Business

Mars Adding 42 Fort Smith Jobs In $50 Million Expansion

A U.S. pet industry that has grown an estimated 22% in the past four years may have helped Mars Petcare officials decide on a $50 million expansion of their Fort…

Truck Tonnage Indices Up, But Caution Signs Abound

Freight activity was up in the U.S. during September but transportation industry watchers are keeping an eye on driver shortages, capacity issues and the relative health of the U.S. labor market.

Deltic Timber Posts 80% Gain In Quarterly Net Income

Deltic Timber’s buyout of a stake in Del-Tin Fiber continues to pay dividends. The El Dorado-based timber and real estate firm posted third quarter profits of $5.8 million compared to…

Home Bancshares, Liberty Bancshares Deal Closes

Formally, it’s a done deal. Home BancShares announced that its previously announced $280 million acquisition of Liberty Bancshares has officially closed. The two bank enterprises both received shareholder approval for…

Tech Park Board Picks Downtown Site

The Little Rock Technology Park Authority board voted 4-3 to locate a new technology park at a site in downtown Little Rock. The long-running debate has stirred heated discussions in…

Mars to add 42 Fort Smith jobs in $50 million expansion

A U.S. pet industry that has grown an estimated 22% in the past four years may have helped Mars Petcare officials decide on a $50 million expansion of their Fort…

Sales tax revenue rises in October

The four largest cities in Northwest Arkansas continue to post sales tax revenue growth compared to a year ago. The cumulative collections from Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville rose 4.16%…

Wal-Mart adds tablets to its store trade-in program

Wal-Mart said today (Oct. 23) that customers can trade in their tablets at more than 3,600 stores and Sam’s Club locations nationwide. Similar to its new smartphone trade-in program, customers…

South Coast Baking makes sweet deal in Springdale (Updated)

Northwest Arkansas’ job magnetism continues with news that South Coast Baking, a cookie dough provider for Mrs. Field’s, Sam’s Club and Panera Bread, is locating a second production center in…

South Coast Baking To Add 150 Jobs In Springdale

South Coast Baking Co. announced it would open a production facility in Springdale, creating 150 jobs averaging roughly $25 per hour. Irvine, Calif.-based South Coast Baking, one of the nation’s…

Arkansas Poll: Senate, Governor Races Tight

The 2013 annual Arkansas Poll, conducted by the University of Arkansas, shows very competitive U.S. Senate and Arkansas Governor’s races, similar to polling conducted earlier this month.

Apparel Is A Renewed Focus At Wal-Mart

It’s been two years since Wal-Mart announced it would bring its apparel division back to Bentonville from New York City as part of an effort to rekindle its focus on…

Freight industry faces driver shortages, uncertain economy

Freight activity was up in the U.S. during September but transportation industry watchers are keeping an eye on driver shortages, capacity issues and the relative health of the U.S. labor…

Mercy ‘navigator’ works to help cancer patients with the process

The mere mention of the word cancer is enough to make anyone shudder. It immediately evokes fears of chemo, radiation, and an uncertain future. Patients and their families are too…

Study: Teachers Must Shift Focus In Common Core

A majority of American English and reading teachers surveyed in 2012 said the new Common Core State Standards will improve student learning, but they must shift their focus to teaching…

Graduate NWA hosts back-to-college fair

It’s been a year since the Northwest Arkansas Council and six partner schools joined forces to try and direct more working adults back to college. More than 50 interested residents…

Teacher Insurance Task Force To Meet Friday

The State and Public School and Health Insurance Program Legislative Task Force created during this past session will have its first meeting on Friday, according to the chair of the…

Apparel is a renewed focus at Wal-Mart (updated)

It’s been two years since Wal-Mart announced it would bring its apparel division back to Bentonville from New York City as part of an effort to rekindle its focus on…

Downward trend continues for Fort Smith tax revenue

The good news is that Fort Smith tax revenue collections are consistent. The bad news is that the trend line is moving in the wrong direction. Each of the city’s…

Attorney: Fort Smith has no authority in Whirlpool issue

Fort Smith City Directors hoping for some sort of October surprise that would have given them broad legal powers to enforce the city's wishes and demands on Whirlpool in their…