NEA Business Notes: Tractor Supply to stay in Walnut Ridge
The city of Walnut Ridge announced that Tractor Supply has signed a 10-year lease extension for its Walnut Ridge store, reinforcing the retailer’s long-term commitment to the community and the surrounding region.
Tractor Supply opened its Walnut Ridge location in late 2016 under an initial five-year lease. The new agreement extends the company’s presence in Walnut Ridge. Mayor Charles Snapp said the lease extension is a positive sign for Walnut Ridge’s business climate and the community’s continued momentum.
The Walnut Ridge store serves customers from across Lawrence County and the surrounding area, offering products for agriculture, home improvement, lawn and garden, pet care and rural living. Since opening, the store has become an important part of the city’s retail base and a key service provider for residents, farmers and landowners, according to the city.
First Community Bank Hires Davis As Assistant Vice President
First Community Bank has announced the addition of Ashley Davis as assistant vice president, business development officer in Batesville.
Davis will focus on building relationships, generating new business opportunities, calling on existing and prospective customers, and helping grow the bank’s presence in the community. She will also represent First Community Bank at local events and community initiatives.
Davis brings 24 years of banking experience to First Community Bank and has established ties throughout Independence County through her professional and volunteer involvement.
Catherine Mills Named Barry Goldwater Scholar
Lyon College junior Catherine Mills of Clinton has been named a 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholar, one of the nation’s most competitive undergraduate awards in science, mathematics and engineering.
Mills, a double major in chemistry and biology with a minor in mathematics, was selected for academic achievement, research experience and her goal of becoming a physician-scientist. She maintains a 4.0 grade-point average and has conducted research since her first year at Lyon.
She works in the laboratory of Dr. Irosha Nawarathne, professor of chemistry and director of undergraduate research, on rifamycin-core-based antibacterial compounds to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens. Her work has been presented at conferences and contributed to a manuscript published in “Molecules.”
Mills also completed a summer research appointment at the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, contributing to clinical studies that produced a peer-reviewed publication and a manuscript under review, Nawarathne said.
Terrence Ward Receives Bill Miller Scholarship
The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce has announced that Executive Director Terrence Ward has been awarded a scholarship through the Bill Miller Scholarship Fund to attend year one of the 2026 Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
The scholarship supports community and economic development professionals seeking advanced training in community development leadership and strategy.
Established in 1987, the CDI is a nationally recognized training program for those working in community and economic development in Arkansas and surrounding states. The program is structured as a three-year curriculum, with participants attending five days of intensive training annually while progressing through the program in cohorts.
The scholarship fund was established by Miller’s family in honor of the late Bill Miller, who was a co-founder of the CDI program and served as its public face and longtime director until his retirement from the University of Central Arkansas in 1998. The endowed scholarship recognizes individuals who embody the values Miller championed throughout his career, including integrity, collaboration and service to community.
Citizens Bank Announces New Hires
Citizens Bank recently welcomed back two former associates and added a community engagement expert. Joining the bank are Janelle Shell as senior vice president and director of marketing, Eva Henriksen as vice president and senior branch manager of retail, and Paige Presser as assistant vice president and director of community engagement and events.
The three bring decades of banking, marketing and community leadership experience to Citizens Bank.
ASU Faculty Gain New Certification
A new group of Arkansas State University faculty recently earned the Effective Teaching certification after completing training with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE).
ACUE is nationally recognized for its year-long professional development program, which provides educators with evidence-based teaching practices. Faculty explore instructional strategies focused on active learning, inclusive teaching, effective assessment, and student motivation and implement these practices directly in their courses.
The 33 faculty members bring the total number of A-State faculty members who have completed the ACUE Effective Teaching Certification to 136. A-State history professor Dr. Kellie Wilson Buford, who received her certification, said the training will benefit both her and her students.
Arvest Bank Raises Funds The Food Bank Of Northeast Arkansas
Arvest Bank announced that its 16th annual Million Meals campaign has raised a record $633,513, providing more than 3.16 million meals to fight hunger in the bank’s four-state footprint. Of this amount, $13,927 will directly support the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas.
The Million Meals campaign runs from April to May each year to support local food banks and pantries during the busy summer months. With school out, many children lose access to free or reduced-price lunch programs, placing an additional burden on families. Every dollar donated during the campaign can provide up to five meals for those in need.
Since it began in 2011, the Million Meals initiative has raised more than $5.7 million and provided over 31 million meals in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.
Arkansas once again ranked first among the most food-insecure states in the nation, with 19% of households reporting that they lacked enough food to feed their families, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Across the U.S., 18% of households with children under 18 experienced food insecurity in 2024, and 11% had elderly individuals living alone.