raise the county average. It is an average, not what a typical household earns: for that, see median household income on the economy page.
Legislature: 1,652 bills filed in session 2025R · 180 bills filed in session 2026F · 2 bills filed in session 2026S1 (Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research (arkleg.state.ar.us)).
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, General Revenue Report · as of Oct 20, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · as of Oct 14, 2026
ARDOT & mobility
public releases · title + link
- ARDOT ribbon cutting: Springdale Bypass Phase Two + XNA ConnectorARDOT · 2026-09-04 Springdale BypassXNAI-42 path
Ceremony for Bypass Phase Two and XNA Connector Road; roads open to public same day per ARDOT release.
- Hwy 112 widening — first of eight ARDOT projects launchedARDOT Hwy 112
ARDOT describes eight widening projects on Hwy 112 between Fayetteville and Bentonville; remaining phases staged with funding.
- ARDOT to Break Ground on Highway 112 ImprovementsARDOT Hwy 112
ARDOT news release on breaking ground for Highway 112 improvements in Northwest Arkansas (seed from saved public HTML).
- Public Involvement Meeting — Springdale Bypass proposed design plansARDOT Springdale BypassI-42 path
ARDOT hosted public involvement to discuss proposed design plans for Springdale Bypass (seed from saved public HTML).
- REMINDER: Ribbon cutting — Springdale Bypass Phase Two and XNA Connector RoadARDOT Springdale BypassXNA
ARDOT reminder release for Bypass Phase Two and XNA Connector Road ribbon cutting (companion to 26-128).
- Public Comment Available for Proposed Widening of Highway 112 in NWAARDOT Hwy 112
Earlier ARDOT public-comment notice on proposed Hwy 112 widening in Northwest Arkansas (historical seed for tracker).
- Lane Closures Scheduled on Highway 412 in SpringdaleARDOT springdalehwy_412
ARDOT news release announcing lane closures on Highway 412 in Springdale (full release text on ardot.gov/news/26-152/).
- REMINDER: ARDOT to Cut a Ribbon on Springdale Bypass Phase Two and XNA Connector RoadARDOT Springdale BypassXNA
ARDOT reminder still listed on News Releases index regarding Springdale Bypass Phase Two and XNA Connector Road ribbon cutting.
- Hwy 112 widening — first of eight ARDOT projects launchedARDOT Hwy 112
Retained Hwy 112 widening tracker link from prior Benton ARDOT feed; re-verified path pattern on ARDOT communications blog.
Project tracker with phases, lettings, and corridor overlays: Data Pro (coming). Headlines stay free.
County registers
DFA local distributions
Local sales-tax distributions, by county
Monthly, 2010 → present
Data through 2026-08 · Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
Road jobs by status
ARDOT funded projects · all four counties
Under construction
28
$94M where a cost is known · 2026-10-26
Scheduled to let
40
letting date set · 2026-10-26
Programmed
67
in the plan, not yet scheduled · 2026-10-26
Completed
119
since ARDOT's records begin · 2026-10-26
Under construction now · soonest finish first
| Job | Project | County | Let | Est. completion | Contractor | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 012542 | Districts 5 & 9 Pavement Friction Impvts. (HFST) (S) Safety & Traffic Eng. | Benton, Carroll | 2026-01-21 | 2026-10-30 | The Truesdell Corporation apparent low bidder | $1.1M apparent low bid |
| A40047 | Benton Co. Line – Fayetteville (S) Resurfacing | Washington | 2026-01-21 | 2026-11-25 | Grant Garrett Excavating, Inc. apparent low bidder | $4.8M apparent low bid |
| A90043 | Huntsville – W. of Alpena (Sel. Secs.) (S) Resurfacing | Carroll, Madison | 2026-01-21 | 2026-12-15 | Atlas Asphalt, Inc. apparent low bidder | $7.3M apparent low bid |
| 090593 | Hwy. 62 Inters. Impvts. (Berryville) (S) Safety & Traffic Eng. | Carroll | 2026-03-04 | 2027-02-28 | Crouse Construction Co. apparent low bidder | $1.0M apparent low bid |
| 090523 | War Eagle Creek Str. & Apprs. (S) Structure & Approaches | Madison | 2024-01-17 | 2027-03-31 | Crouse Construction Co. | $8.1M awarded |
| 090753 | Hwy. 74 Slide Repairs (Madison Co.) (S) Slide Repair | Madison | 2026-09-30 | 2027-05-31 | not reported | not reported |
| 040866 | Baron Fork & Fly Creek Strs. & Apprs. (S) Structure & Approaches | Washington | 2025-05-21 | 2027-06-01 | Crossland Construction Co., Inc. apparent low bidder | $9.5M apparent low bid |
| 090433 | Hwy. 264/Bellview St./Spring Creek Rd. Inters. Impvts. (Lowell) (S) Safety & Traffic Eng. | Benton | 2025-11-05 | 2027-06-03 | Grant Garrett Excavating, Inc. | $3.5M awarded |
| 090651 | Hwys. 12/59 Signal & Inters. Impvts. (Gentry) (S) Safety & Traffic Eng. | Benton | 2025-11-05 | 2027-09-24 | Grant Garrett Excavating, Inc. | $3.3M awarded |
| 040746 | Truckers Dr. – Howard Nickell Rd. (Fayetteville) (S) Major Widening | Washington | 2025-10-15 | 2028-01-29 | Apac-Central, Inc. apparent low bidder | $43.9M apparent low bid |
| 040846 | Hwy. 62 Intchng. Impvts. (Fayetteville) (F) Interchange | Washington | 2024-05-21 | 2028-05-09 | not reported | not reported |
| 040717 | Don Tyson Pkwy. Extension (Springdale) (S) New Location | Washington | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| 040887 | North St. – Sycamore St. (College Ave.) (Fayetteville) (S) Resurfacing | Washington | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| 040943 | Millsap Rd./College Ave. Inters. Impvts. & N. Hemlock Ave. Impvts. (Fayetteville) (S) Safety & Traffic Eng. | Washington | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| 090163 | White River Bridge Deck Repair (Beaver) (S) Bridge Rehabilitation | Carroll | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| 090377 | SW "I" – SE "J" (8th Street Widening) (Bentonville) (S) Major Widening | Benton | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| 090601 | Hwys. 71B/264 Inters. Impvts. (Lowell) (S) Safety & Traffic Eng. | Benton | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| 090663 | "Y" City Rd. Railroad Signals Upgrade (Decatur) (S) RR Crossing | Benton | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| 090702 | Hwy. 72/Plentywood Rd. Inters. Impvts. (S) Safety & Traffic Eng. | Benton | — | not reported | Apac-Central, Inc. apparent low bidder | $1.4M apparent low bid |
| A40044 | District 4 Resurfacing Program (2026) (S) Resurfacing | Washington | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| A40046 | I-49 Frontage Roads Impvts. (Greenland) (S) Resurfacing | Washington | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| A40052 | I-49 – School Ave. (Fayetteville) (S) Resurfacing | Washington | — | not reported | Apac-Central, Inc. | $1.1M awarded |
| A40056 | Bobby Hopper Tunnel Pavement Friction Impvts. (S) Resurfacing | Washington | — | not reported | Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. | $624K awarded |
| A90031 | District 9 Resurfacing Program (2025) (S) Resurfacing | Benton, Carroll, Madison | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| A90037 | District 9 Resurfacing Program (2026) (S) Resurfacing | Benton, Carroll, Madison | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| A90040 | Eureka Springs – Berryville (S) Resurfacing | Carroll | — | not reported | Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. | $7.0M awarded |
| A90044 | District 9 Resurfacing Program (2027) (S) Resurfacing | Benton, Madison | — | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| A90046 | Hwy. 94 – West (Rogers) (S) Resurfacing | Benton | — | not reported | Apac-Central, Inc. | $1.7M awarded |
Scheduled to let · soonest first
| Job | Project | County | Planned letting | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 040720 | Poplar St. – Drake St. (Fayetteville) (S) | Washington | 2026-07 | Major Widening | $7.8M plan estimate |
| A90051 | Hwy. 412 Impvts. (Carroll & Madison Cos.) (S) | Carroll, Madison | 2026-11 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| A90052 | Hwy 102B – S. Walton Blvd. (S) | Benton | 2027-01 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| A90048 | SW Artillery Rd. – SW Wheatgrass Blvd. (Bentonville) (S) | Benton | 2027-03 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| AX0012 | S. of Elkins – Combs (S) | Madison, Washington | 2027-03 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 040945 | Hwy. 62 – Benton Co. Line (S) | Washington | 2027-04 | Resurfacing | $8.7M plan estimate |
| 090506 | Illinois River Str. & Apprs. (Hwy. 59) (S) | Benton | 2027-04 | Structure & Approaches | $10.0M plan estimate |
| A90036 | N. of I-49 – Missouri State Line (Bella Vista) (S) | Benton | 2027-05 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 040758 | Greathouse Springs Rd. – Don Tyson Pkwy. Extension (S) | Washington | 2027-08 | Major Widening | $13.4M plan estimate |
| 090621 | I-49 – Hwy. 265 (Springdale Bypass) (S) | Benton | 2027-08 | New Location | $209.0M plan estimate |
| 090708 | Hwys. 59 & 72 Inters. Impvts. (Gravette) (S) | Benton | 2027-11 | Safety & Traffic Eng. | $2.5M plan estimate |
| 090650 | Hwys. 23/62 Inters. Impvts. (Eureka Springs) (S) | Carroll | 2028-01 | Safety & Traffic Eng. | not reported |
| 090793 | Hwys. 412/412B/45 Inters. Impvts. (Madison Co.) (S) | Madison | 2028-09 | Safety & Traffic Eng. | not reported |
| 090646 | Hwy. 102 Impvts. (Bentonville) (S) | Benton | 2029-03 | Safety & Traffic Eng. | $19.4M plan estimate |
| 090676 | I-49/NE J St. Intchng. (Bentonville) (S) | Benton | 2029-03 | Interchange | not reported |
| 090775 | Hwy. 94 Relocation (Pea Ridge) (S) | Benton | 2029-06 | Minor Widening | not reported |
| 040894 | Hwy. 412 Impvts. (Springdale) (S) | Washington | 2029-08 | Safety & Traffic Eng. | $11.5M plan estimate |
| 040752 | Howard Nickell Rd. – Greathouse Springs Rd. (S) | Washington | 2029-09 | Major Widening | $31.5M plan estimate |
| 012529 | Elkins – Hwy. 412B (S) | Madison, Washington | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 040909 | West Fork White River Str. & Apprs. (West Fork) (S) | Washington | 2030 | Structure & Approaches | $7.0M plan estimate |
| 040968 | Lee Creek Str. & Apprs. (S) | Washington | 2030 | Structure & Approaches | not reported |
| 040969 | Hwy. 112 – I-49 (Fayetteville) (S) | Washington | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 040972 | Judge Cummings Rd. – School Ave. (Fayetteville) (S) | Washington | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 040977 | Hwy. 412 – Benton Co. Line (S) | Washington | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 040978 | College Ave. – Hwy. 265 (Fayetteville) (S) | Washington | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 040981 | Fayetteville – East (S) | Washington | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 040984 | Devil's Den State Park – I-49 (S) | Washington | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 090596 | Avoca – Garfield (S) | Benton | 2028 | Resurfacing | $2.0M plan estimate |
| 090611 | Indian Creek – Missouri State Line (S) | Carroll | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 090639 | Huntsville – Alpena (Passing Lanes) (S) | Carroll, Madison | 2031 | Passing Lanes | not reported |
| 090665 | Hwy. 59 Str. & Apprs. (Siloam Springs) (S) | Benton | 2030 | Structure & Approaches | $3.5M plan estimate |
| 090668 | Maxwell Creek Str. & Apprs. (S) | Madison | 2030 | Structure & Approaches | not reported |
| 090689 | Berryville – Indian Creek (S) | Carroll | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 090690 | Madison Co. Line – Hwy. 62 (S) | Carroll | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 090698 | Hwy. 279 – Hwy. 94 (Bella Vista) (S) | Benton | 2028 | Resurfacing | $3.0M plan estimate |
| 090700 | Washington Co. Line – Hwy. 412B (S) | Madison | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 090730 | Hwy. 43 – Hwy. 412 (S) | Carroll | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 090732 | N. Dogwood St. – Hwy. 264 (Siloam Springs) (S) | Benton | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 090735 | Oklahoma State Line – East (Siloam Springs) (S) | Benton | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
| 090736 | Hwy. 59 – Hwy. 72 (Sel. Secs.) (S) | Benton | 2028 | Resurfacing | not reported |
Status is ARDOT's. Cost is the awarded amount where ARDOT's award list ties out, otherwise the apparent low bid on the bid tabulation, otherwise the NARTS TIP estimate; blank means not available here, not zero. An apparent low bid is usually but not always the award.
Arkansas Department of Transportation GIS (Funded Projects); awards from ARDOT letting award lists · as of Oct 26, 2026
The long-range plan
ARDOT jobs in the NARTS TIP and the 2045 plan · cost estimates
TIP jobs, both counties
64
NARTS TIP 2025–28 + 2027–30 · 2026-11-09
Est. cost, Benton County jobs
$655.0M
ARDOT listings · by segment county · 2026-11-09
Est. cost, Washington County jobs
$379.8M
ARDOT job listings, $1,000s · 2026-11-09
2045 MTP projects mapped
48
NWARPC 2045 MTP · 2026-11-09
Where the road money lands
Every programmed ARDOT job and 2045-plan project, drawn on its alignment. Thicker line, bigger estimate. Hover for the job.
Road workwideningnew road / interchangeintersectionbridgepreservation / other2045 long-range plan
Programmed dollars by federal fiscal year
TIP estimates, by the county each segment sits in
Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
What the money buys
TIP estimates grouped by ARDOT's printed scope of work
Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
| Job | Route | Scope | County | Fed. FY | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-49 – Hwy. 265 (Springdale Bypass) (S) NARTS TIP 2025–2028 · job 090621 | 612 | New Location | Benton | 2025 | $209.0M |
| Hwy. 412 – Springdale Bypass (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 012305 | 112 | Major Widening | Washington, Benton | 2027 | $115.0M |
| Springdale Bypass – W. Wallis Rd. (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 090513 | 112 | Major Widening | Benton | 2028 | $100.0M |
| Pleasant Grove Rd. – Hwy. 12 (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 090636 | 112 | Major Widening | Benton | 2030 | $60.0M |
| Howard Nickell Rd. – Greathouse Springs Rd. (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 040752 | 112 | Major Widening | Washington | 2030 | $45.0M |
| Don Tyson Pkwy. Extension – Hwy. 412 (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 040860 | 112 | Major Widening | Washington | 2028 | $40.0M |
| W. Wallis Rd. – Pleasant Grove Rd. (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 090514 | 112 | Major Widening | Benton | 2029 | $40.0M |
| Truckers Dr. – Howard Nickell Rd. (Fayetteville) (S) NARTS TIP 2025–2028 · job 040746 | 112 | Major Widening | Washington | 2025 | $36.7M |
| I-49 Noise Barrier Walls (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 012413 | 49 | Noise Barrier Wall | Washington, Benton | 2027 | $32.6M |
| Greathouse Springs Rd. – Don Tyson Pkwy. Extension (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 040758 | 112 | Major Widening | Washington | 2027 | $30.0M |
| Dixieland Rd. – 8th St. (Rogers) (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 090338 | 71 | Major Widening | Benton | 2028 | $28.5M |
| I-49/NE J St. Intchng. (Bentonville) (S) NARTS TIP 2025–2028 · job 090676 | 49, NEJST | New Interchange · New Location | Benton | 2027 | $25.0M |
| Hwy. 265 – Hwy. 412 (Springdale Bypass) (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 012366 | 612 | New Location | Washington, Benton | 2027 | $24.5M |
| Hwy. 102 Impvts. (Bentonville) (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 090646 | 102 | Intersection Improvements | Benton | 2028 | $23.3M |
| Hwy. 279 South – Hwy. 102B (Centerton) (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 090238 | 102 | Major Widening | Benton | 2029 | $16.1M |
| Hwy. 412 Impvts. (Springdale) (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 040894 | 412 | Major Widening | Washington | 2028 | $13.8M |
| Hwy. 412 Cable Median Barrier Impvts. (S) NARTS TIP 2027–2030 · job 012480 | 412 | Cable Median Barrier | Washington, Madison | 2027 | $11.6M |
| Washington Co. Line – Hwy. 72 (S) NARTS TIP 2025–2028 · job 09X453 | 49 | UTBWC | Benton | 2027 | $11.4M |
Top 18 of 64 programmed jobs by published estimate. ARDOT job listings in the NARTS TIP and the NWARPC 2045 MTP, via NWARPC public feature services. TIP estimates are published in $1,000s and summed across a job's segments; a job listed in both TIPs is counted once, at its newer estimate; county totals follow each segment's county; a $0 line means the TIP prints no estimate for that segment. The 2045 MTP list (48 projects, year-of-expenditure funding) joins each corridor dossier on /corridors.
Payrolls, by county and industry
BLS QCEW · private ownership · quarterly
Benton County · private jobs
139,922
+2.1% YoY · 2026-Q1
Washington County · private jobs
101,040
-0.9% YoY · 2026-Q1
Benton County · avg weekly wage
$2,602
+8.8% YoY · 2026-Q1
Private employment
Average monthly employment in the quarter
Data through 2026-Q1 · Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
Average weekly wage, private
Benton County's HQ economy vs. Washington County
Data through 2026-Q1 · Free to reuse with the credit line. · Corrections
| Industry | Benton Co. jobs | avg wk wage | Washington Co. jobs | avg wk wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 9,210 | $1,321 | 7,902 | $1,410 |
| Retail trade | 14,333 | $755 | 13,896 | $725 |
| Real estate | 1,598 | $1,099 | 1,567 | $1,090 |
| Accommodation & food | 15,227 | $475 | 13,419 | $442 |
| Health care | 14,520 | $1,097 | 17,460 | $1,238 |
| Transportation & warehousing | 11,016 | $1,597 | 5,577 | $1,155 |
| Manufacturing | 12,966 | $1,172 | 12,249 | $1,106 |
| Professional services | 9,989 | $2,035 | 5,092 | $1,451 |
Latest quarter loaded: 2026-Q1. Sectors are NAICS 2-digit, private ownership only.
Roads move rents. Get the weekly read on what Hwy 112, the Bypass, and XNA do to NWA property.
The 479 by email · free
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