Business

Grants available for nonprofits from Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation

The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation, in partnership with Arkansas Community Foundation, is providing funding opportunities for nonprofits that serve African American or underserved populations in Arkansas. Eligible nonprofits…

Curtis Wethington joins Stephens private wealth management division

Stephens, an independent financial services firm, announced that Curtis Wethington has joined the firm’s Private Wealth Management division as a Financial Consultant. Wethington will be based in the company’s Hot…

Economic developer Jim Fram honored by international council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) awarded Jim Fram the status of Honorary Life Member (HLM) in recognition of his commitment to excellence and impact on the field of economic…

J.B. Hunt buys Lowell pastureland for $18 million

About 56 acres of pasture east of Interstate 49 and north of the headquarters of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. in Lowell recently sold for $18.25 million. The purchase price…

Gov. Sanders announces ACCESS higher ed details, seeks to remove DEI metrics

Gov. Sarah Sanders unveiled details of her Arkansas ACCESS higher education reform plan on Friday (Feb. 14). The roughly 110-page bill, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, and Rep. Matthew…

Fort Smith metro ends 2024 on a positive jobs note

The Fort Smith metro ended 2024 with a lower jobless rate and a net job gain of 1.3% compared with December 2023. The education and health services, manufacturing, and tourism…

Then & Now: Crawford expects business to grow significantly over 5 years

From a young age, Cody Crawford knew he wanted to be in the construction business. Throughout high school and college, he worked for his father’s friend, who was a contractor….

Fort Smith teacher placed on leave after racial slur used in a test

A Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS) high school English teacher was placed on administrative leave Thursday (Feb. 13) after complaints of racism were made to administration regarding a test administered…

Cherokee Nation contributes $8 million to planned Mercy-Fort Smith cancer center

The Cherokee Nation on Thursday (Feb. 13) announced an $8 million contribution to Mercy-Fort Smith for its planned cancer center. The hospital system has been relatively quiet about the planned…

A-State all-time spring enrollment record

Arkansas State University had a record headcount of a record 16,073 students this spring semester, a 10% increase over spring 2024. Chancellor Todd Shields said this is the second consecutive…

To win big, Arkansas needs more power, updates to incentives

Economic development is a competitive business. Businesses have a choice of where to locate and expand. From high-profile projects like Amazon’s HQ2 to multi-billion dollar manufacturing facilities, most corporate location…

Key Tronic to invest $28 million into Springdale site, add more than 400 jobs

Spokane Valley, Wash.-based electronics manufacturer Key Tronic Corp. will invest $28 million to relocate its Fayetteville plant to a 290,540-square-foot industrial building at 601 W. Apple Blossom Road in Springdale,…

The Supply Side: Walmart making changes in system that audits supplier payments

A retail business as large as Walmart U.S. with $441.8 billion in sales during fiscal 2024 incurs significant accounting and post-audit transactions given the number of suppliers, the millions of…

Taquería Lucha to open Fayetteville restaurant; Ozark Charcuterie opens new location

Taquería Lucha will open a restaurant in March at 412 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. The team behind Tula in Fayetteville established the restaurant in 2023 and built a following…

Real Deals: Washington County poultry farm sells for $7.9 million

An 80.64-acre poultry farm northeast of U.S. Highway 62 and Arkansas Highway 59 in Summers has changed hands after a sale worth $7.9 million. The purchase price equals $97,957 per…

State of the State 2025: Energy, workforce among top issues for manufacturing sector

Energy and workforce availability, higher costs, and global uncertainty primarily related to tariffs and trade wars are on the minds of U.S. and Arkansas manufacturing industry executives as they navigate…

Pool, diving facility at Creekmore Park set for Memorial Day opening

Renovation to the pool, diving facility and bathhouse area at Creekmore Park is on budget and on schedule, with all indicators pointing to the facility opening with a regular schedule…

Agriculture chief outlines farm issues at A-State conference

The farming community is facing a multitude of problems from weak commodity prices, higher input costs, potential trade wars, and other problems as the planting season creeps nearer. Arkansas Agriculture…

U.S. retailers increase layoffs in January as stores close

Retailers slashed 6,419 jobs in January, up 96% from the prior month and 20% higher than a year ago, according to a Feb. 6 Challenger, Gray & Christmas report. Challenger…

Fluoridation repeal measure stalls in Senate committee

A bill that would repeal Arkansas’ statewide fluoridation program and remove the requirement that water systems maintain a fluoride content failed in the Senate Public Health Committee on Wednesday (Feb….