Year: 2024

Riff Raff: A strange report

“This seems strange …” That’s how a rep with Turn Key construction began a sentence about his thoughts on a report attempting to reveal the causes of flooding at the…

Then & Now: Longtime banker looks forward to retirement

Editor’s Note: The following story appeared in the March 25 issue of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. “Then & Now” is a profile of a past member of the Business…

Lyon College vet, dental schools still on track for ’25 start; Location close to finalized

Dr. Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College in Batesville, said the timeline is still intact for a Little Rock campus for a dental and veterinarian school to receive its first…

New leadership takes helm at UA’s J.B. Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence

The University of Arkansas’ J.B. Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence, focusing on supply chain innovation, is under new leadership. According to a UA news release, Justin Chimka, associate professor of…

Hester: No tax cuts before June; state employee pay, crypto mining likely fiscal session items

Senate President Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, is ready for next week’s fiscal session, but he warns that tax cuts are unlikely until after the fiscal year closes in June. Hester…

Walton Family Foundation adds 14 new firms to Design Excellence Program

The nonprofit Walton Family Foundation in Bentonville has added 14 planning firms to its Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program, bringing the total number of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and planning…

Gov. Sanders calls for convention to replace GOP nominee in House District 66 race

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders on Friday (April 5) called for a special convention to fill the vacancy for the GOP nomination in the House District 66 race. Nick Priest, the…

Hadron Insurance names Sam Reeder to CEO post

Specialty insurer Hadron announced Friday (April 5) the appointment of Sam Reeder as Chief Executive Officer. Hadron recently received a new capital investment of $250 million from Altamont Capital Partners…

XPO celebrates 30th anniversary of U.S. trailer manufacturing facility

XPO, a leading provider of freight transportation in North America, celebrated the 30th anniversary of its in-house trailer manufacturing facility in Searcy, Arkansas. Connecticut-based XPO is the only freight transportation…

Innovation fuel needed to ensure Arkansas moms survive and thrive

Although I haven’t birthed a baby, I am a dad who has been at my wife’s side during two very emotional and tense deliveries for the births of my sons….

The Supply Side: TJX banners, other off-price retailers doing well in early 2024

Consumers continue to spend on discretionary items at off-price retailers like Burlington, Ross Stores and TJX banners such as T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods. The off-price retailers are outperforming department…

Mississippi Co. receives $2 million for cleanup at former Eaker Air Force Base

Mississippi County has received $2 million in federal funding to begin a comprehensive clean-up effort at the Arkansas Aeroplex, formerly known as the Eaker Air Force Base, in Blytheville. This…

FCRA boss believes all parties will be ‘professional’ in dissolution discussions

Editor’s note: This is the second of two stories about the future of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority. Link here for the first story. Conflicts between Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority…

Fort Smith School District seeks more info in Peak Center flooding investigation

Fort Smith Public Schools has reached out to those who had a professional role in the Peak Innovation Center design and construction allowing them to respond to an investigation of…

Trenna Barker named NLR market president for First Security Bank

Trenna Barker has been named president of First Security Bank North Little Rock, the Searcy-based bank announced Thursday (April 4). She replaces John Davis, who recently announced his retirement. Barker,…

Net farm incomes projected to drop in 2024

Net farm incomes in Arkansas are projected to drop by $500 million in 2024, according to an analysis from the Rural & Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center. The “Spring 2024…

Arkansas candy, chocolate makers weigh in on cocoa crunch

Cocoa prices recently hit record highs amid global supply concerns. Still, area chocolatiers and candy makers had different opinions about the impacts of lower supplies of the core ingredient used…

Community Clinic expands reach through acquisition

Springdale-based Community Clinic, one of Northwest Arkansas’s largest primary care providers, has acquired seven of the nine clinics previously owned by Community Physicians Group (CPG) of Siloam Springs. The acquisition…

Only three Arkansas metro areas post job gains in February

February job numbers were down in five of the eight metro areas within or including parts of Arkansas. The Central Arkansas metro posted the biggest year-over-year job gain, with the…

UA breaks ground in research: $184M investment sets new benchmark

The University of Arkansas set a record of $184 million in research expenditures last year. School officials announced the details in a news release Thursday (April 4). “The university’s commitment…

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