Business

Optimism amid volatility

Owning or starting a small business is challenging, even in the best financial times. Still, in the uncertain economy of the past few years, small business owners face even more…

AHA study: State short of nurses, other professions

Arkansas in 2021 had only 76% of the registered nurses required to provide the national average level of care demand. The state fared better or worse compared to other states…

Education nonprofit to honor Shelley Simpson

Economics Arkansas, a nonprofit educational organization that promotes economic literacy to K-12 students, will present the 2023 Excellence in Free Enterprise Award to J.B. Hunt Transport Services President Shelley Simpson….

The Supply Side: IGD names Walmart’s top 5 tech innovations in 2022

Besides being the nation’s largest retailer, Walmart is slowly becoming a technology company. The Bentonville-based retail titan spent big on technology innovations last year in hopes of adding additional revenue…

State of the State 2023: Bank executives keep wary eye on economy

According to an executive with Arvest Bank – one of the state’s largest with nearly $26 billion in assets – the economy and its impact on businesses and consumers is…

Arkansas Tech University elects Jim Smith board chairman

Arkansas Tech University announced Thursday (Jan. 19) the election of Fayetteville attorney Jim Smith as chairman of the ATU Board of Trustees. Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Smith to a five-year…

Bank OZK profits drop 5.4% in 2022 despite strong Q4

Little Rock-based Bank OZK reported Thursday (Jan. 19) that net income for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $158.8 million, up 6.1%. Diluted earnings per common share for the fourth…

State of the State 2023: School choice, other changes to follow pandemic’s disruptions

Arkansas’ K-12 public schools have returned to mostly normal operations after the pandemic, and now they face more permanent changes with a new governor planning to give parents more control…

Gov. Sanders appoints three to State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission

Gov. Sarah Sanders on Thursday (Jan. 19) appointed Eric Jackson, Dr. Trey Berry and Rebecca Lentz to the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission. The terms for the three appointments…

Consumer spending slowed in December, holiday sales miss estimates

Consumer spending has slowed since October according to retail sales data released Jan. 18 from the U.S. Census Bureau. Retail sales in December were down 1.1% from the prior month,…

J.B. Hunt to pay 42-cent dividend in February

Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. announced Thursday (Jan. 19) it will pay a cash dividend of 42 cents per share on Feb. 24 to shareholders of record as…

ACHE adds master’s degree program

A master’s degree in public health will be yet another degree program to be offered by the Fort Smith-based Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), with the first class set…

Rodrigo Salas is determined to increase NWA entrepreneurial opportunities

A key aspect of entrepreneurship is connecting with others, which requires empathy. “I think that [empathy] is the most important part for any person who wants to be a mentor…

Walton-backed airplane manufacturer Game Composites offers job interviews for UA course completion

General aviation airplane manufacturer Game Composites in Bentonville is offering guaranteed job interviews to people who complete a course in aerospace composite manufacturing offered by the University of Arkansas Global Campus’ professional…

Rural Emergency Hospital bill expected to help financial crisis for some

Rep. Lee Johnson, R- Greenwood, filed a bill aimed at helping rural hospitals in financial distress. HB 1127, the Rural Emergency Hospital Act, would grant the Arkansas Department of Health…

Arkansas State University starts name, image and likeness program

A new program at Arkansas State University is now available to athletes and sports professionals with name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities. The certificate program in athlete name, image and…

Home BancShares tops $305 million in net income in 2022

Conway-based Home BancShares, the parent company of Centennial Bank, reported net income of $305 million, surviving “headwinds” it said it encountered in West Texas where it picked up new assets…

WAIA to form advisory committee before search for new director

The Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority (WAIA) will form an advisory committee and take time to develop a new five year plan and directives before deciding how best to find a…

Arkansas Rice Farmers, Arkansas Rice Council to hold annual meeting in Stuttgart

The Arkansas Rice Farmers and Arkansas Rice Council will hold their annual meeting on January 26 in Stuttgart at the newly renovated Grand Prairie Center. USA Rice CEO Betsy Ward…

State of the state: Health emergency probably ending, hospitals’ financial emergency not

Arkansas may soon exit a public health emergency even as some of its hospitals are facing a financial one so severe that some are on the brink of closing. When…