Restaurant industry reports slow second quarter
The restaurant segment continues to see sluggish activity throughout the second quarter and first half of 2014. The industry’s snapshot for June showed same-store sales were flat at 0.3% during the...
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Paul Harvel receives top award from national chamber group
story by Michael Tilleymtilley@thecitywire.comPaul Harvel’s more than 46 years of work with chambers of commerce in three states – from Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith to Amarillo – has garnered him...
View ArticleSecond quarter earnings up 30% for Bank of the Ozarks
Bank of the Ozarks posted second quarter net income of $26.5 million, up 30% over one year ago.The big earnings boost comes as the Little Rock-based bank has completed three acquisitions in the last...
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Proposed EPA guidelines may tip the ‘balance of power’
story by Wesley Brownwesbrocomm@gmail.comAs Arkansas regulators contemplate how to cut carbon emissions from the state’s fleet of coal-fired power plants, reducing the state’s dependence on its...
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J.B. Hunt rebounds with 6.3% income gain, warns of driver shortage
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comJ.B. Hunt Transport Services picked up steam in the second quarter after a sluggish start to fiscal 2014. The Lowell-based logistics firms reported solid net...
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Value of Fort Smith area home sales rise in first half of 2014
story by Ryan Saylorrsaylor@thecitywire.comEditor’s note: This story is a component of The Compass Report. The quarterly Compass Report is managed by The City Wire. Supporting sponsors of The Compass...
View ArticleSparks Health makes early release of money for osteopathic college
Sparks Health System is making an early release of approximately $13.5 million to be applied toward the opening of the proposed Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine at Chaffee Crossing in Fort...
View ArticleTyson Foods supports local snackpack program with grant
The Samaritan Community Center’s SnackPacks for Kids program received a $45,000 grant from Tyson Foods in Springdale, the second such donation in the past year.“No child should ever go hungry,” said...
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Consumer spending trends remain a focus for economists, Wal-Mart execs
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comConsumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the nation’s gross domestic product, remains fickle as signs still point to timid behavior despite heavy...
View ArticleUSA Truck employees perform well in competitions
Three drivers for Van Buren-based USA Truck placed among the state's best at the 2014 Arkansas Trucking Championship July 11-12 in Rogers. The Little Rock-based Arkansas Trucking Association hosts this...
View ArticleHillshire shareholders sue to stop Tyson takeover
An investor lawsuit against Hillshire Brands was filed this week by Shareholders Foundation Inc. The suit claims Hillshire executives breached their fiduciary duties by agreeing to sell the company to...
View ArticleAmazon testing e-book subscription service
In an effort to boost flattening e-book sales Amazon announced its testing a e-book subscription service for under $10. The publishing house / retailer will offer Kindle users access to 600,000 e-books...
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Area hospitality tax collections trend positive through May
Hospitality tax collections in Fort Smith and Van Buren point to an uptick in area business and tourism travel, while a federal agency report indicates a national downturn in travel and tourism...
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Springdale utility move to be first public CNG use in Northwest Arkansas
story by Michael Tilleymtilley@thecitywire.comAn agreement Wednesday (July 16) by the Springdale Water and Sewer Commission to buy two compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks is proof that efforts by Sen....
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Co-packer, gourmet food business House of Webster celebrates 80 years
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comTucked away in eastern Rogers near downtown, the House of Webster has quietly provided gourmet specialty food items since 1934. While its brands of jams, baking...
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Local foreclosure market slows from Benton to Sebastian counties
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comThe local foreclosure markets in Northwest Arkansas and the Fort Smith metro areas continue to slow with fewer filings each month following a national...
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Arvest Report: Economic optimism up among wealthier, more educated
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comConsumers in Arkansas are not as optimistic as their neighbors in Missouri or Oklahoma and the there is division in sentiment within the Natural State as well,...
View ArticleTeleTech to open Jonesboro center, create up to 600 jobs
Denver-based TeleTech Holdings announced Thursday (July 17) it will open a call center in Jonesboro that will initially employ 150 but could expand up to 600 jobs. The center will be TeleTech’s second...
View ArticlePoultry Federation honors Michael Kidd, department head at University of...
The Poultry Federation has named Michael Kidd as its 2014 Industry Leader of Year. Kidd is the director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and head of the Department of Poultry Science at...
View ArticleCargill eliminates growth-promoting antibiotics from turkey production
Cargill Meat Solutions said its Honeysuckle White and Shady Brook Farms are the first major turkey brands to remove growth-promoting antibiotics from all turkeys across the independent farms they work...
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