Author: Talk Business & Politics staff

Talk Business & Politics staff

BRS Cares

When the economy crashed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it hurt many communities in the Arkansas Delta that were already struggling with poverty. Mississippi County is the largest steel…

Fresh eyes preferred for next Fort Smith superintendent

It’s considered wise for vital public institutions seeking new leadership to consider internal persons in a process that also seeks qualified outside candidates. There are exceptions to that wisdom. The…

Self-storage facilities sell for $23.75 million

Colorado-based real estate investment company Spartan Investment Group has acquired three existing self-storage facilities in Northwest Arkansas, according to a news release. The facilities in Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale comprise…

Arkansas jobless rate at 3.6% in February, jobless numbers rise

The number of unemployed in Arkansas rose almost 9% in February compared with February 2024, with net year-over-year job gains up 1.3%. The state’s jobless rate was 3.6% in February,…

U.S. GDP up 2.8% in 2024, below the 2023 growth rate

U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 2.8% in 2024 thanks to gains in consumer spending, investments, government spending, and exports, according to the third estimate posted by the U.S….

The 10th annual Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program launched

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture will partner with Farm Credit for the 10th annual Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program. In 2024, the Department awarded over $11,500 in grants to 21…

ASBTDC to host funding, growing and marketing classes for businesses in April

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

Justin Etter to become CEO of Craighead Electric Cooperative Corp.

Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation Board President Terry Rorex announced Wednesday (March 26) that Justin Etter of Jonesboro has been named as the next CEO of Craighead Electric. Etter was promoted…

Variety of Northwest Arkansas startup programs underway, taking applications

Area businesses and organizations recently announced various accelerators, incubators and other programs supporting Arkansas startups. Following are the programs underway, in the works or need applicants. • ScaleUp Accelerator Bentonville-based…

UA alumni give $250,000 to ‘Opportunity’ scholarship campaign

University of Arkansas alumni Stephanie and Kevin Wilcox of Little Rock have given $250,000 to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship Endowment, according to a university news release. “We are immensely…

Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation distributes funding to cotton farmers

The Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation (ABWEF) board of directors authorized the distribution of a $1 per acre cash rebate to growers for reported 2024 cotton acres registered with the…

251 acres of cattle land tops Craighead County real estate deals

Bland Cattle and Land LLC made the most significant residential and commercial property transfer in Craighead County from Feb. 15 to March 15, according to the Craighead County Assessor’s Office….

168 UAMS medical school graduates match for residencies

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Match Day on Friday (March 21) led to 168 placements for residencies in 30 states. Match Day is where medical school graduates…

Ritter invests $4 million in Jacksonville fiber expansion

Ritter Communications is making a $4 million investment in Jacksonville to expand its RightFiber fiber optic internet. The project is expected to be completed in late 2025. RightFiber’s network is…

Arvest seeks support for Million Meals initiative

Fayetteville-chartered Arvest Bank will launch its 15th annual Million Meals initiative on April 1. Since its inception in 2011, the initiative has raised more than 25 million meals and collected…

Skyline Report notes ‘significant’ growth in Northwest Arkansas residential market

The number of homes sold and the number of building permits for home construction in Northwest Arkansas indicate a housing market that is growing and going against national trends, according…

UAFS announces tuition and fee support program

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith on Monday (March 24) announced a tuition and fee aid program primarily targeted at the 60% of students who receive federal help but…

Remy Cofield named UA deputy athletics director, general manager

Remy Cofield, who recently worked as director of scouting for the Boston Celtics and played basketball for the University of Pennsylvania, is the new University of Arkansas deputy athletics director…

2024 average monthly Fort Smith metro jobs up 2.2%, below peak of 2008

Growth in the professional and business services and the education and health services sectors contributed to almost all the Fort Smith metro job gains in January, according to the latest…

Delta Symposium at A-State slated for April 9-11

The 30th annual Delta Symposium at Arkansas State University is slated for April 9-11 on the A-State campus in Jonesboro. The theme for this year’s event is “It’s About Time”…

1st woman to graduate from UCA Aviation Academy is from Prairie Grove

Arkansas rice acres planted drop to lowest level in 50 years

Jonesboro, Craighead County officials ready for new E-911 center

Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: Physician, business award nominations sought, FSPD detectives recognized