Summary
‍The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell had the opportunity to sit down with Katherine Andrews, the director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation with the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. James and Katherine had a lot to talk about as they both have a background in economic development, a love for Arkansas outdoors, and of course, a drive to showcase Bentonville to the world. Thanks for joining us!
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Show Notes:
(0:50) Introducing Katherine Andrews
(3:12) A History of the Office of Outdoor Recreation
(11:43) How Companies Today Are Choosing Locations for Their Businesses
(14:11) How Katherine’s Office Is Helping Businesses Say Yes to Arkansas
(18:05) Northwest Arkansas’s Competitive Advantages
(20:37) Why Bentonville?
(21:22) How Outdoor Companies Can Capitalize on Bentonville
(24:22) Katherine’s 5-Year Goals for the Office of Outdoor Recreation
(27:00) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

‍Links
‍JAMES BELL
KATHERINE ANDREWS
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‍Quotes
“Arkansas’s outdoor recreation scene is unmatched. We are a state that prides ourselves on the abundant opportunities in our great outdoors. In the Natural State, we have over 100,000 miles of navigable streams and rivers, 600,000 acres of lakes, 5 world class Epic Rides mountain bike trails, thousands of miles of hiking trails, over 3.2 million acres of public land, America’s first National River, the Buffalo National River…America’s first Reserve National Park, which is Hot Springs National Park…the highest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalations, big game hunting…and on and on.” Katherine Andrews, (5:43)

“One of the hardest challenges for recruiting companies [is] actually getting someone from the company to come here. But once we actually got them here, then they [say] ‘ok now I understand. It makes sense to me.’ There’s an incredible opportunity as a state right now to capitalize on attracting new companies and workers to the state by leveraging our natural assets.” Katherine Andrews, (11:09)

“Today, one of the biggest driving forces for companies when they’re making location decisions is workforce. Some of the others are business friendliness, cost of doing business, cost of living, proximity to suppliers and consumers. Fortunately for us, we have all of those things. We are one of the most business-friendly states in the US, we are located smack-dab in the middle of the country…and we have a very diverse industry in Arkansas.” Katherine Andrews, (11:43) 

‍“There’s something special happening here. Bentonville is a community that cares deeply about its people and about creating a sense of place. It draws companies in. So if you look at the investments being made by the philanthropic groups, large corporate organizations, and others, that only just becomes more clear. Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing metros the US, so…that choice to me would be a no-brainer to move here.” Katherine Andrews, (20:37)

‍“My overall goal is for this office to become the one-stop-shop for all things outdoor recreation, a gathering place for knowledge, information, and resources.” Katherine Andrews, (24:10)
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Arkansas’s Booming Outdoor Recreation Industry with Katherine Andrews
‍On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell had the opportunity to sit down with Katherine Andrews, the director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation with the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. James and Katherine had a lot to talk about as they both have a background in economic development, a love for Arkansas outdoors, and of course, a drive to showcase Bentonville to the world.
‍The Office of Outdoor Recreation
‍“One of the hardest challenges for recruiting companies [is] actually getting someone from the company to come here. But once we actually [get] them here, then they [say] ‘ok now I understand. It makes sense to me.’ There’s an incredible opportunity as a state right now to capitalize on attracting new companies and workers to the state by leveraging our natural assets.” Katherine Andrews, (11:09)
Katherine Andrews is uniquely positioned to lead this newly-created office with her experience in commercial real estate, leading small business initiatives for Arkansas, and economic development. She is the only director of her kind with this specialized background, which gives her a business-forward advantage as she leads the state to capitalize on one of its most important assets: the great outdoors. As she sees more companies moving and growing here, she is even more driven to show the world what Arkansas has to offer.
‍“My overall goal is for this office to become the one-stop-shop for all things outdoor recreation, a gathering place for knowledge, information, and resources.” Katherine Andrews, (24:10)
Arkansas is the 16th state and only the 2nd in the South to develop a formal Office of Outdoor Recreation. As she builds it, Katherine is proud to get up and go to work every day with the ability to do a job that involves her love of Arkansas and her business background. She is partnering with other outdoor groups in the state to collaborate and create the best system possible to help everyone to take advantage of the Natural State.
‍Why Bentonville?
“Today, one of the biggest driving forces for companies when they’re making location decisions is workforce. Some of the others are business friendliness, cost of doing business, cost of living, and proximity to suppliers and consumers. Fortunately for us, we have all of those things. We are one of the most business-friendly states in the US, we are located smack-dab in the middle of the country…and we have a very diverse industry in Arkansas.” Katherine Andrews, (11:43) 
Katherine is convinced that the secret is out on what makes this state amazing. The fact that Arkansas hits all the major relocation markers companies look for, coupled with the reality that this is the only place that checks those boxes in the middle of the country, sets Arkansas up for incredible growth in the coming years. This gives Bentonville an incredible advantage as companies are looking for areas in the state who are eager to welcome these new opportunities.
‍“There’s something special happening here. Bentonville is a community that cares deeply about its people and about creating a sense of place. It draws companies in. So if you look at the investments being made by the philanthropic groups, large corporate organizations, and others, that only just becomes more clear. Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing metros the US, so…that choice to me would be a no-brainer to move here.” Katherine Andrews, (20:37)
The opportunities coming Bentonville’s way would not be possible without the hunger for growth from its residents. Bentonville is touted time and time again as a place where the people are friendly and inclusive and where progress is welcome. It is a diverse area with a hometown feel and excitement for new and interesting ideas, people, and businesses to stake their claim in it too.
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‍Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Bentonville Beacon! Join us weekly for more stories from entrepreneurs and business leaders who are making a positive impact on Bentonville’s culture, community, and lifestyle. Don’t forget, Bentonville is a place where you can have more of what you want and less of what you don’t!