Business

Secretary of State: Anti-LEARNS Act effort falls 978 signatures short

The group attempting to advance a referendum to repeal the LEARNS Act fell at least 978 signatures short in its effort, Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston said in a…

State of the State Mid-Year 2023: Retailers anticipate slow, but positive growth

Editor’s note: The State of the State series provides reports twice a year on Arkansas’ key economic sectors. The series publishes stories to begin a year and stories in July/August…

Leadership change announced at Weldon, Williams and Lick

Tracey Geren, president and CEO of Fort Smith-based Weldon, Williams and Lick (WWL), will retire in 2024 after 38 years with the company. Ron Wilson has been named company president…

Tyson Foods’ third-quarter net income expected to drop 86%

It’s another down cycle for Tyson Foods. The Springdale-based meat giant is expected Aug. 7 to report a third fiscal quarter net income of $95.3 million, well below the consensus…

ADFA awarded $75 million in federal tax credits to create low income housing

The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) recently awarded more than $75 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) that will generate approximately $64 million in equity. The LIHTC were…

Ritter Communications to begin $3.5 million RightFiber project in Marion

Ritter Communications announced Thursday (Aug. 3) a $3.5 million investment that brings RightFiber services to select neighborhoods in Marion, Ark. The service uses 100% fiber optic technology to deliver reliable…

Fort Smith metro building permit numbers decline in July, up 30% for the year

Construction slowed in the Fort Smith metro area in July but year-to-date numbers are still much higher than those in 2022. Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren combined for $26.564…

State of the State Mid-Year 2023: Transportation industry manages soft demand, uncertainty

Editor’s note: The State of the State series provides reports twice a year on Arkansas’ key economic sectors. The series publishes stories to begin a year and stories in July/August…

Gov. Sanders names DFA Secretary Larry Walther as Treasurer

Gov. Sarah Sanders on Thursday (Aug. 3) appointed Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Secretary Larry Walther to fill out the term of the late Treasurer of State Mark…

UAMS Northwest receives major boost with $250K gift from Johnelle Hunt

Billionaire developer and philanthropist Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., has pledged $250,000 to establish the Hunt Family Fund for Excellence at the University of Arkansas for…

Fort Smith film fest signs deal with Beverly Hills-based distribution company

The Fort Smith International Film Festival has taken a step up, growing from a festival into a film market thanks to a partnership with Porter + Craig Film and Media…

Murphy USA profits slide in second quarter compared to year ago

Murphy USA reported second quarter net income of $132.8 million, a decline from $183.3 million one year ago. Second quarter revenue for the El Dorado-based gas and convenience store operator was…

Walton Family Foundation supports new K-12 entrepreneurship initiative

A Cleveland-based entrepreneurship education and experiences organization for K-12 students is expanding into Northwest Arkansas after receiving more than $1.21 million from the Walton Family Foundation, according to a Wednesday…

Hybar breaks ground on $700 million rebar mill in Osceola

A newly formed company, Hybar, has started construction on its scrap metal recycling steel rebar mill project. The mill is being built on a 1,300-acre site in Osceola. The $700…

India’s banned rice exports could bolster prices for U.S. growers

A ban on white, non-basmati rice exports by India could bolster prices for American rice farmers, said Alvaro Durand-Morat, associate professor and agricultural economist for the University of Arkansas System…

Arkansas tax revenue up 4.5% to begin new fiscal year

Arkansas began the new fiscal year with total tax revenue of $643.3 million in July, up 4.5% compared with July 2022 and 3.5% above the budget forecast, according to a…

State of the State Mid-Year 2023: Unwinding of the health care system

Editor’s note: The State of the State series provides reports twice a year on Arkansas’ key economic sectors. The series publishes stories to begin a year and stories in July/August…

Walmart follows Amazon with discounted subscription costs for SNAP customers

Cutbacks in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, this past spring has retailers offering discounted subscription costs for households seeing reduced…

HanesBrands to close Clarksville hosiery plant at end of September

HanesBrands has confirmed it is closing its hosiery production plant in Clarksville at the end of September. The move shutters a plant that once employed at least 570 in the…

Haas Hall set to open Fort Smith campus with 125-150 students

Haas Hall Academy will open the newest high school Aug. 10 on the fourth floor of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) Research Institute Health and Wellness Center in…