Business

Touting tourism

Earlier this week, I joined nearly 400 tourism leaders at the 43rd Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism. It was an opportunity to highlight the outstanding accomplishments of those in Arkansas’s…

Trump budget cuts funding for Arkansas’ rural airports, UAMS research dollars, agri support

Airline service in four of Arkansas’ faster-growing cities would be eliminated under President Donald Trump’s budget cuts to the Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service program, a program created nearly…

Junior Leadership Academy group winners roll out ‘479’ student center concept for downtown Fort Smith

The Junior Leadership Academy (JLA) has wrapped up its inaugural year as a partnership between the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce and Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS), and named…

Delta Regional Authority, manufacturing groups face uncertain future with Trump budget

As more details of President Donald Trump’s budget were unveiled, a number of Arkansas agencies and organizations that could see deep or complete funding cuts were speaking out. Delta Regional…

Wal-Mart eyes trendy fashion startup ModCloth as next acquisition

Wal-Mart Stores, through its online subsidiary Jet.com, is reportedly about to close a deal for the trendy fashion startup ModCloth. The San Francisco Bay area company would mark Wal-Mart’s third…

Startups to Watch: NOWDx testing for infectious disease in Africa; Menguin user base up 500%

Earlier this year, Talk Business & Politics and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal – with input from observers of the area’s startup scene – tagged several startup industries as the…

The Supply Side: Suppliers hear details on Walmart.com restructuring

Walmart.com recently restructured under new CEO Marc Lore, which was soon followed by the acquisitions of online specialty retailers ShoeBuy and Moosejaw. Lore decided make the best use of the…

Harps employs discount strategy with 10BOX concept

Harps Food Stores has a new retail concept that advertises all items priced “at cost,” with a flat 10% added at the register. 10BOX Cost-Plus recently opened in a former…

U.S. House Budget Committee advances Obamacare repeal bill, tough path expected in Senate

The U.S. House Budget Committee on Thursday (March 16) advanced the American Health Care Act, with the two Arkansas members on the committee, U.S. Reps. Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman,…

Ethanol exports rise 26% in 2016

The amount of fuel ethanol the United States exported increased 26% to more than 1 billion gallons, or 68,000 barrels per day, in 2016, from 2015, according to U.S. Energy…

UA startup team wins $15,000 in competition at University of Manitoba

A University of Arkansas student team that formed the company Grox Industries won first place and almost $15,000 at the Stu Clark Investment Competition on March 11 at the University…

ACH receives elite status from American Nurses Credentialing Center

Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock has received the Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. On Wednesday (March 15), the 359-bed pediatric hospital found out it had earned…

SXSW: Kudos and concerns for the maturing podcast market

Editor’s Note: Brett Parker, director of media services for Little Rock-based Stone Ward, will this week provide occasional updates on events he attends at the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas….

Bradbury Family Foundation gives Arkansas State University College of Business largest scholarship gift ever

Arkansas State University junior Ethan Barnes knew he wanted to major in business the first time he rubbed two dimes together. Thanks to a newly created scholarship endowment created by…

Committee votes to ban marijuana edibles, some smoking

The House Rules Committee voted Wednesday (March 15) to ban the sale of marijuana edibles and to ban marijuana smoking in certain places and situations. House Bill 1392 by Robin…

Fort Smith metro home sales market sees gains in sales volume and units, decrease in inventory

For the last few years, the Fort Smith metro region has largely been a homebuyer’s market, but that is starting to change. According to Andy Hearn, an agent with Weichert…

Wal-Mart investing in Brazil, beauty boxes and e-commerce talent

Wal-Mart Stores is rich with cash but the retail giant said it uses discipline when deciding how to spend that money. Headlines from this week indicate Wal-Mart is doling out…

Three Arkansas startup companies to present at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week

Three central Arkansas startups, Cocoa Belle Chocolates, RaftUp, and ClinicPass, have been chosen by the Delta Regional Authority to be part of New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, March 19-24 in downtown…

House plan OKs measure to merge State Plant board, six other agencies into Agriculture Department

Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s push to downsize state government continued Wednesday (March 15) when a House committee approved a measure to consolidate seven smaller farming-related boards and commissions into the State…

Feds boost interest rates, credit card finance charges could rise $1.6 billion in 2017

An improved labor market, rise in household spending and desire to keep inflation at around 2% led the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on Wednesday (March 15) to…

Oklahoma court ruling threatens poultry industry in Arkansas

GDP up 4.3% in the third quarter, consumer confidence declines

St. Bernards to expand Maternal Life360 HOME program into Greene County

Then and Now: Cooperative business model a good fit for Mitchell Johnson