(March 23, 2026) – Olsson has received an Engineering Excellence Award for our work on the Northwest Arkansas Energy and Environment Innovation Plan. We were honored as the category winner in the Environmental Small Project Category by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Arkansas.

“Our team is proud to partner with the community to create solutions that support sustainability, resilience, and economic growth for many years to come.”

Developed in partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, the plan establishes a regional roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 across three counties. It outlines voluntary strategies across energy, transportation, industry, agriculture, buildings, waste, and carbon removal to reduce emissions while improving air and water quality and promoting equity.

“At its core, this plan is about improving quality of life while preparing the region for the future,” said Brad Hammond, Olsson area leader. “Our team is proud to partner with the community to create solutions that support sustainability, resilience, and economic growth for many years to come.”

The plan delivers both priority and comprehensive action plans that support emission reduction, job creation, and long term regional growth. It advances local goals such as expanding electric and active transportation options, addressing landfill capacity, enhancing outdoor recreation, improving stormwater quality, and reducing flood risk.

Olsson led the project through three phases. Phase one produced the Priority Action Plan. Phase two helped secure more than 36 million dollars in funding to integrate active transportation, streambank restoration, and environmental restoration efforts. Phase three delivered the Nature Based Solutions Mapping Tool and the comprehensive plan, providing communities with actionable resources to guide future decision making.

In addition to the category win, Olsson projects also received Honor Awards through this year’s Engineering Excellence Awards program, including the Springdale Water and Sewer Master Plan, Fayetteville Midtown Corridor, and Fayetteville Civic Plaza.

The Engineering Excellence Awards recognize projects that demonstrate exceptional achievement, value, and ingenuity while meeting critical client and community needs.