CONWAY, AR - Business is good at Jenifer's Antiques in Conway, so it doesn't surprise owner Jenifer Bradley that Faulkner County is the 73rd fastest growing county in the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
"Not at all, not at all," said Bradley. "I've had this business for 12 years and it has just been consistently growing."
Across the street, Jane Lambert, the owner of Blue Ribbon Antiques, isn't surprised either. As the county keeps growing, so does her business.
"Well we're thinking about expanding. It's not on paper yet," Lambert said.
Conway Area Chamber of Commerce President Brad Lacy attributes the growth partially to a diverse economy. Also, don't forget all of the colleges in Faulkner County and even some factors way out of town.
"Some of the other areas that have been traditionally growing so fast like Nevada and some places out west are slowing down dramatically," Lacy said, "and so places like Conway and Faulkner County that have always been consistent are just sort of rising to the top now."
That's just fine with business owners like Lambert, who say if you don't spend much time in Faulkner County, maybe you should start.
"Conway, it just feels active when you come down," Lambert said.
The only other county in Arkansas to make the fastest growing list is Benton County, which came in three spots ahead of Faulkner at number 70.
