Business

McDonald’s to invest $69 million in Arkansas to modernize stores

McDonald’s on Tuesday (Aug. 14) announced plans to invest $69 million in 100 of the more than 170 stores in Arkansas by 2019. The work is part of a $6…

Farm income to slide further in second half of 2018 amid Trump tariffs

As other segments of the state and regional economy are expected to continue heating up in the second half of 2018, agriculture income and farmland values will continue to decline…

Ouachita Baptist University sets fundraising record

Ouachita Baptist University set a record for private donations raised in the 2017-2018 academic year. The Arkadelphia-based private school said it raised $17.2 million last year, more than $1 million…

NRF: Harps, Murphy USA among top 100 ‘hot retailers.’ Walmart not on the list

Two Arkansas-based retailers – Harps Foods of Springdale and Murphy USA of El Dorado – ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing retail companies by year-over-year domestic sales growth, according to the…

PR legend Ron Robinson dies at 75

Legendary public relations executive Ron Robinson has died at the age of 75. Robinson had a long, storied career in Arkansas business circles, and came to prominence during his affiliation…

Walton group organizing invitation-only summit in Bentonville

Walton Family Foundation (WFF), the Bentonville-based philanthropic organization started 30 years ago by Walmart founders Sam and Helen Walton, is planning an exclusive event Oct. 18-21 in Bentonville. The goal…

Arkansas Environmental Federation hires new executive director

Little Rock nonprofit Arkansas Environmental Federation (AEF) announced Tuesday (Aug. 14) that Ava Franks Roberts has been chosen as its new executive director, effective Aug. 27. Roberts will replace Charles…

Domtar Corp. to move new manager to Ashdown plant

Pulp and paper mill giant Domtar Corp. has named Allan Bohn as the new manager of the company’s Ashdown plant. He will replace Bob Grygotis, who is retiring as general…

Walmart expected to report 12.9% growth in second quarter earnings

Wall Street is bullish on Walmart and expects double-digit earnings growth of 12.9% when the retail giant reports its fiscal second quarter results on Thursday (Aug. 16) ahead of the…

Searcy man develops patented device to aid duck hunters

Some of Mark Wilson’s fondest memories of his childhood involve him, his father, and countless hours of duck hunting in rural Arkansas. Part of duck hunting is setting duck decoys,…

Little Rock’s BSR REIT posts profit of $6.7 million in first quarter as public company

In its first go-around as a publicly traded company, Little Rock-based BSR REIT booked a second quarter profit of $6.7 million nearly 45 days after the company completed its initial…

UA researchers to study means to fight antibiotic-resistant infections

University of Arkansas researchers will use a $498,983 grant from the National Science Foundation to study the anti-microbial mechanisms of silver nanoparticles to find ways they could be used to…

BSR REIT joins Arkansas’ list of publicly traded concerns, ‘goes public’ through Canada

Arkansas’ newest publicly traded company is probably not one that would immediately come to mind. However, Little Rock-based BSR Real Estate Investment Trust recently took the unusual step of conducting…

‘The Unexpected’ returns to Fort Smith on Oct. 22, lineup and events to be determined

The Unexpected art mural project will be held during the last third of the year, according to 64.6 Downtown. The group — a nonprofit funded and created by Propak owner…

Howard selected as FNBC community bank president for Independence County

Ryan Howard, the FNBC community bank president for Izard County, will also assume the role of community president for Independence County, according to FNBC Regional President Chad Hudson. “Ryan is…

Generations Bank to build first branch in Bentonville

Generations Bank is planning to build a new branch location on Southwest I Street in Bentonville, near the entrance to the Bentonville Community Center. In July, the bank completed a…

Refinery inputs hit four-week record high

The four-week average of U.S. gross refinery inputs surpassed 18 million barrels per day for the first time, for the week ending July 6, 2018, according to the U.S. Energy…

Banker Allison on ASU, tax cuts, jump-starting his stock price

Jonesboro native Johnny Allison is chairman of the board for Home BancShares, parent company of Centennial Bank. The Conway-based bank has the largest market share in the Jonesboro metro market…

Don’t bet on it: Impact in Arkansas of legalized sports gambling unclear

Southeastern Conference football has become increasingly like the NFL in the past couple decades. But there remain significant differences — not least of which is the widespread notion the college…

The Supply Side: Family recipe launches Simkins Brothers’ Sweets

Fayetteville brothers Austin and Quinn Simkins believe a family recipe handed down for four generations is their key to a national business. At ages 8 and 4, their grandmother began…

Barr to receive 2026 Jack White Community Leadership Award

AACF report: Medicaid red tape a barrier; navigators can help

Fort Smith may seek state grant money for water, sewer system work

Arkansas poultry companies reach $44 million settlement with Oklahoma