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Fort Smith Metro posts record jobs but growth remains narrow, UAFS economist says
Summary
Kendall Ross of the UAFS Center for Economic Development told the board unemployment is 4.4% and total nonfarm jobs are at a 20‑year high (about 105,200), with recent gains concentrated in leisure & hospitality and trade/transportation; Ross emphasized population constraints and proposed training programs to boost capacity.
Kendall Ross, associate vice chancellor for economic and workforce development at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, told the board the Fort Smith metro has reached a record number of jobs but that growth is concentrated and constrained by population trends. "Unemployment is 4.4%. Total non farm jobs, 105,200," Ross said in his opening headlines, calling the market "stable" but capacity‑constrained.
Ross said the recent job gains are driven mainly by leisure and hospitality, and trade, transportation and utilities; government jobs declined slightly. He highlighted manufacturing as a structural strength — about 17% of local employment — and said health services are at a long‑run high. Ross warned that house‑price growth and rising wages create affordability pressures: "House price index are up since February 2020, 60%. The average weekly earnings were up 30%."
Representatives from the Western Arkansas Planning & Development District described workforce programs that support training and re‑entry. "We at Western Arkansas planning received the WIOA funds... the program is designed to support individuals in gaining skills necessary for employment," Ashley Garris said, listing apprenticeships, vocational training and youth work experiences. Ross and WAPADD staff said targeted training (including a UAFS manufacturing academy) and stronger talent retention strategies are the primary levers the city can use to expand hiring capacity.
Board members asked for Fort Smith‑specific data versus MSA totals (Ross noted the Fort Smith metro covers Sebastian, Crawford and Sequoia counties and said he would research whether Fort Smith‑only data can be extracted). Ross offered to return with additional breakdowns and recommended regular Compass reports to track trends.
