EDITORIALS

Beyond the expected

NWA business leaders set sights on success

One of the most productive ways to become better as an athlete is to compete against someone who is, at least on paper, better at the game. What is it the Proverbs say? Iron sharpens iron. Whether working with someone or competing against them, if the goal is improvement, it pays to measure one’s capabilities against someone else who has demonstrated excellence. Why seek to learn from someone who at the same level or even below?

It’s a lesson area business leaders are taking to heart. For years, the Northwest Arkansas Council, a collection of business men and women who advance an agenda of growing the region’s economic foundation, have measured the economic performance of Benton, Washington and Madison counties in Arkansas as well as McDonald County in Missouri against the likes of Tulsa and Omaha, Neb. These are considered areas of comparable size and economic power, and Northwest Arkansas has measured up well for years.

But do you get better by continually measuring how the region stacks up against comparable communities, or by examining communities doing better?

“We want to compete in another class,” said Mike Malone, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council.

At a recent meeting, the council measured the region against Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, N.C. Perhaps it stung a little when a spokesman for the Austin Economic Development Department said Northwest Arkansas never comes up in discussions about other competitive areas. The only way Northwest Arkansas ever shows up as a growing presence in Austin’s rear-view mirror is to examine that region’s strategies, amenities, strengths and weaknesses and use the knowledge to build our region’s economy.

As much as we are aware of this region, local enthusiasm means little for decision-makers beyond our borders. On a map of economic development, Northwest Arkansas doesn’t yet have a star. People are still surprised to learn what Northwest Arkansas has to offer. It will be an accomplishment when they’re no longer surprised.

It’s the right change of mindset for the region. The state of Northwest Arkansas is strong, but can be so much stronger. The only way the region can hit a new target is to adjust its sights.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

A new strategy of measuring Northwest Arkansas against communities that beat its economic performance is a strong approach to advance the region’s goals.

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