COVER STORY
30 Years of CARTI in Conway
In 2026, CARTI is marking two meaningful milestones. It has been 50 years since the organization was founded in 1976, and 30 years since CARTI first established a presence in Conway in 1996. Those anniversaries are worth celebrating, and they also invite a look at what this steady presence has meant for patients, families and the community over time. In Conway, that history can be seen in the practical ways care has become easier to reach and easier to navigate.
CARTI was founded with a clear purpose: to ensure Arkansans could receive advanced cancer care without leaving the state. That commitment still guides the organization today. CARTI’s mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient it serves through compassion, innovation and purpose. In Conway, that mission has taken shape across three decades through steady growth, expanded services and a long-term investment in meeting people where they are.
FOCUS
Economic Development
Economic Development Announcements Since 2020 Top $1 Billion
These recent economic development announcements represent more than $1.4 billion invested in the local economy and 1,220 new jobs for Conway and surrounding areas Read the full story here.
How Arkansas Competes for New Business Using Economic Development Incentives
Incentives are far from the most important factor in attracting new or expanded investment. However, when the competition for a project may be global in scope, incentives can be a differentiator. Read more.
Everett Agencies Brings Largest Office, Training Hub to Conway
Jason Everett, owner of Everett Agencies, is opening his largest office yet in Conway, a 7,000-square-foot space that will serve as the hub for recruiting, training, and development for Globe Life Liberty National Division Everett Agencies. Get the full story here.
POPULATION GROWTH
Conway Tops 72,000 Residents, Growth Among Fastest in Country
Conway has added nearly 8,000 residents since 2020, making it the 76th fastest-growing city in the nation among cities of at least 50,000, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
The city posted a five-year growth rate of 12.38%. In 2025, the city grew 1.69%, adding 1,205 residents.
WHAT’S THAT GONNA BE, PRESENTED BY FIRST COMMUNITY BANK
Arkansas’s First Romance Bookstore Opens in Downtown Conway
Pages & Ink is the first romance bookstore and candle bar to open in Arkansas and has already found a dedicated community since its opening on April 25 in downtown Conway.
Owner Madison Walters has curated a selection of romance novels for every kind of reader and hand-pours every candle herself, each one tied to a romantic trope like Enemies to Lovers, Cowboy Romance, and Grumpy x Sunshine.
TOP HOMES, PRESENTED BY FIRST SECURITY BANK
Local Housing Market Brief with First Security Bank
“The housing market in Faulkner County has continued to entertain this year. Home prices per square foot are impressive. The countywide figure for homes sold has increased nicely. However, year-to-date quantity of homes sold within the Conway City limits declined slightly compared to 2025. Total dollars also reflect that trend, a decline in Conway and an increase in the county. Greenbrier led the way in sales price, recording a $1,075,000 sale in Highland Hills in Greenbrier. Highland Hills was also home to another of the top five sales for the month. One trend is consistent between Conway and the outlying areas: prices per square foot are up.
Sales volume of new homes could see a decline based on housing construction permits filed so far this year. Through April, Conway issued 43 compared to 52 this time last year. Greenbrier has issued 18 compared to 40 last year. Activity within Vilonia’s jurisdiction has been minimal, with two permits this year compared to 29 at this point last year. We do continue to see good movement in First Security’s spec/presold/housing portfolio and are optimistic about continued consistent/stable activity in Faulkner County.”
–J.B. Mobley, Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer at First Security Bank
$1M Greenbrier Home Tops the List in April
A 4,700-square-foot home in Greenbrier sold for seven figures in April and topped the Faulkner County list for the month. The Taryn Trail home sold for $1.075 million and $228.72 per square foot. The new build features 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and a 0.77-acre lot.
ECONOMY AT A GLANCE, PRESENTED BY ARVEST BANK
Local Economy Brief with Arvest Bank
As we look back at the economic data shaping Conway through the first half of 2026, our community remains an exceptional engine of resilience. Navigating a shifting national landscape from a position of distinct strength, Conway’s key indicators point toward steady, localized momentum.
- A Leading Labor Force: Conway’s job market remains a cornerstone of our economic health. The local labor force stands strong at 38,625 participants, maintaining an exceptionally low unemployment rate of just 4.0% — comfortably outpacing both the Arkansas state average (4.4%) and the national benchmark (4.4%).
- Retail and Hospitality Surge: Consumer confidence is on full display. Year-to-date total retail sales have climbed to $661.21 million, a vibrant 5.02% increase over last year. This growth is heavily supported by the hospitality sector, with restaurant sales up 1.73% ($49.87 Million) and local hotel sales experiencing a remarkable 6.00% expansion ($3.13 Million).
- The Real Estate Premium: The housing market is experiencing fascinating dynamics driven by limited inventory. While total sales volume across Faulkner County rose 11.82% to $403.99 million, the number of homes sold inside Conway city limits dropped 13.81% (543 homes sold YTD vs. 630 last year). This tight supply has intensified competition, driving Conway’s median home price up by a substantial 14.94%.
- Steadying the Scale: Broader fiscal metrics show a healthy stabilization after a period of rapid expansion. Conway’s year-to-date total use tax pulled in $110.65 million (a minor 5.17% pullback against 2025’s historic baselines), while Faulkner County as a whole remained remarkably steady at $183.14 million, dipping a negligible 0.89%.
The Bottom Line
What do these numbers tell us? They confirm what we see every day at the bank: Conway is a thriving, forward-thinking community backed by a rock-solid economic foundation. We have a robust consumer base, highly competitive businesses, and a real estate market that continues to command a premium.
At Arvest Bank, we are proud to stand alongside the families, entrepreneurs, and leaders who drive this economy forward. The pulse of Conway is strong, and our future remains incredibly bright.
-Patrick Lewis, Community Bank President at Arvest Bank
THE LADDER
Employee News Around Conway
Check out the latest new hires, promotions, and awards around Conway.