Author: Roby Brock

Roby Brock

Weather Pounds GDP Growth Rate In Arkansas In 2011

Arkansas’ GDP totaled $91.496 billion in 2011, up just 0.3% compared to 2010, with a decline in agricultural income the culprit for low growth, according to economist Michael Pakko.

Two Congressional Run-off Debates Planned

Two debates featuring run-off Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress are scheduled for Wednesday and Monday, courtesy of KARK-Channel 4.

Shale Play Impact In Arkansas: $4 Billion In 2012

The Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has put a new price tag on the financial impact of the Fayetteville Shale Play — $4 billion.

HomeBancshares Johnny Allison: Acquisitions, Higher Interest Rates Ahead

HomeBancshares Chairman Johnny Allison told a Conway crowd that the community bank it helped start in 1999 has exploded with growth and is about to get much larger. Allison was the featured speaker at the Conway Chamber of Commerce CEO luncheon series, which was held on the campus of Central Baptist College.

Janalyn Williams To Head Arkansas March Of Dimes

The March of Dimes has named Janalyn Williams as its new Arkansas state director. Williams, a native of Bald Knob, will oversee all facets of the Arkansas chapter from programs,…

Museum Of Discovery Adds Two To Board

The Museum of Discovery announced two new board of trustee members, Brooke Hicks of Windstream Communications, Inc. and James Jones of Entergy Corporation. A certified public accountant, Hicks serves as…

Beebe Says Opposition To Wind Industry Tax Credits ‘Un-American’

According to various reports, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe (D) said opponents of a tax credit for the wind energy industry are “un-American.”

Ciara Spillane Joins Mangan Holcomb Agency

Ciara Spillane has joined Little Rock-based Mangan Holcomb Partners as account service manager. In this role, she will be responsible for supporting the advertising-marketing-public relations agency’s account executives and management…

Party Leaders Eyeball Incumbents On Target List

Party leaders in Arkansas offer their target list for turnover in 2012.

Former Caterpillar Exec Defines A New VIP Vision

Does the company you work for give you a reason to care, or is it just a place where you earn a paycheck? Jon Harrison says it should be the first, and if it’s not, then the company can change that.

Holmes’ Ruling To Open Foreclosure Bottleneck In Arkansas

A May 11 ruling from U.S. District Court Judge J. Leon Holmes is expected to unplug a bottleneck of foreclosure filings that began in the fall of 2011 when a bankruptcy court ruling essentially halted the sale of foreclosed homes.

Will Whiting Lands Post With UA Development Office

Will Whiting is the new assistant director of development for University Initiatives at the University of Arkansas. Whiting returns to the university — where he previously held the role of…

Walton Family Foundation Invests $21.5 Million In Arkansas Home Region

The Walton Family Foundation announced it invested nearly $21.5 million in initiatives within the foundation’s home region of Arkansas in 2011.

State Revenues Improve For Sixth Straight Month

A sixth straight month of improving sales tax collections and higher individual and corporate income taxes carried the May revenue report to a rosier picture.

Tolbert And Cook Predict Ellington, Jeffress In Run-offs

Bloggers Jason Tolbert and Michael Cook squared off to discuss the results of the May 22 primaries, the match-ups in the June 12 run-offs, and the political climate heading into November.

Brawner: Calling On Rich Problem-Solvers To Run

Stephens Media columnist Steve Brawner takes a look at the stalled effort of a national group hoping to create a center-government political party based on moderate Republican and Democratic leadership.

Shackelford: Obama, Wolfe And The Protest Thing

Scott Shackelford provides opinion columns for our content partner, The City Wire. In his latest contribution, Shackelford attempts to dissect the protest vote against President Obama by little-known Tennessee attorney John Wolfe.

Arkansas Film Commissioner Says ‘Pipeline Is Active’

Arkansas Film Commissioner Christopher Crane said the state has momentum in its effort to advance movie making projects and to develop the infrastructure needed to support them.

Weekend Digest: Queen Elizabeth Hits 60, While Obama & Romney Are Likely To Remain Mum

In this week’s politics digest, Queen Elizabeth II hits a milestone, Presidential candidates will be mum on these issues, and a states’ look at health insurance exchanges.