Regions

Chambers Loads Up For Regional Rollout

John Chambers? financial holding company, Chambers Bancshares Inc. of Danville, gained controlling interest of a Fayetteville bank in December, and he plans to rebrand the eight-branch Community Bank of North Arkansas by year?s end.

Focus on People Built UHC Boss? Portfolio

Don Pitts, chairman of United Holding Co. in Springdale and president and chairman of United-Bilt Homes Inc. of Springdale and Shreveport, La., is a revered figures, but down to earth as green onions.

Lenders Take Over Wonderland Cave

Larry Wilson?s saga as one of the owners of Bella Vista?s 1 million-SF Wonderland Cave, the ?largest underground nightclub in the world,? and the historic Sunset Hotel ended on April 8.

Frez-N-Stor Will Have More (Real Deals)

Team Group Ltd. of Dallas buys a building permit on April 7 valued at $4.5 million to build a 93,000-SF addition to the Frez-N-Stor Inc. facility off Porter Street in Springdale.

Bank?s Charge-offs Indicate Credit Quality, Aggressiveness

Of the 27 privately held banks in the six-county Northwest Arkansas market, 14 show decreases in their charge-offs from 2002 to 2003.

Lower Interest Rates Usually Boost Homes

Low interest rates and a booming economy have 2004 new home construction on track to easily break 2003?s record of 7,000 units in Northwest Arkansas.

Arkansas National, Bank of Rogers Lead in ROE

Although return on assets is the most-often-used measurement of a bank?s financial health, return on equity is usually more important to shareholders.

At Long Last, Venture Capital Tax Credits

It has taken a couple of years to get all the parts in motion, but legislation approved by the General Assembly in 2001 may finally be about to help attract venture capital investment to the state.

Brandon Buys 150 Acres in Brownstone Development

A new player, Gary Brandon, is involved in what was to be the Brownstone Development in Bentonville.

Agracat Bankruptcy Riles Investment Firm

A Springdale investment company, AFS-NWA LLC, that?s owned by trucking and development mogul J.B. Hunt is trying to intervene in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed by Agracat Inc. on March 15.

Agracat?s Creditors Include Several Banks

The 20 largest claims in Agracat?s bankruptcy totaled about $4.69 million.

Robinson Held Agracat Stock

One of Agracat?s major stockholders, Melvin Robinson, was an associate of Jim Bolt and Golf Entertainment Inc.

Siloam Gets Gated Community

Siloam Springs will soon have its first gated community ? Club View Estates.

Walgreen?s May Pursue Liqour Sales

We hear Walgreen Co. has expressed an interest in selling liquor at its stores in Arkansas, but the folks at the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board said they have received no formal application.

A?ropostale Coming to Fayetteville

A?ropostale Inc., a national clothing chain for young men and women, plans to open a store in Fayetteville?s Northwest Arkansas Mall by fall.

Magsam, McKay Take D-G Biz Editor Slots

John Magsam is promoted to business editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette?s Northwest Arkansas operation.

Griffee Wins Deane Award

Carol Griffee was given the 2004 Ernie Deane Award for ?valor in journalism? on April 8.

Schlesing Delivers the D-G?s Baghdad Blog (Outtakes Opinion)

We?ve been enjoying the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette?s ?Baghdad blog,? a diary of sorts written by reporter Amy Schlesing.

D-G Testimonials Getting Worse (Outtakes Opinion)

We wrote in our March 15 issue that some of the testimonial advertisements the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has been running were lukewarm at best. Since then, we?ve seen more of them, and they just keep getting worse.

A Goofy Quote Appears in Print (Outtakes Opinion)

The Prairie Grove Enterprise provides a funny quote.

NWA Council, Apprenticely to host startup hiring event in July

Survey provides insight into economic ‘risk & reality’ for women

Downtown Fort Smith arts events planned for early November

Lockheed Martin to boost job numbers in Fort Smith