CHAMBER VOICE
THE BOND ISSUE HOW WE INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF ROGERS
Q4 | 2026
Contents 04 Hob Nob
Mingling with our Candidates
05 What To Know Before You Hit The Polls Important dates and quick links
06 Vote For: 2026 Rogers Bond Issue
The rate stays the same - the investment continues
09 Issue 3
Expanding Local Economic Development Tools
12 Thank a Teacher Celebration: A Huge Success The Community Comes Together to Celebrate Educators
14 Fall Job Fair
Connecting Our Workforce to Opportunities
16 NWA Community Showcase: Bringing People Together Celebrating the unique and vibrant culture of NWA
18 Chamber Golf Tournament
A Fun Day of Friendly Competition For Our Members
20 2027 Sponsorship Book Now Available Check out next year’s events to get involved
03
STNEVE GNIMOCPU
FRI 11.6
10:00 AM 3:00 PM
Sporting Clays Classic @ Gunsmoke Sporting Clays MORE INFO
WED 11.10
8:30 AM 9:30 AM
WED 11.18
8:30 AM 10:00 AM
Coffee Connection @ The Villas on Turtle Creek MORE INFO
Chamber Tutorial @ Rogers Lowell Chamber MORE INFO
THU 11.19
5:00 PM 6:30 PM
SAT 12.5
4:00 PM 8:00 PM
Business After Hours @ Ashleigh Lounge MORE INFO
Sips on the Bricks @ Downtown Rogers MORE INFO
04
O CTO B E R 1 5
Hob Nob: Mingling With The Candidates
The Rogers Lowell Chamber hosted its Hob Nob at Joint Business After Hours, presented by AT&T, at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. In partnership with the Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together members of the regional business community for an opportunity to connect face-to-face with local legislative candidates and hear their perspectives ahead of the November 3 General Election. Through hosting Hob Nob at Joint Business After Hours, the Chamber supports its mission work in government affairs by keeping the business community engaged in the issues that shape our region’s future. • T H A N K YO U TO O U R S P O N S O R S !
05
What To Know BEFORE YOU HIT THE POLLS
10.19
11.03
Be sure to check the hours of your voting location!
Polls may be more crowded plan accordingly!
EARLY VOTING BEGINS
OFFICIAL ELECTION DAY
HELPFUL LINKS: Benton County Candidate Overview Washington County Candidate Overview Check Your Voting Status & Find Your Polling Location Municipal Candidate Information
06
Rogers Bond Issue
2026 Rogers Bond Issue The rate stays the same. The investment continues. More residents means more vehicles on city streets, more calls for police and fire services, and greater demand for parks, trails, and other community amenities. For businesses, those issues effect far more than convenience. The bond would extend the city’s existing onecent sales tax (which will not increase) to refinance approximately $118 million in outstanding bonds and support an estimated $339 million in new capital investments. The investments include:
$118M refinanced outstanding bonds
$195.5mil for streets and transportation $81.5mil for parks and recreation $32.75mil for fire department improvements $20.75mil for police department improvements $8.75mil for animal services Together with the refinancing of existing debt, the
$339M estimated capital improvements
total proposal is approximately $457 million. The refinancing question is the foundation of the entire bond packages. If voters do not approve the bond measures will fail and none of the proposed
1¢
capital improvements can move forward, even if
sales tax continues, does not increase
$118 million refinancing measure, the remaining
voters approve those individual measures.
07
2026 Rogers Bond Issue cont.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The largest portion would go towards streets and transportation. Those investments are intended to help Rogers maintain existing roads, improve connectivity, and prepare the transportation network for continued population and business growth. Public safety is another major component. Investments in facilities, equipment, and capacity are essential to maintaining the level of service and assistance the community deserves. Parks and recreational amenities also play an important role in Rogers’ future. These spaces support families, promote health, and strengthen the quality of life that helps businesses recruit and retain employees. Through this bond, the city is looking to nearly double its park acreage by adding a new park on the west side of town. The proposal would also allow the city to purchase the Rogers Activity Center and expand its capabilities with more courts and facilities to keep pace with the growth of our community.
Streets & Transportation
$195.5M Police, Fire, & Public Safety
$53.5M Parks & Recreation
$81.5M
08
2026 Rogers Bond Issue cont.
A CONTINUATION OF LONG-TERM PLANNING The 2026 proposal represents the next phase of long-term planning, as it connects directly to Vision 100, the community-driven process created to help Rogers prepare for its next century. Through public discussions and focus groups, residents consistently emphasized the importance of thoughtful growth, reliable infrastructure, strong public safety, and a high quality of life. The bond proposal begins turning those priorities into potential projects and investments. This bond is endorsed by the Rogers Lowell Chamber and the Chamber Board.
Why The Chamber Endorses The Bond Issue The Chamber’s role is to help connect business,
Between now and November, residents and
government, and the community around the
businesses should take time to understand what is
decisions that will shape our future. Leaders
being proposed, how the existing sales tax would
Conference created a space for people to hear
be used, and how investments could affect the
directly from those planning and deliverying city
community. The future of Rogers will not be
services, ask questions, and provide input. That
shaped by growth alone. It will be shaped by how
work will continue as the proposal moves forward.
well we prepare for it.
MORE ABOUT VISION 100
MORE ABOUT THE BOND ISSUE
09
CHAMBER & CHAMBER BOARD SUPPORT ISSUE 3
“
Supporters say the measure would give Arkansas communities tools already used in neighboring states to compete
Expanding Local Economic Development Tools This November, Arkansas voters will decide on Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow cities, counties, and cooperative partnerships to create Economic Development
for new jobs and private investment while keeping decision-making at the local level. The proposal would not create a statewide program or mandate. It would keep existing tax revenues for schools and other local services, as they are today, but with the opportunity for revenues to increase overtime depending on the project
Districts (EDDs).
being brought into the area. If Issue 3
These districts are designed to give local
Legislature would have to enact
communities additional tools to encourage business development, support infrastructure improvements, revitalize commercial areas, and fund economic development projects. Under the proposal, local governments could establish EDDs through a public process with hearings, local oversight, and accountability measures. Revenue generated from new economic growth within a distruct could be reinvested into projects such as roads, utilities, housing, broadband, workforce development, and business
passes on the November Ballot, the enabling legislation in the 2027 Session to specify the specific rules and regulations pertaining to the EDDs. The Rogers Lowell Chamber and the Chamber Board support Issue 3, citing its potential to strengthen economic development efforts, attract employers, encourage redevelopment, and provide communities with greater flexibility to invest in future growth.”
recruitment.
Sara Lynn Geiger
MORE ABOUT ISSUE 3
SVP of Government Affairs, Rogers Lowell Chamber
12 AUGUST 6
Thank a Teacher Celebration: A Huge Success The Community Comes Together to Celebrate Educators The Rogers Lowell Chamber, in collaboration with Rogers Public Schools, was proud to host another annual Thank a Teacher Celebration, sponsored by Sam’s Furniture. Alongside our business community, the Chamber celebrated more than 2,000 teachers and staff members with over $35,000 in door prizes, including an extraordinary $10,000 home makeover provided by our presenting sponsor, Sam’s Furniture. The business community’s support also helped create a memorable Teacher Fair, sponsored by Hight Jackson, where more than 100 local businesses and nonprofits connected with educators through products, services, and giveaways.
By hosting the Thank a Teacher Celebration, the Chamber has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to workforce development and educator support by connecting our local business community with the teachers and staff who serve our school district.
“You can really feel the energy and excitement in the room,” said Ross Phillips, RLC Chief Operating Officer. “As Rogers Public Schools’ local Chamber, we’re honored to play a role in supporting the teachers and staff who are empowering our future workforce.” • T H A N K YO U TO O U R S P O N S O R S !
14
SEPTEMBER 2
Fall Job Fair: Connecting Our Workforce To Opportunities
The Rogers Lowell Chamber hosted hundreds of job seekers and more than 50 hiring employers at this year’s NWA Fall Job Fair, presented by John Brown University. Designed to give job seekers and employers in our local business community an opportunity to connect face-to-face, this event continues to be a pillar of the Chamber’s mission to support economic and workforce development. RLC hosts the largest job fairs in Northwest Arkansas every spring and fall. •
T H A N K YO U TO O U R S P O N S O R S !
16 SEPTEMBER 19
NWA Community Showcase: Bringing People Together Celebrating the unique and vibrant culture of NWA The Rogers Lowell Chamber, in partnership with the City of Rogers, was proud to host another annual NWA Community Showcase, sponsored by PepsiCo and the Walton Family Foundation. This event highlighted our inclusive and welcoming community through live entertainment, local food trucks, and an interactive marketplace.
By hosting the NWA Community Showcase, the Chamber has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to community and downtown development by connecting local businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations with the community members who make our region unique.
“Hosting an event like this in downtown Rogers highlights our local business owners, nonprofits, and community resources, as well as the neighbors who call Northwest Arkansas home,” said Sam Danneberg, RLC Vice President of Downtown Development. “We’re proud to help showcase the diverse cultures that make our region so inclusive and welcoming!” • T H A N K YO U TO O U R S P O N S O R S !
18
O CTO B E R 9
Chamber Golf Tournament: A Fun Day of Friendly Competition For Our Members
The Chamber Golf Tournament, presented by Farmers & Merchants Bank, brought the local business community together for some friendly competition at The Creeks Golf & RV Resort while supporting the Chamber’s mission. Morning Winners: 1st Place: Farmers & Merchants Bank – Team 1 2nd Place: Sign Designs 3rd Place: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Closest to the Pin: Chris Brown Afternoon Winners: 1st Place: pb2 architecture + engineering – Team 2 2nd Place: Centennial Bank 3rd Place: pb2 architecture + engineering – Team 1 Closest to the Pin: Bill Mabrey Overall Winner: Farmers & Merchants Bank – Team 1
T H A N K YO U TO O U R S P O N S O R S !
CLICK TO VIEW!
Why sponsor? Because this is our community. Northwest Arkansas is more than a place to do business. It’s the places we know, invest in, and call home. For more than a century, the Rogers Lowell Chamber has brought local businesses and community leaders together to build a stronger place to work, grow, and live. Your sponsorship helps us continue that work by creating connections, supporting local business, advocating for our community, and bringing people together. When you sponsor the Chamber, you’re not just supporting an organization. You’re investing in the community we all share. Thank you for being part of it.
SIPS ON THE
BRICKS
DEC 5 AT 4 PM
DRINK COMPETITION | UGLY SWEATER CONTEST | AFTER PARTY presented by MORE INFO
Serving Business & Community Since 1922