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Arkansas to the next level, with the formation in 2020 of the Whole Health Institute, highlighting a whole-person approach to medicine. Then in March 2021, Walton announced plans for the Whole Health School of Medicine, breaking ground on the campus of Crystal Bridges Museum. The curriculum will combine traditional medicine with whole health principles, with plans to matriculate the first class of students in 2024. The Alice L. Walton Foundation and Washington Regional Medical System also recently announced a partnership aimed at creating a regional health system to provide more local access to specialty care. That partnership expanded on another joint initiative announced last year between the foundation and Cleveland Clinic, again, increasing access to specialty care services in Northwest Arkansas. These coopetitive partnerships bring together the unique strengths of three separate organizations with a common goal of offering "a broader scope and scale of services to our region and beyond," according to Walton. HAMMRC: A coopetitive manufacturing effort It wasn't a leap for Clark to start thinking about the business opportunities inherent in the vision of Northwest Arkansas as a top healthcare region. "The goal is to keep the money here," says Clark. "What we're missing is a healthcare ecosystem." Opportunities for medical equipment and device manufacturing came to the forefront. Strategizing began about two years ago, and resulted in the Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster (HAMMRC), a new breed of coopetitive business venture. The objective of the HAMMRC is to attract, develop, and maintain a medical manufacturing presence in the Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma region. This concept of reshoring-- transferring a business operation that was moved overseas back to its country of origin—sets the stage for success for HAMMRC. A staggering 70% of firms say they will likely reshore in the coming years. That includes Walmart, who plans to spend $350 billion over the next 10 years on items made, grown or assembled in the USA. "The goal is creating a business environment that benefits the whole, and makes everyone more profitable," says Steve. Two mayors, nine communities and an indigenous nation The HAMMRC is a coopetitive partnership between the Fayetteville Chamber and the Tahlequah (Okla.) Regional Development Authority, formed last fall. The HAMMRC geographically includes nine cities along the Highway 62 corridor, plus Elkins, all the way to the Cherokee Nation Reservation in Tahlequah. To join the cluster, HAMMRC member cities are required to make a nominal financial buy-in and pledge to obtain control of at least 5 acres of "site- ready" land to market to manufacturing prospects. So far, Farmington; Stilwell, Okla.; and the Cherokee Nation have joined, and other cities have expressed interest. Sustaining members are AEP/ SWEPCO and Ozarks Electric. It's a perfect example of coopetition, says Clark. "Let's bring together two mayors, nine communities, and an indigenous nation and focus on what we have in common. How can we work together? How can we benefit each other?" If coopetition means tearing down walls, Clark is all for it, whether those are walls between companies, communities, cities, states, countries, or even cultures. "I think coopetition is the beginning of a potential cultural as well as a business model shift in economic development. It's not just about what's good for me. It's about what's good for us." Steve Clark President & CEO, Fayetteville Chamber " " I think coopetition is the beginning of a potential cultural as well as a business model shift in economic development. It's not just about what's good for me. It's about what's good for us. 15 Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce

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