Business

Sales tax collections down in Jonesboro, Craighead County to start year

Sales and use tax collections dropped in Jonesboro, and Craighead County experienced a significant drop in January when compared to collections during the same month the previous year. In January,…

Rocket motor company breaks ground in Camden on four plants

L3Harris Technologies began construction Thursday (Feb. 20) on four new solid rocket motor production facilities at the company’s Camden site in south Arkansas. The expansion is part of a $215.6…

Gov. Sanders announces round of appointments to boards, commissions

Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Thursday (Feb. 20) the following appointments: Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Andrew Berner, Jonesboro, to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Term to expire Jan. 14, 2027. Replaces…

Entrepreneur Thomas ‘Tommy’ Boyer of Fayetteville dies

Businessman and philanthropist Thomas E. “Tommy” Boyer of Fayetteville died Wednesday (Feb. 19). He was 84. Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Boyer to the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees in…

General Darby Challenge returns to Fort Smith

The second annual Fort Smith General Darby Challenge will be April 27, starting in Cisterna Park downtown. The event is hosted by the Fort Smith Museum of History, the new…

Walmart net income up 25.3% in fiscal year, retailer forecasts slower growth

Walmart on Thursday (Feb. 20) reported fiscal fourth quarter revenue of $180.55 billion, up 4.1% compared with the same period a year ago. Net income totaled $5.25 billion in the…

Analysis of ACCESS Act for higher ed details funding changes, indoctrination restrictions

Gov. Sarah Sanders’ proposed ACCESS Act for higher education could make funding available for college noncredit certificate programs, while potentially withholding funding for institutions that don’t comply with the bill’s…

ATU-Ozark set to graduate more nursing students

The Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus has 31 students on track to graduate in May from the nursing program, above 23 in May 2024. Students in the program have also posted…

Joann to close four Arkansas stores

Craft specialty store Joann is closing 500 stores, including four in Arkansas, as the retailer works through its second bankruptcy filing in less than a year. The 82-year-old crafts and…

LR Chamber report: Clinton Presidential Center 20-year impact is $4.9 billion

The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce released a new study of the economic effects of the Clinton Presidential Center that shows a 20-year impact of more than $4.9 billion….

Investing in cybersecurity for our capital, state, and nation

I love Arkansas. And I love Little Rock. I have been vocal and active in promoting Little Rock – not just because it’s been my home for decades, but because…

Dr. Ginger Gummelt named UALR dean of College of Business, Health, and Human Services

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announced Wednesday (Feb. 19) that Dr. Ginger Gummelt will serve as the next dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services…

NYITCOM at A-State accepting applications for project H.E.A.R.T.

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State) is accepting applications for Project H.E.A.R.T., the college’s “mini-medical school” program for high school…

Blake Rollins joins Poultry Federation as EVP

The Poultry Federation named Blake Rollins as executive vice president. As a native Arkansan with family ties in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, Rollins brings a strong understanding of the region to…

Benton County top US county for wage growth, Arkansas wages up 5.5%

At 15.5%, Benton County had the largest average weekly percentage wage growth in the third quarter of 2024 among the 369 “largest” U.S. counties, according to a report posted Wednesday…

Rogers-based Crafton Tull acquires Laneshift

Crafton Tull, a Rogers-based engineering and design firm, has acquired Bentonville-based Laneshift, according to a Wednesday (Feb. 19) news release. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to…

Van Buren, Fort Smith officials part of 75Strong program

Four community leaders from the Fort Smith metro are part of the inaugural 75Strong cohort. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) program is designed to help individuals “foster entrepreneurship and…

The Supply Side: Walmart sees growth in optical, pharmacy businesses

Services sold by Walmart continue to add to the retail giant’s ability to boost net income at a better rate than revenue. Optical and pharmacy services are two of the…

Tax benefits for Arkansans through Arkansas Brighter Future 529 plans

Tax season may not be the most exciting time of year, but it can come with some silver linings — like the opportunity to save for your loved one’s education…

Be Pro Be Proud expands to Alabama

Be Pro Be Proud, an initiative by the Associated Industries of Arkansas to help students launch careers in high-demand technical professions, has announced its expansion into Alabama in collaboration with…