Tag: Fort Smith area home sales

Arkansas’ jobless rate edges up to 7.4%

Arkansas’s preliminary unemployment rate in July was 7.4%, up more than 2 percentage points over the July 2008 rate of 5%, and up slightly over the 7.2% in June 2009….

Whirlpool mum on potential impact of ‘cash for clunker appliances’ program

Whirlpool Corp. has not issued a statement and is not expected to talk about the impact of the planned federal program to financially help Americans buy new energy efficient appliances….

Leadership Fort Smith welcomes 23rd class

Many class members interested in becoming more engaged in supporting regional economic and cultural improvements.

Slow economy cutting into Fort Smith sanitation revenue

The economy also is pressuring the operations at the Fort Smith Department of Sanitation, with revenues well off the 2008 pace and off the pace required to cover costs. For…

Analysis: Baldor successfully cuts costs, but tough times ahead

An analysis from Jon Braatz at Kansas City Capital Associates notes that Baldor Electric Co. is doing a good job balancing the tough economic times with cost cuts and productivity…

Teenagers and cell phones

The youngsters are closing the gap on cell phone ownership rates.

The City Wire Business of the Month: Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority

Our new regional authority has the potential to help area manufacturers and generate new investments and jobs.

There is always the recessionary angle to a fine dining adventure

Peter suggests taking that special date to a chicken or beef place and popping the big question: “You want waffle fries with that?”

SEC backs away from gameday social media ban

The Southeastern Conference on Wednesday (Aug. 18) retreated from a previous media policy that would have effectively banned posting any information about an SEC game on any form of social…

Local, state and federal officials sound off on I-49

The next opportunity to seek funding for Interstate 49 could happen this fall or be pushed back 18 months, according to those watching legislative activity related to the next federal…

Report outlines the good and the bad about Arkansas banks

An investment banking company based in Austin, Texas, reported Tuesday (Aug. 18) that Arkansas banks are in good shape, but noted some concern with banks in the Fort Smith and…

First National Bank donates to Nature Center

First National Bank of Fort Smith and First National Bank of Rogers implemented a “Going Green” promotion in May and June to encourage customers to receive bank statements and other…

Industry fallout

Auto makers, brokerage firms and banks lose respect among Americans.

Gerber hit with fine for unfair hiring practices in Fort Smith

Gerber Products Co. has agreed to pay $900,000 to 1,912 minorities and females for hiring discrimination, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Labor. The company is also…

Don’t be a ‘Cowboy’ entrepreneur

Stockman provides several pointers on the correct way to get that new business legally and professionally formed.

The Compass report indicates further economic decline in the metro area

The second quarter of 2009 saw Fort Smith regional economic conditions worsen thanks to declining sales tax collections and rising unemployment, according to the The Compass report — the only…

Fort Smith directors asked to consider citywide wage freeze in 2010

The Fort Smith Board of Directors were asked Monday (Aug. 17) to consider a wage freeze for all city employees in 2010. Planned salary increases in 2010 range from $544,000…

Fort Smith city administrator opens the restaurant tax debate (Corrected)

Fort Smith City Administrator Dennis Kelly handed the Board of Directors a big plate of restaurant tax options Monday night (Aug. 17) and asked them to chew on the various…

Trane operations in Fort Smith spared seasonal cuts

Now for some good manufacturing news. Trane’s Fort Smith plant will not see the seasonal layoff that cut 370 jobs at Trane’s large production facility in Tyler, Texas. According to…

Constitution Week planned at UAFS

The American Democracy Project at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will host a series of events the week of Sept. 14-18 in recognition of Constitution Week. This year’s…