Some Fayetteville City Council members are reporting threats and hate mail after voting Tuesday to uphold a decision allowing Swarm Aero, a drone manufacturing company, to move forward with its planned facility near the Fayetteville Regional Airport.
The council voted 6-1 to deny Swarm Aero’s appeal of a previous Board of Adjustments ruling, which had approved the company’s site plan despite objections from nearby residents. The project, located on a 26-acre site on the east side of the airport off Steele Boulevard, includes plans for a 7,200-square-foot office building and a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
Since the vote, several council members said they’ve received hostile emails and comments on social media. Councilmember Kendra Wiggs said she received messages questioning her integrity and accusing her of being anti-business. Another councilmember, Sarah Stanford, said she’s been called names and told to “watch her back.”
“It’s one thing to disagree with a vote,” Wiggs said. “It’s another to send threatening messages because you don’t like the outcome.”
Fayetteville Police Department confirmed they are investigating the reports but didn’t provide details on the nature or number of threats. A police spokesperson said the department is working with city staff to ensure the safety of elected officials.
The tension around the Swarm Aero project stems from concerns raised by neighbors in the nearby Springhill neighborhood, who worry about increased noise, traffic, and potential safety risks from drone testing flights. Some residents also questioned whether the company would be a good fit for the area, citing the military applications of its drones.
Swarm Aero, which manufactures small tactical drones for military and defense contracts, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site in February. Company officials have said the facility will bring about 50 jobs to Fayetteville and contribute to the local economy.
During Tuesday’s meeting, councilmembers acknowledged the divided community sentiment but emphasized that the decision was based on legal and procedural grounds. Mayor Lioneld Jordan said the Board of Adjustments had followed city code, and the council’s role was not to re-litigate the technical aspects of the case.
“We have to trust the process,” Jordan said. “This was not a vote about whether we support the business or not. It was about whether the proper channels were followed.”
Still, the emotional response from residents was palpable. Several people spoke during the public comment period, with some expressing frustration that their concerns had been dismissed. One resident, who lives within sight of the proposed facility, said the area was sold to her as quiet and rural.
“We didn’t move here to live next to a drone testing facility,” she said. “We were promised peace and quiet, and now that’s being taken away.”
The lone dissenting vote came from Councilmember Zach Williams, who argued that the city should have taken more time to consider the community’s concerns. Williams said he worried about setting a precedent that could lead to more industrial development in residential-adjacent areas.
“We’re not just talking about a business,” Williams said. “We’re talking about the character of our neighborhoods.”
Swarm Aero’s project has highlighted ongoing tensions in Fayetteville between economic development and quality of life. The city has seen a wave of new businesses and residential developments in recent years, driven in part by population growth and proximity to the University of Arkansas.
City planners say they’re working on updated zoning guidelines to better address mixed-use and industrial development near residential areas. In the meantime, Tuesday’s vote is likely to remain a flashpoint for debate.
For now, Swarm Aero is moving ahead with its plans. The company has said it expects to begin operations later this year.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
