News Briefs

Bear State reports third-quarter earnings up 8%

Earnings for Bear State Financial rose 8% in the third quarter as interest income increased from average balances, loans and investment securities. Profit was $5.132 million, or 14 cents per…

Manufacturing group supports President Trump’s decision to halt Clean Power Plan

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has voiced its support for President Donald Trump’s recent decision to scrap the Clean Power Plan. NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said manufacturers…

U.S. manufacturing leader says more things ‘can be made right here’

A belief by a national manufacturing leader that more things can be made in the U.S. would be good news for Arkansas’ manufacturing sector. Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) President…

Rutledge names Cox as new chief of staff, Vogelpohl to lead tort reform campaign

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has named Cory Cox of Perryville as her new chief of staff following the departure of Carl Vogelpohl, who has served in that role since…

Lt. Governor Tim Griffin announces chief of staff change

Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin announced Monday (Oct. 16) the departure of his chief of staff, Scott Burton, and the hiring of David Ray as his successor, effective immediately. “I thank…

Loyd named woman of the year

Arkansas State University interim dean of the College of Business Dr. Kathy White Loyd has been named “Woman of the Year” by the Jonesboro Business and Professional Women. Loyd, a…

University of Arkansas endowment reaches $1 billion

University of Arkansas endowment holdings have reached more than $1 billion, a record high for the school, according to a press release sent by the UA on Thursday (Oct. 12)….

Garver acquires Kansas firm in Wichita

North Little Rock-based Garver, the state’s largest engineering, planning, architectural and environmental services firm, has acquired Ruggles & Bohm, an engineering and design services firm in Wichita, Kan. Financial terms…

Arkansas Tech receives Veterans Upward Bound grant, $1.3 million over 5 years

Arkansas Tech University in Russellville has received a federal grant to increase resources for students who are military veterans. The school will receive an anticipated $1.3 million over five years…

Wal-Mart to retire $8.5 billion in debt tender offer

Wal-Mart Stores is making a tender offer to purchase certain outstanding debt securities issued by the retail giant to reduce the company’s interest expense. The $8.5 billion tender offer was…

Mike Maulden to retire from Entergy Arkansas in January

Mike Maulden, director of business and economic development for Entergy Arkansas, will retire at the end of January after working 34 years for the company, CEO Rick Riley said. “It…

Northwest Arkansas foreclosure activity among lowest in the U.S.

A new survey shows the Northwest Arkansas metro — defined as Benton, Washington and Madison counties in Arkansas and McDonald County in Missouri — had just 33 homes in some…

Supply management index shows continued growth in manufacturing sector

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) has released its monthly Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for September, and the story told is another positive one with the PMI at 60.8%, an…

Clinton National Airport receives $4.9 million from FAA

Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock will receive a $4.9 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve a runway safety area. On Tuesday (Oct….

Writer for Talk Business & Politics, NWABJ receives state and national reporting awards

Nancy Peevy, a freelance writer for Talk Business & Politics and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, has captured several state and national writing awards, including a first place national award…

Wal-Mart news briefs: $316 million going into Brazil, Chinese grocery bid, Walmart To Go remodel

Wal-Mart Stores continues to invest in growing its global footprint, from tweaking it’s first convenience store in Bentonville to a multimillion dollar investment going into its lackluster Brazilian business, and…

Springdale jumps two spots to sixth fastest-growing U.S. small city

Springdale is the sixth fastest-growing small city in the United States, according to WalletHub.com. The Northwest Arkansas city jumped two spots in WalletHub’s 2017 study on the Fastest-Growing Cities in…

Iron Mountain to open new data management facility in Little Rock’s Otter Creek area

Boston-based Iron Mountain Inc., a publicly traded storage and data management firm, announced the opening of a new 23,000 square foot information management facility in fast-growing Otter Creek area of…

Arkansas Sen. David Sanders named director of Innovate Arkansas

Winrock International has named state Sen. David Sanders, R-Little Rock, director of Innovate Arkansas, a statewide initiative that helps scale technology companies. In his new role, Sanders will lead a…

State Education Commissioner says Little Rock School District could see board elections in 2018

Steve Brawner with Independent Arkansas reports: The Little Rock School District could have a school board election so it can be returned to local control as early as May…