Durable goods orders surge in July
New orders for manufactured durable goods in July increased $55.3 billion, or 22.6% to $300.1 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau report.This increase, up five of the last six months, was at...
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Jobs chief: Workforce quality an ‘emergency’ in Arkansas
story by Roby Brock, a TCW content partner and owner of Talk Business & Politicsroby@talkbusiness.netThe state’s economic development community concluded two days of workshops hearing from leaders...
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Arvest goes after Dennis Smiley with a third lawsuit
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comThe lawsuits against former bank president Dennis Smiley are starting to pile up, with Arvest now pursuing Smiley and his business interests for more than...
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Tyson’s purchase of Hillshire to create a global meat behemoth (Updated)
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comEditor's note: Updated with Wednesday's report from the U.S. Department of Justice.Tyson Foods is moving toward closing its acquisition of Hillshire Brands but...
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Jobless rate rises to 5.2% in Northwest Arkansas, workforce declines 3.5%
Northwest Arkansas’ regional economy continues to be the state’s most robust, but the size of the metro workforce declined 3.58% in July compared to July 2013, and the number of employed dipped 0.41%...
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Fort Smith metro workforce declines 4.14% in July, jobless rate rises to 6.5%
The Fort Smith regional economy workforce, which appeared to be stabilizing during the past year, took a negative turn in July with a 4.14% decline. The number of employed in the metro fell 2.35% in...
View ArticleTwo restaurant chains, Newk’s and Boneheads, moving to NWA
Newk’s Eatery is coming to Northwest Arkansas making its first stop in Fayetteville. The restaurant will be located at 637 E. Joyce Blvd. in a space at Spring Creek Center, Fayetteville. A grand...
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Legislators visit UAFS robotics lab, hear about classes for employers
story by Ryan Saylorrsaylor@thecitywire.comAn Arkansas legislative committee heard directly from employers and educators at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Wednesday (Aug. 27) about how they...
View ArticlePicasolar to present in national startup showcase
Fayetteville-based Picasolar was selected from hundreds of startups across the country to present at the SXSW Eco’s Startup Showcase, an entrepreneurial pitch competition held Oct. 6-7, in Austin,...
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Northwest Health System gets new CEO
Sharif Omar has been appointed as CEO of Northwest Health System, replacing Dan McKay who recently took over as CEO of Sparks Medical in Fort Smith. Omar has more than 15 years of hospital management...
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Five startups prep for ARK Challenge Demo Day
story Josh Souzajsouza@thecitywire.comThere are five entrepreneurial teams putting the final touches on their startup ventures as they wrap up the first five weeks of the “Summer 2014 ARK Challenge.”...
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Arkansas home sales up 7% in July, year-to-date sales up 5.6%
The average Arkansas home sales price may be down more than 2% for sales during the first seven months of 2014, but the number of homes sold is up almost 6% and the value of the sales are up 6.59%....
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Walmart ‘Pickup Grocery’ site preps for store concept opening
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comGrocery giant Wal-Mart Stores will soon unveil its “Pickup Grocery” format with the first concept store near its home base in Bentonville.The retailer has named...
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Whirlpool: TCE pollution near Boys & Girls Club poses no risk
story by Ryan Saylorrsaylor@thecitywire.comWhirlpool Corporation said in a statement Thursday (Aug. 28) that previously detected TCE contamination near a south Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club facility...
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Fort Smith tax collections up in July report, below estimates year-to-date
story by Ryan Saylorrsaylor@thecitywire.comFor the second month in a row, Fort Smith sales tax collections have surpassed the same month last year. But even with the increase in revenues, sales tax...
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Tyson Foods completes Hillshire deal, makes management changes
Tyson Foods on Thursday (Aug. 28) completed the $8.5 billion acquisition of Hillshire Brands, the largest deal ever in the meat industry.As expected, Hillshire CEO Sean Connolly will not remain with...
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Arkansas stakeholders debate impact of proposed ‘Clean Power Plan’
story by Wesley Brownwesbrocomm@gmail.comSix stakeholder groups went back-and-forth Thursday for several hours on the economic impact of the Environmental Protection Agency’s pending regulations to...
View ArticleAlcohol amendment approved for Arkansas general election ballot
story from Talk Business & Politics, a TCW content partnerArkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin said his office has approved enough signatures to allow a constitutional proposal to expand alcohol...
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Commercial building surge pushes NWA permit values higher in July
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comConstruction crews in Northwest Arkansas had a productive month in July with combined permit values in the four largest cities totaling $71.33 million, up 57%...
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Wal-Mart exec outlines growth strategy for Latin America
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comLeaders with Wal-Mart’s Mexican and Central American business unit have announced a three-prong plan to grow sales over the next year on the heels of solid...
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