Business

ATA asks U.S. legislators to support tax reform, trucking jobs flat in October

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, urged U.S. legislators to support the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as for-hire trucking employment rose by 13,100 jobs in…

Arkansas/Missouri Connector could open in 2022 if commission receives grant

An 18.9-mile segment of Interstate 49, between Arkansas and Missouri, is expected to be completed in 2021 and could open in 2022 if the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission receives…

USDA loans three Arkansas electric co-ops nearly $90 million for rural power projects

Three Arkansas electric cooperatives will receive nearly $90 million in loans as part of more than $2.5 billion in loan awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve rural…

‘Now is the time’ for Arkansas employers to set internal policy on medical marijuana, attorney says

Arkansas employers are running out of prep time before medical marijuana becomes available, so it’s crucial to begin now defining internal policies and procedures, said Little Rock attorney J. Bruce…

ArcBest income up 22.5% in third quarter, up 43.4% year-to-date

Improving margins by shedding unprofitable accounts and a better freight market helped ArcBest beat third-quarter earnings expectations. The company missed on the revenue estimate and Stifel analysts put a hold…

USA Truck rejoins ATA, class 8 truck orders rise

USA Truck has rejoined trade organization American Trucking Associations as big rig orders jump 160%. The ATA announced the Van Buren-based carrier as its newest member Friday (Nov. 3). “USA…

Gov. Hutchinson: Far East visit strengthens Arkansas trade

As Gov. Asa Hutchinson looks to wrap up the last leg of a fruitful eight-day Far East trade mission, the state’s chief job recruiter said Friday (Nov. 3) he is…

U.S. unemployment rate dips to 4.1%, 261,000 new jobs added to payrolls

The nation’s jobless rate in October was 4.1%, down from 4.2% in September as 261,000 new positions were added to payrolls, largely offsetting last month’s decline that largely reflected the…

EIA projects energy use differences based on electric vehicle acceptance

Global sales of plug-in electric vehicles, including hybrid and battery electric vehicles, rose to 1.2 million in 2015, but only 1% of all vehicles in use worldwide are electric vehicles,…

Arkansas Energy Report: U.S. crude oil exports tops 2 billion barrels, hits all-time high

Editor’s Note: The Arkansas Energy Report is produced monthly and is sponsored by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas, and MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator). Talk Business & Politics makes…

Sears to close stores in Fayetteville, Fort Smith

Sears Holdings announced Thursday (Nov. 2) plans to close another 63 Sears and Kmart stores by late January. On the chopping block are flagship stores in Central Mall of Fort…

Finalists prep for the annual ASU business plan competition

At least 26 competitors will participate in different categories during the finals of the 2017 Arkansas State University Fall Business Plan competition. Seven finalists will compete in oral presentation, 11…

J.B. Hunt exec seeks to develop relationships, be accessible to co-workers

J.B. Hunt executive Shelley Simpson earned $7.25 an hour when she started at the Lowell-based carrier after graduating from the University of Arkansas with a marketing degree in 1994. She…

USA Truck posts first positive quarter of 2017, revenue up 8.3%

Gains in revenue per mile were partially offset by rising driver costs during the third quarter, but USA Truck was able to post its first positive quarter for the year…

Banking professor, officers expect no major changes with new Fed Chair

The new boss will be the same as the old boss. That’s the consensus of bankers and industry watchers who responded to Talk Business & Politics about the nomination of…

Arkansas tax revenue up 1.4% on strength of individual income tax collections

Fiscal year-to-date (July to October) total tax collections in Arkansas reached $2.079 billion, up 1.4% compared to the same period last year. Sales tax revenue, a sign of consumer and…

Tyson family gives $1.5 million gift to Pryor Center for digitization of KATV news archives

The David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History has received a $1.5 million gift from Barbara A. Tyson and the Tyson Foods Foundation to fund the…

FOMC leaves federal fund rate unchanged as hurricanes disrupt economy

The Federal Open Market Committee decided to maintain the existing federal funds rate of 1% to 1.25% and believes the monetary policy is accommodative and supports improvements in the labor…

University of Arkansas only campus nationwide with UPS package locker

A UPS package locker at the University of Arkansas offers 24-hour access for package pickup and serves as a teaching tool for students and faculty in the supply chain management…

48 Cooper Clinic doctors now part of Mercy Clinic-Fort Smith

The deal is done in which the almost 100-year old Fort Smith-based Cooper Clinic will be absorbed by Mercy Clinic-Fort Smith. Terms of the deal between Cooper at the St….