Opinion

Agriculture’s ‘perfect storm’

I find myself thinking about agriculture a lot lately. I’m not a farmer, but I know enough about farming from the stories I’ve heard over the years from friends and…

Strong loan growth fuels central Arkansas’ evolving real estate market

Since 2024, central Arkansas has seen strong loan growth, particularly in non-residential construction, hotel financing, and consumer lending. These trends reflect a dynamic market adapting to economic shifts and interest…

Empowering teachers and students for a safer learning environment

Braylon picked up the chair and threw it across the room, shouting “Why did she have to die?” It was almost Mother’s Day and his emotions about his mom’s death…

UCA is central to NWA

Northwest Arkansas is a hub of industry, innovation and opportunity, and great universities do not just respond to opportunity — they help create it. That is why the University of…

Ring of Fire: Forge the next generation of American steel

The most famous landmark in Mississippi County, where I am proud to call home, is the five-room farmhouse where country singer Johnny Cash grew up. In addition to being a…

Positioning Arkansas for continued economic development success

Arkansas has seen economic development success in recent years with many new businesses locating in Arkansas and bringing significant investments and well-paying jobs to Arkansans. To continue this success, Arkansas…

Thriving through change: Real estate trends point up

Many of us have heard the expression, “If you build it, they will come.” That logic certainly applies to Northwest Arkansas. Now one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S.,…

WRF’s relentless pursuit of the ‘E’ word

As the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF) celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are reminded of the enduring values guiding our work for half a century: opportunity, equity, and prosperity for all…

Building success through employee care

Garver’s growth over the past decade is one of remarkable transformation. Since 2019, the company has expanded from 650 employees to more than 1,500, effectively navigating challenges like the COVID-19…

Jonesboro: A trendsetter city preparing for the future

When it comes to Northeast Arkansas, the vision many visitors hold prior to arrival is one of fertile soil, dense forest and typical quiet country living. However, the combined efforts…

Outdoor recreation fuels Arkansas’ tourism growth

Whether you are dropping in on the Castle Hub, cruising down the nation’s first national river, chasing a combine harvester in search of a Yellow Rail, defying gravity by trusting…

The Jim Guy I knew

I was 12 years old when I first “met” Jim Guy Tucker. I didn’t really meet him, but I saw him in a TV ad running for the U.S. Senate…

Pharmaceuticals’ power needs reforms

The Arkansas General Assembly gaveled in a new legislative session last month in Little Rock, and members of both the House and Senate are working diligently to make our state…

Investing in cybersecurity for our capital, state, and nation

I love Arkansas. And I love Little Rock. I have been vocal and active in promoting Little Rock – not just because it’s been my home for decades, but because…

Tax benefits for Arkansans through Arkansas Brighter Future 529 plans

Tax season may not be the most exciting time of year, but it can come with some silver linings — like the opportunity to save for your loved one’s education…

Building, selling to supply chain businesses

The supply chain technology space has seen an unprecedented wave of new tech startups over the past decade. While venture capital inflow into the logistics sector is retracting to normal…

To win big, Arkansas needs more power, updates to incentives

Economic development is a competitive business. Businesses have a choice of where to locate and expand. From high-profile projects like Amazon’s HQ2 to multi-billion dollar manufacturing facilities, most corporate location…

Energy policy takes center stage

Survival guides use the “rule of threes.” You can survive three minutes without oxygen, three hours without shelter in an extreme environment, three days without water and three weeks without…

What Trump NLRB changes mean for employers

On Jan. 27, 2025, President Donald Trump fired Jennifer Abruzzo as general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), signaling a shift in the agency’s enforcement priorities. The NLRB…