Author: Talk Business & Politics staff

Talk Business & Politics staff

Lennar agrees to buy Rausch Coleman Homes

Miami-based Lennar Corp. announced Tuesday (Nov. 19) it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Fayetteville-based Rausch Coleman Homes. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is expected…

Doula Alliance of Arkansas names Lori Ross as founding executive director

The Doula Alliance of Arkansas announced Tuesday (Nov. 19) Lori Ross as its founding executive director. With three decades of leadership experience in the medical and nonprofit sectors, Ross brings…

Hispanic group provides scholarships, plans closure

The NWA Hispanic Leadership Council recently awarded $120,000 in scholarships to 30 college students. According to a news release, the council will cease operations at the end of this year….

Water for Good refreshes brand

Bentonville-based nonprofit Water for Good recently released a new brand, logo and identity after its merger with Lifewater International earlier this year. Lifewater International merged with Water for Good of…

Arkansas’ October jobless rate at 3.3%, below the 3.7% in October 2023

An almost 6% gain in Education and Health Services sector jobs helped push Arkansas’ net new jobs in October up 2.5%. The state’s jobless rate was 3.3% in October, unchanged…

Asian Business organization accepting award nominations

Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses (AAAB) is seeking nominations for its inaugural Asian-Owned Business Award. Nominations will be accepted through midnight Nov. 22. According to a news release, the award…

Weyerhauser to build $500 million facility in south Arkansas, add 200 jobs

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, announced Monday (Nov. 18) plans for a $500 million investment to build a new, state-of-the-art timber processing facility near…

DOE awards almost $1 million to UA researcher

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $997,588 to Xiaoqing Song, a University of Arkansas assistant professor of electrical engineering, for research that could lead to smaller and more reliable…

Project CARE, schools, local businesses collaborate for annual job fair

Leaders of the Project City Administrators Ready to Engage, or CARE, and area-wide schools are collaborating for their third transitional job fair on Tuesday (Nov. 19) at the Nettleton Baptist…

Jay Silveria named next University of Arkansas System president

Jay Silveria has been named the next president of the University of Arkansas System, an institution with more than 70,000 enrolled students and more than 17,000 employees. He succeeds Donald…

George Makris to return as CEO of Simmons Bank, new COO named

Simmons First National Corp. announced this week that Robert “Bob” Fehlman will step down as CEO and former CEO George Makris, the current executive chairman, will assume CEO duties effective…

Arkansas State University System Board approves $30.6 million bond issue to build veterinary school

The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees has approved a $30.6 million bond issue to finance construction for the new College of Veterinary Medicine at the A-State campus in…

State awards $48 million in grants for workforce training

Gov. Sarah Sanders, Secretary Hugh McDonald, Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers, and Arkansas Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits on Thursday (Nov. 14) awarded $48 million in training grants to support…

Methodist Family Health buys Arkansas Continued Care Hospital in Jonesboro

Methodist Family Health, a statewide continuum of care providing psychiatric, behavioral and emotional services to children and their families who are abandoned, abused and neglected, recently purchased the facility in…

Andrew Smith hired as program director for 75Strong

75Strong, a statewide initiative designed to support, scale, and sustain Arkansas’ entrepreneurial community has hired Andrew Smith as the program director. “Andrew’s unique blend of experience from curriculum development, community…

U.S. refinery capacity to fall nearly 3% by end of 2025

Declines in U.S. refinery capacity are expected to slow the decrease in refining margins. Refinery margins or crack spreads, the difference between the selling price and the cost of production…

Serve2Perform partners with Sam M. Walton College of Business

Professional development firm Serve2Perform in Fayetteville is collaborating with the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas to provide workforce development and economic development opportunities across…

Connections: Central States becomes member of certified EO

Tontitown-based metal manufacturer Central States Inc. has become a member of Certified Employee-Owned (Certified EO), a certification program for American employee-owned companies. Central States is 100% employee-owned by its 1,400…

Haxton Road Studios to close in Bentonville

About 3,200 square feet will become available for lease in January following the closure of Haxton Road Studios at 222 S.E. Second St. in downtown Bentonville. Neil Greenhaw, a Bentonville…

Former Arkansas Gov. Huckabee tapped to be Israeli ambassador

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, 69, has been picked by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is the father of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders,…