Opinion

Zoning changes are opportunities, not obstacles

When you hear “zoning changes,” you might think “obstacles.” But recent zoning changes in Northwest Arkansas, as well as some that are proposed as part of our cities’ long-term growth…

Lessons learned in commercial real estate

I have started, run and invested in a wide variety of businesses over the past 45 years. Income-generating real estate-wise, I owned residential rentals going back nearly 20 years. But…

Beyond ethics, fair wages are good for business

At Onyx Coffee Lab, our mission is driven by four core values: quality, transparency, excellence and kindness. These principles have shaped our approach to coffee, sustainability, and — most importantly…

Upcoming legislative session agenda already being set

As the Arkansas State Legislature prepares for its 2025 session, several key issues are expected to take center stage. Legislators will navigate a complex landscape while responding to economic pressures…

It’s time to seize Arkansas’ greatest opportunity for growth in a generation

When you think of lithium, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of the element from your high school science class or the critical component of modern batteries that power…

Replace judgment with curiosity

Replace judgment with curiosity. I don’t know if these words found me or if I found them, but they have transformed my life, my work and my understanding of human-ness….

Vo-tech opened doors for me; let’s open doors for more Arkansans with Issue 1

I’m a fourth-generation farmer here in Arkansas, producing poultry and growing hay to help feed our state and our nation. I’m also proud to serve as the president of the Arkansas Farm…

Uninformed AI use can lead to ‘Dear Diary’ moments

Diaries are designed to exist under lock and key. Many of us growing up in the 1980s or 90s remember the frustration and adolescent angst we felt when a loved…

The Great Arkansas Cleanup: A win-win for Arkansas’ communities and economy

Arkansas is renowned for its natural beauty, but keeping “The Natural State” pristine requires every Arkansan to play a part. Keep Arkansas Beautiful’s Great Arkansas Cleanup (GAC), an effort encouraging…

What excites and intimidates

In July 2017, a guest speaker asked a room full of CEOs, “How do you manage vitality?” What I recall is the looks on the faces of the executives in…

The need for employee education on 401(k) plans

Financial security is increasingly top-of-mind for those in the workforce, and employers are recognizing the importance of providing robust retirement plans. Offering a 401(k) is a commendable start, but it…

State budget-making is policymaking

Late in the 2024 fiscal session, on May 1 to be precise, Rep. Wayne Long, R-Bradford, took to the House floor to argue against funding Arkansas Public Broadcasting. Rep. Long…

A cautionary tale about private equity and healthcare

This summer the state’s healthcare industry suffered its first visible bruise from the clenched fists of private equity. Two hospitals serving Arkansas residents, Wadley Regional Medical Center facilities in Hope…

Roots like redwoods

Trees fascinate me. Perhaps it is because I grew up in the home of a tree trimmer. My dad spent his entire working life in trees. I can easily recall…

Can we unite?

We are a divided country. Have been for more than two decades, depending on where you pick your starting point. After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, we saw the country…

The role of a private banker — could you use one?

The Jonesboro metro area is fortunate to have a thriving community with steady population growth and a cost of living 15% below the national average. We have low unemployment and…

Agri an important part of Northwest Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas is widely known as the home to three Fortune 500 companies and the University of Arkansas. These companies drive a large portion of the region’s economy and greatly…

Ag has always been a tech industry

You might think a farmer’s most-used piece of technology is the tractor, but I’d argue that it’s the smartphone. This might sound like a punchline, but the truth is that…

Ripple effects of advancing women in business

For the past eight years I’ve been a proud volunteer for NextUp, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in business with one of the largest chapters right here in Northwest…

Protecting Arkansas workers from heat is a hot topic

In most of the nation, all you need to do is to step outside to feel one of Arkansas’ deadliest hazards: extreme heat. So far in 2024, the dangers of…