Devin Howland is the Director of Economic Vitality for the city of Fayetteville, Arkansas. The city's department focuses on economic mobility and equity through workforce development and small business growth and support. In his role, Devin oversees and manages the municipality's economic development efforts.
Before working for the City of Fayetteville, he served as the Economic Developer for the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, where he led recovery efforts following a tornado. Devin is also a certified economic developer with the International Economic Development Council.
Real estate prices are rising, and affordable housing is becoming scarce, especially among first-time home buyers and low-income families in urban cities. So, how are cities addressing this pressing issue, and what can you glean from their efforts?
Fayetteville, Arkansas is considered one of the fastest-growing cities and has been named one of the best places to live in the country. To maintain this status, the economic department has executed high-density housing projects in areas with notable growth potential. However, this requires extensive planning and resource analytics. Therefore, the city has prioritized each development endeavor, from infrastructure maintenance to transportation, to ensure sufficient funds. Other cities, such as Denver, Colorado and Austin, Texas, have utilized density bonuses to increase affordable housing units in designated areas.
In today's episode of The Same Day Podcast, Mat Zalk hosts Devin Howland, Director of Economic Vitality for Fayetteville, Arkansas, to address housing disparities and economic development. Devin talks about how Fayetteville's government facilitates housing and economic development, how the city's tax rates impact development, and the importance of prioritizing infrastructure growth.
