The Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ranks #3 on the 2013 Best Mid-Size Cities for Job Growth list released from New Geography. This is a jump of 18 spots over last year’s #21 ranking. The list is a measurement and ranking for the “robustness of a region’s growth
both recently and over time.”
NewGeography.com, a site devoted to analyzing and discussing the places where we live and work, looked at all 398 metro areas in the U.S. and created its list based upon metro area size. The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers (AR-MO) metro area that comprises Northwest Arkansas is among the mid-sized city category. To be in this category total employment for a metro area must be between 150,000 and 450,000 jobs. Northwest Arkansas is the highest rated mid-sized metro area in Arkansas with the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metro area coming in at #47. Looking at all sized metro areas, Northwest Arkansas also ranks #12 overall moving up from #107 in 2012.
“This is a big honor for the region,” said Raymond Burns, President/CEO of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. “It speaks to the quality of this region. Jobs continue to be created at a high rate. Northwest Arkansas now has more people working than before the recession.”
He added, “This is truly a Northwest Arkansas award as each community contributes to making this area a great place to live and work.”
“This award shows the continued momentum of Northwest Arkansas. We have been one of the fastest growing regions in the country over the last two decades and we are happy to have this recognition.” said Mike Malone CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. To read the ranking and see other cities that made the list visit:
http://www.newgeography.com/content/003680-midsized-cities-rankings-2013-best-cities-job-growth