Business

The sound of business

It had been nearly 50 years since I’d spent any time in northern Alabama before a brief trip there last week. I was interested to see not only what had…

Pod Squad: Jonesboro-based insurance business turns to podcast for promotion

Tyler Watkins studied marketing in college, but when he graduated he couldn’t find a marketing job that suited him. He spent several years working in physical therapy, while his wife,…

Walmart to acquire telehealth provider MeMD

Walmart is acquiring a telehealth provider MeMD, based in Phoenix for an undisclosed amount. The platform leverages data and technology in an effort to improve engagement, health equity and outcomes, the…

Market watchers predict improved second-quarter earnings for Tyson Foods

Higher beef margins and an improving chicken segment from strong consumer demand are the catalysts expected to push Tyson Foods’ second quarter earnings 45% higher from a year ago, according…

UAFS plans to open business support hub in downtown Fort Smith by Nov. 1

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith plans to have its hub of economic development up and running at The Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith by Nov. 1. The…

Pellet production group to invest $40 million in three Arkansas plants

Drax Group announced Thursday (May 6) it will begin constructing the first of three new “satellite” pellet plants in Arkansas. Drax Group is a worldwide sustainable biomass production and supply…

Citizens Bank chosen as SBA bank of the year, adds Russ Harrington to board

Citizens Bank, headquartered in Batesville, has been recognized as the Bank of the Year in category two by the Arkansas District Office of the Small Business Administration. The bank also…

Waller reappointed to 2nd term as Walton College dean

Matt Waller, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, has been reappointed for a second five-year term by Charles Robinson, provost and executive…

AG Rutledge gets $2.6 million judgment against Bentonville timeshare exit firm

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced Wednesday (May 5) a $2.6 million judgment against Real Travel, LLC, and the company’s founder Brian Scroggs. Real Travel, the now-defunct Bentonville-based company, through…

UA Little Rock professors receive grant to examine Muslim hate crimes in Arkansas

Two criminal justice professors at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock have been awarded a $324,987 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund a three-year program to…

Arkansas State University receives $6.4 million Windgate Foundation grant for arts education

Arkansas State University has received a $6.4 million grant from the Windgate Foundation to support arts education and to provide direct assistance to students through needs-based scholarships, Chancellor Kelly Damphousse…

Fort Smith metro building permits see big rebound in April

The Fort Smith metro area’s three biggest cities had $68.728 million in April building permits, a 245.7% jump from the $19.879 million in March building activity. The April total was…

FNBC expands in Jonesboro

FNBC, based in Sharp County since 1912, opened a major Jonesboro facility on Wednesday (May 5). The 5,800 square-foot building at the intersection of Race Street and Fair Park Boulevard…

Centennial Bank names Orr to head trust division

Kevin Orr has been hired as senior vice president trust manager of Centennial Bank according to Davy Carter, Regional President of Centennial Bank. Orr has over 23 years of experience…

Tyson Foods to donate 1 million meals to Northwest Arkansas school districts

Springdale-based Tyson Foods is giving 240,000 pounds of food to the five largest school districts in Northwest Arkansas. This is the equivalent of one million meals to be delivered to…

Economists are bullish on strong economic rebound this summer

The U.S. economy is poised for its fastest growth in more than three decades as more businesses are reopening and bringing employees back to work, according to Jack Kleinhenz, chief…

First National Bank of Paragould acquires Tennessee bank

Paragould-based First National Bank will expand into the Nashville, Tennessee market after signing a definitive agreement to acquire Citizens Bank. Citizens Bank is based in Hartsville, Tennessee and operates three locations…

Art installation, collaboration program emerge from UAFS Community Leadership program

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith students engaged in an upper level leadership class that works to develop community improvement didn’t just come up with ideas to benefit the region,…

ASU’s ‘Day of Giving’ nets more than $1 million in gifts and pledges

Arkansas State University’s inaugural Day of Giving raised more than $1 million in gifts and pledges to support the university, Chancellor Kelly Damphousse said. Held April 27, the event totaled…

CACHE panel considers reopening venues safely; Northwest Arkansas joins nationwide initiative

A lot of unknowns remain on how to reopen event venues safely, but some have started to reopen in Arkansas or are looking to do so soon, panelists said. Northwest…

Payment rates, timeline progressing on $12 billion farmer aid package

Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives elects new leaders

Arkansas Children’s CEO describes $50M historic gift origins, goals

UAMS receives $3.18 million grant for REAL Deal program