Tag: Fort Smith area home sales

‘Disorderly’ auto bankruptcy concerns addressed, 2009 auto forecasts made

A Tuesday (Dec. 23) report from Fitch Ratings about possible downgrades for asset-based securities of U.S. auto dealer floorplans does not immediately concern area auto dealer Frank Hug. The Fitch…

Wal-Mart lawsuit settlement costs could reach $640 million

The legal team at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is trying to begin a new year with far fewer lawsuits on its workload, but at a cost of as much as $640…

‘Reorganization’ possible for Fort Smith tourism, downtown development

Fort Smith City Administrator Dennis Kelly said Tuesday (Dec. 23) he is “seriously looking” at “reorganization” of the city’s various economic development functions. He specifically mentioned his ongoing review of…

I-49, health trust and Washington trip part of active Fort Smith board meeting

The Fort Smith board of directors listed Interstate 49 funding as their top priority for inclusion in an expected federal economic stimulus bill. In its Tuesday (Dec. 23) special meeting,…

Federal report offers insight into mortgage problems nationwide

A federal report on mortgage delinquencies provides several succinct insights into the state of “mortgage performance” around the country, with possibly the key insight being that more than 9 out…

If Perry Como isn’t doing it for you, try these stats from the Census Bureau

You’ll be shocked to learn we buy a lot of Christmas stuff from Communist China. Ho, Ho, Ho, Comrade.

National trucking index up, but economist warns against optimism

A slight increase in the national truck tonnage index in November should not be interpreted as the beginning of a longer trend, according to the economist for the American Trucking…

Chaffee Authority touts success of dog food plant, wetlands and Elvis

Authority Director Ivy Owen says 2009 successes could include museum growth, job additions and “Learning Fields.”

Area home prices fall, Fort Smith building permits get school boost

Average and median prices of new and existing homes in the Fort Smith/Van Buren markets dropped 5,8 percent and rose 2.6 percent, respectively, between Aug. 4 and Dec. 22. The…

Of chamber coincidences and mayoral musings

Sometime between Christmas and New Year’s Day we should celebrate Roger Meek day. Roger and other members of the Meek family own and operate the Coca-Cola distribution business in the…

Walk a careful line with lines of credit

A line of credit can be a simple way to help a business get through a slower economy. But use with caution.

Chamber experience not necessary for the next Fort Smith Chamber president

There is clear agreement that the chamber hire a person who is responsible, aggressive and has a track record of business and development success. That would be a welcome change.

The week ended with more troubling layoff news for Arkansas

More than 260 employees at Superior Industries in Fayetteville and Rogers were laid off, and both plants will be idled through Jan. 11. The auto supplier company confirmed produces wheels…

Pew to track role of federal subsidies in U.S. economy

Because Congress has yet to get a handle on its interference in the economy, someone had to step up.

Chamber confirms Manskey’s departure and names new economic development person

What The City Wire reported Dec. 18 is now official. The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce issued a press release late Friday afternoon confirming that Tom Manskey will resign…

Manufacturing losses push Arkansas’ unemployment rate upward

Arkansas’ November unemployment rate rose three-tenths of a percent from 5.4 percent in October to 5.7 percent in November, according to Arkansas’ Department of Workforce Services. The United States’ jobless…

Prius Schmius! Trucks and SUVs climb back into the top sales spot

Sales of SUV’s and trucks are the hottest sellers December, proving again that he collective memory of the American automobile consumer can be short and fickle. “Despite all the public…

Tom Manskey resigns as Fort Smith chamber president

Several sources tell The City Wire that Fort Smith Chamber President Tom Manskey tendered his resignation today (Dec. 18), effective Jan. 30. Manskey was hired in September 2003. Roger Meek,…

Ratings report released on parent company of KHBS 40/29

Fitch, a prominent national ratings agency, recently took at look at the parent company of KHBS/KHOG 40/29 and liked what it saw — with a few exceptions. Ratings on the…

This Peter fella wants you folks to eat in a barn

And Mr. FancyPants University of Texas graduate refers to beer as an ‘ecru liquid.’ Well, La-Te-Da! Peter might be from Arkansas, but he was dang near ruined in Austin.