Business

Downtown Fort Smith postal union pickets planned

Members of four unions representing employees of the U.S. Postal Service plan a to gather on Sept. 27 outside the downtown Fort Smith office of U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers….

Beebe not in ‘panic mode’ to replace Haley

Editor’s note: Roby Brock, with our content partner Talk Business, wrote this report. He can be reached at [email protected] Gov. Mike Beebe said Friday morning (Sept. 23) he is actively…

Tourism On The Rise In Arkansas

Arkansas’ tourism tax collections through July are up 1.74% compared to the same period of 2010 and aren’t far behind 2008, the record year of collections for the state’s 2% tourism tax.

Area tourism taxes up through July

Although July hospitality tax collections were down in Van Buren, the regional tourism industry continues to push collections above 2010 levels. For the first seven months of 2011, hospitality tax…

Fort Smith enplanements up in August

Enplanements at the Fort Smith Regional Airport were up in August, but remain below the year-to-date activity compared to 2010. For the first eight months of 2011, enplanements at the…

Arkansas income up 4.82% in second quarter

Personal income in Arkansas during the second quarter of 2011 was $99.649 billion, up 4.82% compared to the second quarter of 2010 and up 1.32% compared to the first quarter…

Arkansas Income Up 4.8% In Second Quarter

Personal income in Arkansas during the second quarter of 2011 was $99.649 billion, up 4.82% compared to the second quarter of 2010 and up 1.32% compared to the first quarter of 2011.

IEC director job, entity expectations discussed

Qualifications for a director, organizational expectations and incubator options were the focus of a Tuesday meeting (Sept. 20) that is part of a series of meetings focused on restarting the…

Fort Smith chamber surveys members on 1% tax vote

The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce pushed an electronic survey out its membership on Tuesday asking for their thoughts about the Fort Smith Convention Center and a proposed 1%…

Top ABF management change announced

Wes Kemp, president and CEO of Fort Smith-based ABF Freight System, will retire Dec. 31, ending an almost 43-year career with the less-than-truckload operator that has included significant company growth and tough economic times. [Wes Kemp, ABF]

Wal-mart To Broaden Its Solar Power Program

The world’s largest retailer announced Wednesday (Sept. 21) that it plans to install solar panels on 60 additional stores in California, which would place solar panels on 75% of the company’s retail stores in the state.

Clean & Green: Get Your Move On By Going Green

Every day, untold amounts of cardboard boxes are used when families move.

Arkansas Best Announces Management Changes

Critical decisions require critical self-reflection

Business owners often need to step out of their comfort zones to overcome any fear that may be at the root of procrastinating on a decision.

Weather was perfect for Van Buren Chamber golf classic

The event included 20 teams and helped raise money for the chamber’s education scholarship programs.

Northwest Arkansas ‘state Of The Region’ Report Released

Education attainment and university research funding were the weak areas in a Northwest Arkansas economy that continues to perform well despite state and national economic conditions, according to a new report released Tuesday.

The Consumer Compass Report: Regional sentiment hits new lows

The fifth edition of The Consumer Compass Report shows a drop in confidence with respect to personal finances and the overall economy — a finding that should come as no…

Manufacturing jobs reach state, national lows

story by Roby Brock and Michael Tilley [email protected] Arkansas has witnessed a disturbing decline in manufacturing employment for decades, but the latest state jobless report depicts a new milestone. According…

Officials Remember Late Economic Development Director

Arkansas economic leaders paid tribute to Maria Haley, Gov. Mike Beebe’s director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission who died last week of a brain aneurysm.