Author: Talk Business & Politics staff

Talk Business & Politics staff

Arkansas tax revenue up more than 3% in July

Arkansas began a new fiscal year in July with total tax revenue of $636.8 million, up 3.4% compared with July 2024, and 5% more than the budget estimate, according to…

Makris to retire from Simmons First; Brogdon to succeed as CEO, Casteel as chairman

Simmons First National Corp. announced Monday (Aug. 4) that George Makris, Jr. will retire as chairman and CEO of the company and Simmons Bank at the end of 2025. Jay…

Large Fort Smith water line break results in citywide conservation order

The City of Fort Smith around noon Sunday (Aug. 3) issued a citywide emergency water conservation order because of a water main break on Leigh Avenue between the Interstate 540…

Fort Smith Metro Daily News Briefs: A bank president, Alma medicine, and Miss Worldwide

Following are news brief items from the Fort Smith metro. Bank Boss Grove, Okla.-based Grand Savings Bank has hired Mark Buergler as the Fort Smith market president. He has 33…

Demo Day held in Bentonville for Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator

A new accelerator program focused on Arkansas’ emerging lithium industry was held Thursday night (July 31) at The Record in Bentonville. Three companies pitched their solutions and products in the…

Arkansas Broadcasters name Coach Nolan Richardson as ‘Arkansan of the Year’

The Arkansas Broadcasters Association announced it will induct former Razorback Basketball Coach Nolan Richardson as the Arkansan of the Year at a luncheon ceremony during its annual convention set for…

UA Little Rock receives $4.2M gift from Trinity Foundation for early childhood education

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $4.2 million gift from the Trinity Foundation to strengthen early childhood education (ECE) across Arkansas. The investment will establish the…

Business and Industry Training receives grant for equipment

Springdale-based nonprofit Business and Industry Training (BIT) recently received a $43,000 grant from the Arconic Foundation to purchase automated electrical training systems and multimedia course materials. BIT Director Julie McAllaster…

Arkansas-Asia business group names new executive director, board members

The Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses has appointed Jayesh Ramnani of Bentonville as the association’s executive director, according to a Thursday (July 31) news release. The organization also named two new board…

Connections: New hires announced at medical school, UAMS clinics

The newly opened Alice L. Walton School of Medicine recently announced several new hires at the Bentonville-based campus. The school opened July 14 and welcomed its inaugural class of 48…

Murphy USA posts a gain in quarterly income, revenue decline

El Dorado-based Murphy USA on Wednesday (July 30) posted second quarter net income of $145.6 million, just ahead of the $144.8 million in the same quarter of 2024. Per share…

ASBTDC at ASU to offer several business classes

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) at Arkansas State University will offer support in August for small businesses to learn about funding, growing and marketing their business….

First Community Bank hires Householder as vice president risk management

First Community Bank has named John Householder to its leadership team as senior vice president, risk management. Householder will monitor and mitigate potential risks that could impact the organization, while…

Heartland Forward announces leadership change

Ross DeVol, who has led Bentonville-based think-and-do tank Heartland Forward since 2019, will transition to chairman emeritus, the nonprofit announced Wednesday (July 30). Angie Cooper, president and chief operating officer,…

Cash River Valley Ducks top recent Craighead County deals

Cash River Valley Ducks LLC made the most significant residential and commercial property transfer in Craighead County from June 15 to July 15 according to the Craighead County Assessor’s Office….

Fort Smith Public School District athletic director is resigning

Michael Beaumont, director of athletics and activities for the Fort Smith Public School District, announced on Tuesday (July 29) he is resigning effective Aug. 29. Beaumont was hired by the…

June nonfarm job numbers up in all Arkansas metro areas

All seven of the metro areas in or connected to Arkansas posted nonfarm job gains in June, with Northwest Arkansas leading the group with a 3.65% gain between June 2024…

$100 million interchange to be completed In 2028

A nearly $100 million interchange project is expected to improve traffic flow at Interstate 49 and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (U.S. Highway 62) in south Fayetteville. The Arkansas Department…

Walmart settles with former supplier Zest Labs over trade secret dispute

Walmart confirmed to Talk Business & Politics that it has settled a legal battle with Zest Labs over trade secrets. The retail giant was ordered to pay Zest Labs $222…

Rice weed management seminars to be held in NEA

Agents, consultants and others in the agriculture industry can earn continuing education units, or CEUs, as they walk through new rice weed management demonstrations during three workshops in Colt, Keiser…

Nine Riceland facilities temporarily close

Tonnage up almost 11% on the Arkansas River through May

Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: USA Truck military support, Baptist Health to hold ‘MASH’ events

SGS opens Bentonville product testing lab