Business

Tax reform leaves nonprofits with ‘tsunami’ of challenges

As U.S. corporations and businesses reap benefits from the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 in December, state and national nonprofits across Arkansas are still trying…

Real politics of a fake sport: The history of ‘Nationality, Race and Gender’ in professional wrestling

When Dr. Edward Salo was growing up he loved to watch professional wrestling. During the 1980s the World Wrestling Federation, now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), became the dominant wrestling company….

XNA among 4 Arkansas airports to receive nearly $21 million in federal funding

Four Arkansas airports will receive $20.96 million in federal grants, with $13.61 million of the money allocated to repair the taxiway at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) in Highfill. On…

Northwest Arkansas not expected to receive INFRA grant to complete I-49 gap

Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission is not expected to receive funding from a federal grant program that would have provided the money to complete an 18.9-mile segment of Interstate 49,…

Established logistics companies leading technology gains; analyst puts a ‘hold’ on J.B. Hunt

Logistics companies generate the highest financial return across the transportation industry, and many of these companies are leaders in the development of technology and algorithms as startups look to enter…

Walmart execs say the retailer will ‘go hard’ on connecting e-commerce with stores

Walmart executives talk often about “frictionless shopping.” Greg Foran, CEO of Walmart U.S., and Marc Lore, CEO of Walmart U.S. eCommerce, recently told the media the retailer will be more…

Then & Now: Kurt Gibbons shifts from soda to tech

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following story appeared in the May 28 issue of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. “Then & Now” is a profile of a past member of the Business Journal’s…

Purchasing Managers Index up again in May

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) has released its monthly Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for May, and the story told is another positive one with the PMI at 58.7% —…

Applied Process Fort Smith facility approved for ‘tax back’ program

On Tuesday (June 5), the Fort Smith Board of Directors approved a resolution supporting Applied Process Fort Smith, LLC’s entry into the state “Tax Back” program authorized by the Consolidated…

Jonesboro city leaders hope to build an interactive museum downtown

For generations, a railroad roundhouse lured locomotives to downtown Jonesboro, and now city officials hope the same building might become a keystone attraction in the area. City officials are drafting…

Technology sector leaders discuss topics, trends and what’s next

In early May, Northwest Arkansas Business Journal editor Paul Gatling moderated a roundtable discussion in the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio at Fayetteville radio station KUAF 91.3 FM. The topic? Technology. Participants…

FBT Bank & Mortgage announces expansion of Jefferson County team

FBT Bank & Mortgage (FBT) has added to its banking team in Jefferson County with the hiring of Joni Alexander, Ricky Ferguson and Shannon Robinson. Alexander will direct outreach efforts…

Analyst sees new federal guidance on personal conveyance as a ‘non-event’

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released guidance on drivers who operate commercial vehicles while off duty, and in an industry note, analyst Brad Delco and associate Scott…

Arkansas Supreme Court hears arguments on state’s stalled medical pot industry

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday (June 7) heard testimony on the state’s expedited appeal of a Pulaski County Circuit Court decision to block the medical marijuana cultivation licenses handed…

The Supply Side: Suppliers’ presence in Northwest Arkansas created real estate boom

When executive recruiter Cameron Smith first “hung out his shingle” in Northwest Arkansas in 1994, he said 48 Walmart supplier companies had offices in the area. Many of those teams…

Statements of financial disclosures posted on city candidates; ballot positions set

Statements of financial disclosures are now available for the eight Fort Smith office candidates, and the city announced ballot positions based on a draw held by the Sebastian County Board…

Susan Long promoted to dean of UAMS College of Health Professions

Susan Long, a longtime educator and administrator, has been named dean of the College of Health Professions at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock. Long,…

Northeast Arkansas travel and tourism tax revenue a mixed bag in 2017

The travel and tourism industry in Northeast Arkansas sent mixed signals in 2017, with the state’s 2% tourism tax posting gains in most of the key counties, but Jonesboro hotel…

Arkansas Federal Credit Union announces two leadership hires

Jad Malek, who spent 16 years with Wells Fargo Bank, most recently as regional banking area president for Utah, has been named vice president of retail operations for Arkansas Federal…

Households with multiple vehicles travel more with primary vehicle

U.S. households with more vehicles travel more and put more miles on their primary vehicle compared to households with less vehicles, according to the Federal Highway Administration’s National Household Travel…