Benton County Residents Oppose Proposed Industrial Development Authority

Dozens voice concerns over plan to finance and build large-scale projects to attract businesses

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:05am

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A serene, nostalgic painting of a weathered farmhouse set against a rural Benton County landscape, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the scene, conceptually representing the community's desire to preserve its character and property rights.The proposed industrial development authority has sparked concerns among Benton County residents about the potential for eminent domain and a lack of local control over economic decisions.Benton Today

Dozens of Benton County residents attended a town hall meeting in Bella Vista to express their opposition to a proposed Northwest Arkansas Regional Industrial and Technology Development Authority. The authority would have the power to finance and build large-scale real estate projects to attract businesses to the county, but residents raised concerns about eminent domain and a lack of local control.

Why it matters

The proposed authority has sparked significant backlash from Benton County residents who fear it could lead to the government seizing private property through eminent domain and make decisions without sufficient local input. This highlights the ongoing tension between economic development efforts and preserving community character and individual property rights.

The details

The Benton County Quorum Court approved an ordinance in January directing the county judge to work with judges from neighboring counties to form the industrial development authority. However, the Washington and Madison county quorum courts opted not to move forward with the proposal. Residents at the town hall overwhelmingly opposed the authority, with more than 45 indicating they were against it and no one voicing support. Concerns centered around the authority's potential use of eminent domain and a lack of local control over its decision-making.

  • The Benton County Quorum Court approved an ordinance on January 29 to form the industrial development authority.
  • The Arkansas Legislature introduced Senate Resolution 20 on April 8 to amend the law that enabled the creation of such authorities, removing their power of eminent domain and requiring more local oversight.

The players

Joseph Bollinger

Benton County District 7 justice of the peace who hosted the town hall meeting and fielded questions from residents.

Ron Maloney

Director of economic development for the Northwest Arkansas Council, a nonprofit group of community and business leaders, who previously told the Quorum Court that an industrial development authority would not raise taxes or create fiscal burdens for residents.

Charles Clemmons

A Bella Vista resident who questioned the need for an industrial development authority in Benton County, the most prosperous county in the state.

Barry Moehring

Benton County Judge who was directed by the Quorum Court ordinance to act together with judges from neighboring counties to form the industrial development authority.

Tyler Dees

Arkansas state senator who sponsored Senate Resolution 20 to amend the law enabling industrial development authorities and remove their power of eminent domain.

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What they’re saying

“My parents moved us to Colorado in the '70s. My wife and I left Colorado in 2003. Since that time, that state has gotten to a point where the highest bidder controls the state. We don't want that here.”

— Charles Clemmons, Bella Vista resident

“People talk about eminent domain for roads or whatever it may be. That's a whole new topic, right, but we're talking about eminent domain, taking someone's farm to build a factory? No. Absolutely not. No eminent domain for personal gain.”

— Joseph Bollinger, Benton County District 7 justice of the peace

What’s next

The Benton County Quorum Court will discuss the proposed industrial development authority and a potential amended ordinance at its Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday. Justice of the Peace Brian Armas said he intends to make a motion to table the ordinance indefinitely until Act 576, the law enabling such authorities, is sufficiently amended.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between economic development efforts and preserving local community character and individual property rights. Benton County residents have made it clear they do not want an industrial development authority with the power of eminent domain, underscoring the need for greater local control and input over such decisions that could significantly impact their lives and communities.