Business

Pernod Ricard gearing up to produce hand sanitizer

The Pernod Ricard plant in Fort Smith is one of four company plants gearing up to produce and donate hand sanitizer to help in the national fight against the COVID-19…

Milestone noted in expansion of Aerojet Rocketdyne plant in Camden

A large steel casting bell used to help build large solid rocket motors for the Atlas V rocket has been installed in Aerojet Rocketdyne’s plant in Camden. The bell, relocated…

Arkansas Blue Cross and Health Advantage boost remotely delivered care, including mental health

Health insurance provider Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its affiliate Health Advantage announced a plan Thursday (March 19) to give fully insured members expanded health insurance benefits to…

Arkansas restaurants allowed to sell beer and wine for off-site consumption; no mixed drinks

The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control on Thursday (March 19) issued a rule allowing restaurants and microbrewery restaurants to sell beer and wine for off-site consumption with the purchase of food….

Tyson Foods makes processing shift amid coronavirus demands

Dean Banks, president of Springdale-based Tyson Foods, is getting baptized by fire in his new role. He first faced supply chain hitches as the coronavirus unfolded in China. Banks was…

Central Research acquires technology company Global Emergency Response

Lowell-based Central Research Inc., a provider of management and financial services for government and commercial sectors, announced Thursday (March 19) the purchase of Global Emergency Response Inc., a software and…

Northwest Arkansas healthcare providers issue collective update on COVID-19 measures, testing policies

Northwest Arkansas’ regional healthcare providers issued a joint news release Wednesday (March 17) following the disclosure of the region’s first COVID-19 (coronavirus) case. “Our regional healthcare providers and state agencies…

Walmart to again reduce stores hours, will temporarily close auto services

Walmart announced late Wednesday (March 18) it will begin reducing store hours from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily in order to allow employees more time to clean and restock…

NanoMech to settle bankruptcy case, clear former CEO of wrongdoing

The bankruptcy case of Springdale-based nanotechnology manufacturer NanoMech Inc. looks to be coming to a close with a settlement that will clear its former CEO of financial wrongdoing, according to…

Agriculture sector faces worker shortages as planting season begins due to COVID-19

Farm incomes have dropped 50% during the last eight years and a hodgepodge of factors have contributed. Lower commodity prices, trade wars and erratic weather have hurt farm profitability in…

Hotlines set up for COVID-19 questions, Baptist Health and Mercy limit visitation

Fort Smith metro residents with questions about the COVID-19 pandemic can call Baptist Health’s free hotline at (479) 709-6845 for information. A separate regional hotline may be available as early…

Pesticide training and certification classes move online

Statewide training and certification for private pesticide applicators from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is now available online to help keep farmers on schedule as the planting…

Arkansas to direct at least $16 million for businesses impacted by COVID-19

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Wednesday (March 18) at least $16 million is being directed to help Arkansas businesses remain open during the economic challenges resulting from COVID-19. The U.S. Centers…

Coronavirus cases in Arkansas rise from 22 to 37 (UPDATED)

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the number of COVID-19 cases in Arkansas has risen from 22 to 33 people from Tuesday to Wednesday (March 18). By nightfall, the number had risen…

Banks asking customers to not enter banks, but stress that services remain available

The Arkansas Bankers Association is asking bank customers to use drive-thru and ATM’s as many banks in the state begin to close or limit facilities to walk-in traffic as a…

Topgolf closes U.S. venues; postpones grand opening in Rogers

Topgolf, the Dallas-based entertainment company, has postponed the grand opening of its venue in Rogers, and shuttered all 54 U.S. venues until further notice. The company had planned to open…

Industrial production, manufacturing output increased less than 1% in February

Industrial production rose 0.6% in February after declining 0.5% in January, according to the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve recently released data on industrial production and capacity use for February….

Walmart, Walmart Foundation commit $25 million to support COVID-19 response

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation will donate $25 million to support organizations on the front lines responding to the global coronavirus outbreak. In an announcement Monday night (March 17), the…

Coronavirus testing bottleneck unclogging in Arkansas

While testing for COVID-19 continues to be a major necessity for Gov. Asa Hutchinson to assess Arkansas’ response to the coronavirus crisis, there is progress being made on the front….

Fort Smith board votes for ‘electronic means’ meetings, supports entertainment districts

Fort Smith city directors passed an ordinance at the board’s regular meeting Tuesday (March 17) that will allow members of the board to attend meetings by electronic means through June…