Geovanny Sarmiento, the community affairs advisor for the City of Rogers, told a business panel in Springdale last month that the talk of inflation and rising taxes doesn’t tell the whole story for Hispanic entrepreneurs operating across Northwest Arkansas. At the 2026 Arkansas Latino Business Awards on Oct. 9, Sarmiento highlighted that enhanced immigration enforcement efforts are creating a unique layer of anxiety and logistical difficulty for local business owners that general operating costs simply don’t cover.
Sarmiento joined a diverse group of local business leaders for the panel discussion, which served as a centerpiece for the awards gala in Springdale. The moderator, Daymara Blanco—business development manager at AFIC@MCO—guided the conversation through the hurdles facing NWA’s minority-owned enterprises. Rounding out the panel were Karen Maldonado, an agricultural entrepreneur and founder of Viva La Soil; Maria Elena Lara, owner of AVJ Painting; and Adriana Fuentes, the vice president of Community Development at ACC Capital.
The conversation touched on the universal struggle of running a business: inventory costs, finding qualified staff, and managing overhead. However, Sarmiento focused on the localized friction points that disproportionately affect the Hispanic community. In a region where agriculture, construction, and services are huge drivers of the economy, the fear of enforcement actions creates a chill that wages or interest rates can’t fix.
Sarmiento noted that the added apprehension changes how people operate. Whether it’s a landscaping crew in Rogers or a family-run restaurant on College Avenue, business owners are often worried that a routine traffic stop or a workplace visit exacerbates existing economic vulnerabilities. He emphasized that for many in NWA, the instability feeling goes beyond the wallet.
Several of the panelists brought their specific industry expertise to the table. Karen Maldonado of Viva La Soil, an agricultural business, likely highlighted the challenges of an agricultural workforce. With fields stretching out beyond Bella Vista and Rogers, the blood, sweat, and labor of the season are provided by people on the ground. When enforcement fears creep into the region, that workforce—the backbone of Arkansas farming—can become elusive or hesitant to travel.
Maria Elena Lara, representing AVJ Painting, and Adri
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
