Business

Your business Web site must be actively managed

Stockman says a Web site must be built so that it is dynamic and captures traffic.

C. Bean Transport headed for closure? (Updated)

It’s likely the future of C. Bean Transport operations in Fort Smith will be more clear by early next week. Updated info: Bell Receivers, the company charged by the federal…

Bubba has a $5,000 pigeon. It’s a racer

story and photos by Marla Cantrell [email protected] Bubba Wilson needed a hobby when he retired. He golfed, but it wasn’t something he wanted to do every day, so he kept…

Government jobs now 19% of Arkansas workforce

A new report at TalkBusiness.net sheds light on the fact that government jobs are now more than 19% of total nonfarm employment in Arkansas. The January report also shows a…

Regional bankruptcies and incorporations

Following are recent bankruptcy and incorporation filings from Crawford, Franklin, Logan and Sebastian counties. The information is provided by The Daily Record. a Little Rock-based news and legal information publisher….

Area hospitality sector slow in January

There is some hope that the national and local hospitality industry will see improving conditions in 2010. Don’t base that hope on January results. January tax receipts in Van Buren…

HMA to invest $20 million in Sparks Health System

When executives with Health Management Associates said they planned to invest in facility and service improvements at Sparks Health System, they meant it. Sparks CEO Melody Trimble has confirmed that…

OG&E seeks $13.3 million line upgrade between Ozark, Clarksville

OG&E is asking the Arkansas Public Service commission to approve the construction of a 161KV transmission line and upgrade certain power facilities between Ozark and Clarksville. The more than $13.334…

Shale mining, I-49 dominate Chaffee meeting

story and photo by Marla Cantrell [email protected] There’s a hell of a lot of shale at Chaffee Crossing — more than $1 million dollar’s worth. Two companies, C. Watts and…

Tyson Foods receives upbeat debt rating review

Executives with Springdale-based Tyson Foods Inc. who recently predicted financial improvements in 2010 were afforded a favorable second opinion Tuesday (Mar. 9) from Fitch Ratings. Chicago-based Fitch rated Tyson Foods’…

Management often more critical than finance

Stockman says entrepreneurs must take an honest look at their strengths and weaknesses.

Regional building activity off to a slow start

Building activity in the Fort Smith area doesn’t yet support expectations and/or hopes that 2010 will be better than 2009. The value of permits issued by Fort Smith during January…

U.S. jobless rate stands at 9.7%; ‘discouraged worker’ levels increase

The U.S. economy lost 36,000 jobs in February and the national unemployment rate held steady at 9.7% with the number of unemployed persons unchanged at 14.9 million, according to a…

Traffic levels fall at Fort Smith Regional Airport

Enplanements at the Fort Smith Regional Airport for the first two months of 2010 total 10,751, down 2% from the same period in 2009. Unfortunately, the total enplanements in 2009…

High-profile insurance investigation has Fort Smith connection (Updated)

Editor’s note: See updated comments from Steve Standridge Insurance at the end of the story. An investigation by Arkansas officials against insurance company owner Steve Standridge could reach JMR/PFP Insurance…

Regional bankruptcies and incorporations

Ozark business, civic leaders not happy with good enough

story by Michael Tilley [email protected] Craig Ferguson, the Scotland native who hosts The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, cracks blue and cutting jokes about presidents, popes and pretty much…

State revenue collections continued downward trend

Total tax collections in Arkansas continued to decline in February, with the rate of decline higher than that seen in January. Year-to-date (July 2009-Feburary 2010) gross revenues totaled $3.467 billion,…

Businesses need to get smart about social media

Stockman says Facebook, Twitter and other Internet-based outlets are inexpensive and effective methods to reach new customers.

Kentucky firm expanding to Fort Smith, adding up to 15 jobs

Louisville, Ky.-based Metal Sales Manufacturing Corp. is planning to invest $4.1 million and create up to 15 jobs at the former Indiana Tube operation at 7510 Ball Road in Fort…