Business

Tax-referendum petition ‘close to 2,000’ signatures

With about 10 days to collect signatures forcing an election on enactment of a 1% prepared food tax in Fort Smith, Eddie York says a group of restaurant owners may…

Arkansas, U.S. nuke plants under scrutiny; natgas benefit?

The operator of the nuclear power plant in Russellville (Arkansas) says its plants are safe, but the utility company may run into trouble relicensing nuclear power plants in the Northeast…

Public relations is important for businesses large and small

Responding quickly and effectively can turn potentially damaging news into a business opportunity.

Area hospitality tax collections up in January

Hospitality tax collections in Fort Smith and Van Buren were up during January despite the snow and cold. January hospitality tax collections in Van Buren totaled $28,016, up 1.1% compared…

Wal-mart Donates $5 Million To Japanese Disaster Relief

Wal-Mart announced an initial commitment of $5 million in cash and in-kind donations for emergency relief efforts in response to the earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan.

Nuclear Power Under Scrutiny; Nat Gas Could Benefit

The operator of the nuclear power plant in Russellville (Arkansas) says its plants are safe, but the utility company may run into trouble relicensing nuclear power plants in the Northeast U.S. because of the nuclear plant crisis in Japan.

Small Business Stats Show Minority, Women Growth

A new state profile of small business statistics shows that Arkansas small businesses shrunk in 2008 while the number of women-owned and minority-owned business grew, according to the latest figures available.

Fort Smith enplanements up in February

The trend of enplanement gains at the Fort Smith Regional Airport that began in June 2010 continued into February with a 1.8% increase in the number of travelers. For the…

Area foreclosure actions down 39% in February

Foreclosure actions in the Fort Smith area fell more than 39% in February, but the head of the company tracking the national figures says paperwork problems may have more to…

Pelphrey Dismissed As Ua Basketball Coach

John Pelphrey was dismissed as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas on Sunday after a tumultuous 4 seasons in the position.

Clean & Green: Homebuilders See Growth Through Environmental Edge

For nearly 60 years, the Home Builders Association of Greater Little Rock has sponsored an annual home show. In the last three years, a rocky economy has brought its fair share of challenges to the industry.

Wal-Mart builds small stores; supports Internet tax law changes

Editor’s note: Roby Brock, with our content partner Talk Business, wrote this report. He can be reached at [email protected] These are busy days for the world’s largest retailer. Wal-Mart Stores…

Gas exec says severance tax wrong for Arkansas

Southwestern Energy Executive Vice-president and General Counsel Mark Boling says his greatest concern in Arkansas isn’t tougher regulation. It’s a higher cost of doing business. "The attempt to increase the…

Southland, Oaklawn Demolish Egs Wager Records

Throw out the history books in Arkansas’ relatively short era of electronic games of skill (EGS) at its two racing parks – Southland and Oaklawn.

Golden Living exec: Travel, not talent, pushed Dallas move

Neil Kurtz wants to make it clear that recruiting executive talent to the Fort Smith area is not a problem, and IS NOT why Golden Living is moving its corporate…

Golden Living confirms HQ move to Dallas

Golden Living announced today (Mar. 10) at 2 p.m. three “key initiatives” that include moving the company’s headquarters from Fort Smith to Dallas and the possibility of increasing the number…

Arkansas jobless rate dips to 7.8% in January (updated)

Continued small increases in the number of employed in Arkansas helped push the preliminary January unemployment rate down to 7.8%, compared to 7.9% in December and 8% in January 2010….

Energy forecasters predict even higher prices

Arkansas diesel prices are $1 higher than a year ago, while retail gasoline prices have risen for the sixth straight week, according to the U.S. Energy Department’s weekly energy report….

Golden Living may move execs to Dallas

Golden Living is expected to publicly announce Thursday (Mar. 10) that the company will locate its corporate headquarters operation in Plano, Texas, but keep 500 —possibly more — employees at…

Downtown development bill passes House

After receiving a 93-0 vote of approval in the Arkansas House of Representatives, a bill to provide tax incentives for new development and renovation in downtown improvement districts now heads…