Central Arkansas

Thoma Thoma and EXIT Marketing to merge

Two Little Rock marketing firms — EXIT Marketing and Thoma Thoma — will merge effective immediately. The merged firm, to be called Thoma Thoma with EXIT Digital as its social…

WD&D Architects names Chad Young president and CEO

Little Rock-based firm Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson Architects (WD&D) has promoted Chad Young to president and CEO. Young also serves as lead designer and principal at WD&D, where he has…

Little Rock, let’s get to work

December 4, 2018 was a defining moment for Little Rock. Not just because of the historical significance of the Mayor’s race, but because of the clear direction given to us…

Windstream sells off Earthlink consumer arm for $330 million

Windstream Holdings Inc. closed out a challenging year on Monday with the all-cash sale of its Earthlink branded internet service for $330 million, the Little Rock telecom announced Monday (Dec….

Windstream sells fiber assets in Minnesota, Nebraska for $60.5 million

Little Rock broadband operator Windstream Holdings Inc. on Tuesday (Dec. 18) announced that it has sold off fiber assets in Minnesota and Nebraska as part of the company’s strategy to…

LR Convention and Visitors Bureau launches ‘rock star’ campaign

The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) launched a new partnership program designed to bring more meeting and convention business to the capital city. The program identifies local residents…

Arkansas Children’s names Dr. Greg Sharp as SVP and Chief Medical Officer

Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) has promoted Chief of Neurology Greg Sharp, MD, to senior vice president and chief medical officer after a national search. Dr. Sharp, who also serves as…

MarketPlace Grill in Springdale, Conway sold to Texas group

Springdale-based MarketPlace Grill, a locally-owned casual dining restaurant which has two Arkansas locations in Springdale and Conway, has merged with a restaurant group from Texas. Financial terms of the deal…

Little Rock Marriott hires veteran hospitality exec David Lang as GM

David Lang, formerly the general manager of Northwest Arkansas’ largest hospitality asset, has landed a new job leading the flagship hotel in the state’s capital city. Lang, 53, has taken…

LR Tech Park lays out design plans for Phase II development

The Little Rock Technology Park Authority on Wednesday (Dec. 12) unveiled architectural renderings for the five-story “shell” building on Main Street that will house the yet unfinanced second phase of…

Former Acxiom subsidiaries now headed in different directions

Going on 2-1/2 months after selling off its legacy data marketing business for $2.3 billion to New York-based Interpublic Group (IPG), the former Acxiom Corp. has quickly regrouped with a…

In defense of Millennials – as if they needed defending

I write this article from three perspectives: First, as someone who went to college in the 60s. Second, as someone who has dedicated his career to creative pursuits. Finally, as…

Baptist Health CEO says Sparks acquisition will lead to stability

Baptist Health CEO Troy Wells said his hospital system’s acquisition of two campuses in the Fort Smith region was tricky due to negotiations with a publicly-traded company, but he expects…

Lonoke County family selected Arkansas Farm Family

Chris and Judy Isbell of Humnoke in Lonoke County are the 2018 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. As Arkansas Farm Family of the Year, the Isbells will compete with…

Health sciences entrepreneurship boot camp returns for 3rd year

Applications are now open for the Health Sciences Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, a weeklong training program for undergraduate and graduate students that equips them with the skills and knowledge they need…

Hot Springs to receive $20 million for bypass extension

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $20 million in grants for a bypass extension in Hot Springs. The money will come from the $1.5 billion Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage…

Arkansas startup unveils plans for state’s first accredited cannabis lab

Arkansas’ first announced cannabis testing lab will hold an open house and dedication next week as the Natural State moves closer to entering the fast-growing medical marijuana industry that is…

Frank Scott, Jr. makes history in Little Rock mayor’s victory

On December 4, 2018, Frank Scott, Jr. became the first elected African-American mayor of the capital city of Little Rock, Arkansas. More than 60 years after the Central High Crisis…

Quapaw Nation’s Downstream enterprise selected by Pine Bluff, Jefferson County to lead casino efforts

The investment of millions of dollars to help pass an amendment expanding Arkansas’ casinos may pay off in a bigger way for a Quapaw Nation-based gaming operator. Local leaders in…

Health expert says data still incomplete to assess Arkansas Works, Obamacare changes

Dr. Joe Thompson, CEO of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement and a former state surgeon general, says the data is still incomplete to shape policy over two of the…