Business

On the real estate horizon

Over the past 12 months, everything changed, for everyone. “Business as usual” no longer applied, and as the shock began to subside last summer, the question started seeping into conversations….

Arkansas’ February jobless rate falls to 4.5%, but job numbers decline

Arkansas’ jobless rate in February was 4.5%, down from 4.6% in January and below the 3.8% in February 2020. The slight decline in Arkansas’ jobless rate in February was the…

Supha Xayprasith-Mays to seek Democratic nomination for governor in 2022

Businesswoman and civic leader Supha Xayprasith-Mays (pronounced Sai-Pri-Sith-Maze) will seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2022. She announced her intentions to run Friday (March 26). “I am running for…

Lumber equipment manufacturer expanding in Hot Springs

FiberPro, a state-of-the-art design and next-generation technology manufacturing of custom log and lumber equipment, announced Friday (March 26) it will expand its manufacturing facility in Hot Springs. The company plans…

Tyson Foods borrows $500 million to refinance debt

Tyson Foods said it borrowed $500 million in a new term loan agreement with lenders led by Bank of America. Of that, $250 million will be used to refinance outstanding…

Arvest Wealth Management tops $14 billion in AUM

Arvest Wealth Management (AWM), a subsidiary of Fayetteville-chartered Arvest Bank, had $14.4 billion in assets under management at the end of 2020. That’s up from more than $13 billion at…

Circle of Life Hospice receives $3 million gift

Springdale-based nonprofit Circle of Life Hospice announced Wednesday (March 24) a $3 million gift from the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation in memory of Willard and Pat Walker. The…

Kantar: Walmart holds its spot as largest global retailer

Walmart is still king of the hill in terms of being the largest global retailer by revenue and impact on retail around the world. Kantar released its annual ranking of…

Walmart sells more of its minority interest in Brazil

French retailer Carrefour will acquire Grupo BIG Brasil from Advent International and Walmart who still own a small interest in the retail business. The deal is valued at $1.26 billion…

River Valley Film Society adds programs with Arvest donation

Arvest Bank announced Thursday (March 25) it would sponsor the inaugural Fort Smith International Film Festival and gave a $10,000 charitable gift to the River Valley Film Society, the nonprofit…

New data platform uses QR code to help recruits

A Fayetteville inventor is marketing a new online data platform designed for student-athletes. Wayne Woolsey is the co-founder of QR Recruiter. Woolsey intends for the data platform to speed up…

Connections: Springdale chamber hires Travis Feltner in communications role

Travis Feltner has been named director of communications of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce. Feltner, a 2007 graduate of the University of Arkansas, earned his Master of Arts in journalism…

Little Rock tourism office posts 2020 annual report

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought travel around the world to sudden standstill. In the months prior, the year looked to be on track for a record-setting one in…

The Supply Side: New profit centers fuel Walmart’s new flywheel business

Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon recently revealed a new “flywheel” model to the investment community, saying it’s the old productivity loop with the customer at the center but with…

‘Centers of Excellence’ workforce initiative launched

The Arkansas Department of Commerce has launched a new initiative to designate high-achieving state college workforce training programs that meet specific regional workforce needs in high-demand fields as “Centers of…

Early soybean and corn planting set to begin

Anecdotal reports from growers across Arkansas indicate corn producers are eager to take advantage of clear weather as it occurs. Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the…

Georgia insurance firms, one with North Little Rock office, announce merger

Georgia insurance companies Sterling Seacrest Partners Inc. and Pritchard & Jerden are planning to merge and form Sterling Seacrest Pritchard. The deal takes effect on April 1, 2021. The newly…

Fort Smith school board president to face an opponent in re-election bid

Only one of the three seats up for election in the May 18 school elections for Fort Smith Public Schools is opposed. Positions held by FSPS school board members Bill…

Northwest Arkansas sales tax revenue jumps 18% on January sales

The four largest cities in Northwest Arkansas report a 18.14% jump in sales tax revenue on January sales. Cumulative revenue rose to $6.705 million in the March report, the strongest…

Cold weather may impact cattle breeding this spring

Record cold weather just prior to the start of spring could have a significant impact on the number of cattle produced during 2021. Cattle breeding experts with the University of…