Year: 2024

NEA C-Suite: Carroll Caldwell

How would you describe your company? I started my career in real estate in construction in 1966 in Cherokee Village, Ark. During high school, I worked there in construction during…

NEA C-Suite: Chris Barber

How would you describe your company? St. Bernards is a community health endeavor, supported and sustained by the same communities we serve. The Olivetan Benedictine Sisters founded St. Bernards on…

CBID to hold special meeting about possible purchase of Fort Smith city hall

The Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District Board has called a special meeting to once again discuss the possibility of purchasing the building at 623 Garrison Ave., which is used…

Sept. 29 is deadline to apply for Builders + Backers accelerator

Arkansas residents can apply for the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator through Sept. 29, according to a news release. The program offers up to $5,000 to turn ideas into businesses…

Walmart and Sam’s Club supply chain divisions to merge

Walmart recently announced a merger of Sam’s Club’s corporate supply chain employees with Walmart’s internal supply chain. David Guggina, head of supply chain operations at Walmart, confirmed the news first…

City of Fort Smith moves forward on solar energy plan

The Fort Smith Board of Directors recently approved a solar energy plan. A $1.452 million investment will generate about $100,000 in annual energy cost savings that will offset 68% of…

The Supply Side: Ranch2Retail seeks to connect retailers with cattle supply chains

Rogers-based startup Ranch2Retail (R2R) is just what the name implies – a bridge between cattle ranchers and retailers who sell beef products and the supply chain that connects the two….

Agri an important part of Northwest Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas is widely known as the home to three Fortune 500 companies and the University of Arkansas. These companies drive a large portion of the region’s economy and greatly…

Walton Family Foundation accepts design applications

The Walton Family Foundation is accepting applications for its Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program through Oct. 10. Design professionals can apply online at this link. The applications are open to…

$13 million hospital building tops Craighead County property deals

United Methodist Behavioral Hospital Jonesboro LLC made the most significant residential and commercial property transfer in Craighead County from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15, according to the Craighead County Assessor’s…

Gov. Sanders names Sam Dubke as communications director

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders announced Monday (Sept. 23) that Sam Dubke will serve as her new Communications Director. Dubke previously served as Sanders’ deputy communications director and speechwriter. He replaces…

Arkansas Heritage grants provided to small museums

Arkansas Heritage recently recognized recipients of Small Museum and Arkansas Heritage grants at its headquarters in Little Rock. These grant programs provide awards to Arkansas’ small history museums, historical societies,…

Enrollment on the rise at BRTC

Black River Technical College had a surge enrollment in terms of actual students and an increase in the in the number of credit hours taken. Jason Smith, vice president of…

UCA President discusses changes coming to higher ed, ‘enrollment cliff’

University of Central Arkansas President Dr. Houston Davis has helped guide the Conway-based university to some solid enrollment gains over the last four years. Earlier this fall, UCA welcomed one…

Gov. Sanders makes appointments to boards, commissions

Governor Sarah Sanders announced the following appointments: Arkansas Beef Council Michael McMillan, Hot Springs Village, to the Arkansas Beef Council. Term to expire March 30, 2026. Replaces Terry Laster. Arkansas…

Arkansas’ August job numbers up 1.8%, jobless numbers dip 1.14%

Net annual Arkansas job growth rose 1.8% in August, and the number of unemployed in the state fell 1.14%. The state’s August jobless rate was 3.3%, unchanged compared to July…

Tyson Foods sued over ‘climate-smart’ product claims

Environmental Working Group (EWG) has sued Tyson Foods over the company’s “climate-smart” claims. The civil suit was filed Sept. 18 in the District of Columbia Superior Court and backed by…

Triad Eye Institute acquires Vold Vision’s NWA operations, 2 clinics

Tulsa-based Triad Eye Institute recently acquired the Northwest Arkansas operations of Vold Vision, purchased its Fayetteville clinic for $12.5 million and leased another in Bentonville. Dr. Steven Vold of Vold…

Ceremony marks operational opening of foreign pilot training center in Fort Smith

With sounds of construction and activity in the background, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) on Friday (Sept. 20) held a “proof of concept” ceremony at Ebbing Air National Guard Base…

U.S. Department of Energy awards $225 million to lithium efforts in Southwest Arkansas

Standard Lithium Ltd. and Equinor announced Friday (Sept. 20) that its jointly-owned U.S. subsidiary, SWA Lithium LLC has been selected for up to $225 million from the U.S. Department of…