Year: 2024

Then & Now: Title executive’s path focused on growth

Editor’s Note: The following story appeared in the April 22 issue of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. “Then & Now” is a profile of a past member of the Business…

Statewide meetings slated to update Arkansas water plan

In compliance with an executive order from Gov. Sarah Sanders, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is updating the Arkansas Water Plan. The department will hold public meetings to engage stakeholders…

Acquisition spree fuels growth of Cards Recycling

Since the beginning of 2023, with the backing of a New York private investment firm, Fayetteville-based Cards Recycling has been in hypergrowth mode. That is the best phrase to accurately…

Grimes confirmed as U.S. Marshal for Arkansas’ Western District

Former Sebastian County Sheriff Gary Grimes has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas. The district includes 34 counties stretching from…

Better reimbursement, access and more midwives among maternal health ideas

Policymakers, government agency officials, doctors and medical advocates on Wednesday (May 1) discussed the need for action to improve maternal health in Arkansas, which has the highest maternal mortality rate…

Arkansas firm Tempus Realty Partners crosses $1 billion investment threshold

An Arkansas-based real estate investment firm recently hit the $1 billion milestone, the company’s CEO said. Tempus Realty Partners of Little Rock surpassed the number with a $7.6 million deal…

Arkansas’ rice crop poised for back-to-back years of expansion

Arkansas’ rice crop rebounded in terms of acres in 2023, with farmers adding 327,000 more acres than they planted in 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that the…

$1.9 million residential land, office building deals top Craighead County property sales

Morris Real Estate Holdings made the most significant residential and commercial property transfer in Craighead County, from Feb. 15 to March 15, according to the Craighead County Assessor’s Office. The…

Average Fort Smith metro job numbers up almost 2% through March

The average monthly job number in the Fort Smith metro through March is 115,857, up 1.76% compared with 113,845 during the same period in 2023. Gains in the Education and…

Murphy USA posts lower revenue, net income

Murphy USA reported Wednesday (May 1) lower first quarter revenue and income compared to a year ago in part due to rising expenses related to employees and store maintenance. The…

Bekaert to expand Van Buren operation, add 38 jobs

Bekaert Corporation announced Wednesday (May 1) it will expand its Van Buren manufacturing facility, creating 38 new jobs. The jobs, when benefits and overtime are included, pay around $75,000 annually,…

Panama, Suez Canal issues likely to impact costs for consumers, farmers

During the 1800s, there were many failed attempts to build a canal across points in Central America. To trade goods from the Atlantic to Pacific, seafarers had to take a…

Area CDL training demand remains robust amid freight recession

According to a new report from the National Transportation Institute, companies are pausing training programs and hiring partnerships with commercial driver’s license (CDL) schools as a downturn in the freight…

AG Griffin co-leading 21-state coalition opposing ATF gun show loophole rule

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin on Wednesday (May 1) announced he is co-leading 20 other state attorneys general in a federal lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and…

ISM report: manufacturing activity contracts in April

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector reversed course in April as it contracted after expanding in March, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Before the March expansion, the…

Greenway Equipment CEO promoted to new role with parent company

Greenway Equipment CEO Marshall Stewart has been elevated to CEO of Dynasty Management Group, the parent company for Greenway, the company announced Wednesday (May 1). Bill Midkiff taken over as…

Heartland Forward seeks to improve maternal health outcomes

Bentonville-based Heartland Forward is addressing U.S. maternal health and negative pregnancy outcomes that result in $165.3 billion in medical costs. Arkansas is one of four states with the lowest maternal…

Encore Bank announces changes to leadership team; Phillip Jett to serve as acting CEO

Little Rock-based Encore Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Encore Bank, announced Tuesday (April 30) has accepted the resignation of CEO and Chairman Chris Roberts. As part of the…

Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame announces 8th class of inductees

The Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame (AWHOF) has released the names of its eighth class of inductees — seven women and one organization – that have made significant contributions to…

Research program brings new blackberry variety to Arkansas

Danish farmers were excavating a peat bog in 1835 when they found a woman’s body. It was so well preserved in the bog that initially it was believed she had…

Construction on largest solar array in U.S. begins in Mississippi County

UAMS, Mena Regional Health System enter co-management agreement

The Communications Group announces ownership transition

Tempus fund acquires North Little Rock, Fayetteville buildings for $42 million