Regions

Beverly Completes Merger; Some Executives to Retire

Beverly Enterprises Inc. of Fort Smith on March 14 completed its merger with Fillmore Capital Partners affiliate Pearl Senior Care for $12.50 per share.

Wal-Mart Buys Majority Interest in CARHCO

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville on March 15 said it has increased its interest in Central American Retail Holding Co., which controls 375 supermarkets and other stores throughout Central America.

USDA Confirms Third BSE Case

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed on March 13 that a 10-year-old Alabama cow had tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad-cow disease.

Wal-Mart Prepares For China Expansion

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to hire 150,000 people in China over the next five years as it prepares for a major store expansion. Wal-Mart currently has about 30,000 employees in China.

Wal-Mart Names Compliance Chief

On March 17, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. named J.P. Suarez senior vice president and chief compliance officer for its U.S. operations.

Stephens Inc. Downgrades USA

Stephens Inc. of Little Rock on March 17 downgraded shares of USA Truck Inc. of Van Buren.

Simmons First Announces Promotions, Dividend

J. Thomas May, chairman and CEO of Simmons First, announced promotions of David Bartlett to president and chief operating officer, Marty Casteel to executive vice president, and Bob Fehlman to executive vice president and chief financial officer.

NWA Real Estate Agents Ring In Banner Sales

Overall, sales of the 42 firms on the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal?s list of Top Grossing Real Estate Agents total $3.7 billion in 2005, which is a 34.6 percent increase from sales of $2.7 billion in 2004.

Number of Agents Grows In Northwest Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas saw a large increase in the number of agents when compared to other parts of the state.

Title Companies Fight for More Regulations

The population boom in Northwest Arkansas has opened up opportunities for people to get a piece of the real estate pie. And because there are minimal regulations on title agents, it?s easy for anyone to open shop and sell title insurance.

Growth Group Buys E.J. Ball Building for $3.8 Million

Growth Group of Fayetteville recently bought the seven-story, 53,781-SF E.J. Ball building in Fayetteville for $3.8 million.

Concrete Company Signs Big Order

American Decorative Concrete Supply Corp. of Springdale recently took a $2 million order from one of the five largest concrete manufacturers in the world.

Signature Plans Bella Vista Site

Fayetteville?s Signature Bank of Arkansas has set its sights on a Bella Vista branch. The office, slated for 406 Town Center, will be the sixth full-service Signature Bank location.

Garrison Financial Tallies First Year

It?s been a little more than year since Tom Garrison?s company, Garrison Financial Corp., bought out Rebecca Garner?s firm, Garner Asset Management. So far, the firm has seen positive results.

Two Flight Schools Planned For Area

Two new flight academies could be opening in Fayetteville and Bentonville in early April.

First Financial Eyes Cornerstone Bank

First Financial Bank of El Dorado is working to buy Cornerstone Bank of Senatobia.

Jury Says Zero Dollars for Land Owner

In an unusual verdict, a Russellville businessman has been ordered to give property to the state highway department without any compensation.

Ag Info Service Is ATTRActive, Free Adviser

ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas) is the single largest project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology. ATTRA can provide free technology advice for farmers in Arkansas.

Urbanization Devours Blueberry Farms

The high price of real estate in Northwest Arkansas is turning blueberry farms into subdivisions. Blueberry acreage in Arkansas is down as a result, even though it is increasing nationwide.

Pro-Cal Turns Waste to Feed

Simmons Foods Inc. of Siloam Springs has invented Pro-Cal, which allows the poultry to convert a byproduct of poultry processing into a feed for chickens and cows. Its new $10 million, 125,000-SF plant in Missouri will manufacture Pro-Cal.

Sales tax revenue up more than 4% in Northwest Arkansas cities

UAFS names director of Center for Nonprofits

Walmart taps Instacart exec to head up AI acceleration

Fort Smith Public School District working to resolve cyber attack disruption