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Arkansas Business

John Glasgow Letter Shows Strained Relationship Between Dillard's, CDI

by Gwen Moritz
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008 5:06 pm   1 min read
The relationship between CDI management and half-owner Dillard's Inc. was under tremendous stress in the days before John Glasgow, the chief financial officer of CDI Contractors, disappeared.

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                            [title] => Update: Dragon Woodland's $10M Sawmill in Helena-West Helena to Create 75 Jobs
                            [summary] => Dragon Woodland Sawmill Corp. celebrates the grand opening of its Helena-West Helena facility, a $10 million investment that will create 75 jobs and double the firm's output capacity.
                            [content] => 
Dragon Woodland Sawmill Corp. on Thursday celebrated the grand opening of its Helena-West Helena facility, a $10 million investment that will create 75 jobs.


The venture is owned by Erxin Zhou and husband Yifan Kong, a Chinese immigrant couple who live in Memphis. It purchased the former Chicago Mill & Lumber property at 129 W. Washington St., an operation that, at its peak in World Word II, employed 1,500 people.


"With nearly 19 million acres of forestland, the rich timber resources in Arkansas make the area attractive for growing companies like Dragon Woodland Sawmill," said Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who attended the grand opening event. "We are thrilled to welcome them to the state, where they will find abundant timber they need and some 28,000 workers skilled in the industry."


According to a news release from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Dragon Woodland mills red oak, white oak, ash, hickory, gum, poplar, cherry, sycamore and black walnut. The company sells domestically but also exports to China and other Asian countries. The company has two sister companies in town that support the facility: DragonFly logging and DragonFly trucking.


The Helena-West Helena facility has enabled Dragon Woodland Sawmill to double its output capacity. The site will also store and ship materials to other contractors, to include flooring, furniture, and other various wood factories domestically, according to AEDC.


Dragon Woodland bought the 119-acre complex for $500,000 last year from Delta Lumber LLC, led by Danny Wilson and Brice Slane. In 1984, American Box Co. replaced Chicago Mill in the ownership picture followed by Barnes Lumber Co. in 1987 and Delta Lumber in 2009.

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                                            [78762] => Sherman Rochell
                                            [78763] => Ruth Oliver
                                            [78764] => Greg Aleshire
                                            [78765] => Kathy Fulks
                                            [78766] => David Stephens
                                            [78767] => Karen Breashears
                                            [78768] => Nanci Caillouet
                                            [69978] => Bill Roachell
                                            [78769] => Lindsay Brown
                                            [78774] => Joyce Fowler
                                            [78775] => Marlene Battle
                                            [78776] => Lisa Fitzgibbons
                                            [78777] => Jerri Fant
                                            [78778] => Cynthia Fong
                                        )

                                    [internal] => Array
                                        (
                                            [20254] => Arkansas Business
                                            [33390] => Industries
                                            [33410] => Education
                                            [33412] => Government & Politics
                                            [33413] => Health Care
                                            [33536] => Daily Report
                                            [33535] => Northwest Arkansas
                                            [54089] => Central Arkansas
                                            [54090] => Northeast Arkansas
                                            [54094] => Southwest Arkansas
                                            [54095] => Southeast Arkansas
                                            [54088] => Regions
                                        )

                                )

                            [tagObjects] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78679
                                            [name] => Rob Reynolds
                                            [tag] => Rob Reynolds
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [1] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78680
                                            [name] => Alex Bigger
                                            [tag] => Alex Bigger
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [2] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 72270
                                            [name] => Howard Beaty
                                            [tag] => Howard Beaty
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [3] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78682
                                            [name] => Don Houseworth
                                            [tag] => Don Houseworth
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [4] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78683
                                            [name] => Rebecca Hawkins
                                            [tag] => Rebecca Hawkins
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [5] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78684
                                            [name] => Russell Thomason
                                            [tag] => Russell Thomason
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [6] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78685
                                            [name] => Tyler Davis
                                            [tag] => Tyler Davis
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [7] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78689
                                            [name] => Hugh Quimby
                                            [tag] => Hugh Quimby
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [8] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78690
                                            [name] => Alan Dean
                                            [tag] => Alan Dean
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [9] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78691
                                            [name] => Jeff Webb
                                            [tag] => Jeff Webb
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [10] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78692
                                            [name] => Rachel Gibbs
                                            [tag] => Rachel Gibbs
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [11] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78693
                                            [name] => Rick Palmer
                                            [tag] => Rick Palmer
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [12] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78694
                                            [name] => Richard Moellers
                                            [tag] => Richard Moellers
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [13] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78695
                                            [name] => Wornest Lambert
                                            [tag] => Wornest Lambert
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [14] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78696
                                            [name] => Gordon Hornaday
                                            [tag] => Gordon Hornaday
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [15] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78697
                                            [name] => James Furgason
                                            [tag] => James Furgason
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [16] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78698
                                            [name] => Bobby Wood
                                            [tag] => Bobby Wood
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [17] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78699
                                            [name] => Will Jacobs
                                            [tag] => Will Jacobs
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [18] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78700
                                            [name] => Robert McGowen
                                            [tag] => Robert McGowen
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [19] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 52845
                                            [name] => Skot Covert
                                            [tag] => Skot Covert
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [20] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78701
                                            [name] => Jason Morris
                                            [tag] => Jason Morris
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [21] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78702
                                            [name] => Donna Shields
                                            [tag] => Donna Shields
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [22] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 68085
                                            [name] => Angela Richmond
                                            [tag] => Angela Richmond
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [23] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78703
                                            [name] => Dr. Jerri Fant
                                            [tag] => Dr. Jerri Fant
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [24] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78704
                                            [name] => Sarah Faitak
                                            [tag] => Sarah Faitak
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [25] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78705
                                            [name] => Chief Stacey Caplener
                                            [tag] => Chief Stacey Caplener
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [26] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78706
                                            [name] => Chief Bo Higginbotham
                                            [tag] => Chief Bo Higginbotham
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [27] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78707
                                            [name] => Capt. Brandon Taylor
                                            [tag] => Capt. Brandon Taylor
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [28] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78708
                                            [name] => Battalion Chief Marty Hamrick
                                            [tag] => Battalion Chief Marty Hamrick
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [29] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78709
                                            [name] => Ke’Arus Henderson
                                            [tag] => Ke’Arus Henderson
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [30] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78711
                                            [name] => Heather Shrader
                                            [tag] => Heather Shrader
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [31] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78712
                                            [name] => Ann Price
                                            [tag] => Ann Price
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [32] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78713
                                            [name] => Brenda Stinebuck
                                            [tag] => Brenda Stinebuck
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [33] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78714
                                            [name] => Nathan Winter
                                            [tag] => Nathan Winter
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [34] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78715
                                            [name] => Jon Wilkerson
                                            [tag] => Jon Wilkerson
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [35] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78716
                                            [name] => Lori McFarlane
                                            [tag] => Lori McFarlane
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [36] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78717
                                            [name] => Leigh Garvin
                                            [tag] => Leigh Garvin
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [37] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78718
                                            [name] => Mahdee Raiees-Dana
                                            [tag] => Mahdee Raiees-Dana
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [38] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78719
                                            [name] => Twain Cunningham
                                            [tag] => Twain Cunningham
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [39] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78720
                                            [name] => Anne Creekmore
                                            [tag] => Anne Creekmore
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [40] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78721
                                            [name] => Candy Wray
                                            [tag] => Candy Wray
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [41] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78722
                                            [name] => Tom Masseau
                                            [tag] => Tom Masseau
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [42] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78723
                                            [name] => Kimberly Clayborn
                                            [tag] => Kimberly Clayborn
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [43] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78724
                                            [name] => Christopher Paslay
                                            [tag] => Christopher Paslay
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [44] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78725
                                            [name] => Jonathan Taylor
                                            [tag] => Jonathan Taylor
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [45] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78726
                                            [name] => Robert Fagan
                                            [tag] => Robert Fagan
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [46] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78727
                                            [name] => Craig Reinhardt
                                            [tag] => Craig Reinhardt
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [47] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78728
                                            [name] => Addie Edwards
                                            [tag] => Addie Edwards
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [48] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78729
                                            [name] => Kelley Sharp
                                            [tag] => Kelley Sharp
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [49] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78730
                                            [name] => Kesha Pilot
                                            [tag] => Kesha Pilot
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [50] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78731
                                            [name] => Linda House
                                            [tag] => Linda House
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [51] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78732
                                            [name] => Sandra Holt
                                            [tag] => Sandra Holt
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [52] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 8425
                                            [name] => John Harris
                                            [tag] => John Harris
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [53] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78733
                                            [name] => Major Paul Boss
                                            [tag] => Major Paul Boss
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [54] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78734
                                            [name] => Sylvia Ross
                                            [tag] => Sylvia Ross
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [55] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78735
                                            [name] => Kenton Hallen
                                            [tag] => Kenton Hallen
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [56] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 17900
                                            [name] => Matt House
                                            [tag] => Matt House
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [57] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78736
                                            [name] => Ricky Harrington
                                            [tag] => Ricky Harrington
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [58] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78737
                                            [name] => Shawna Gay
                                            [tag] => Shawna Gay
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [59] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78738
                                            [name] => Larry King
                                            [tag] => Larry King
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [60] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78739
                                            [name] => Charles Willis
                                            [tag] => Charles Willis
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [61] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78740
                                            [name] => Tony Horner
                                            [tag] => Tony Horner
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [62] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78741
                                            [name] => Joshua Richmond
                                            [tag] => Joshua Richmond
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [63] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78742
                                            [name] => Phillip Lea
                                            [tag] => Phillip Lea
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [64] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 58723
                                            [name] => Leslie Davis
                                            [tag] => Leslie Davis
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [65] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78743
                                            [name] => Gary Watkins
                                            [tag] => Gary Watkins
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [66] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78744
                                            [name] => Linda Thornbrugh
                                            [tag] => Linda Thornbrugh
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [67] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78745
                                            [name] => John Burke
                                            [tag] => John Burke
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [68] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78746
                                            [name] => Bryant Wilson
                                            [tag] => Bryant Wilson
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [69] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78747
                                            [name] => Mary Eddleman
                                            [tag] => Mary Eddleman
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [70] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 75907
                                            [name] => Tyler Griffin
                                            [tag] => Tyler Griffin
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [71] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78748
                                            [name] => William Anderson
                                            [tag] => William Anderson
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [72] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78749
                                            [name] => Ricky Lucas
                                            [tag] => Ricky Lucas
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [73] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78750
                                            [name] => Katherine Roark
                                            [tag] => Katherine Roark
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [74] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78751
                                            [name] => Bart Walker
                                            [tag] => Bart Walker
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [75] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78752
                                            [name] => Doyle Caldwell
                                            [tag] => Doyle Caldwell
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [76] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78753
                                            [name] => Sharon Casey
                                            [tag] => Sharon Casey
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [77] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78754
                                            [name] => Dr. Kaleybra Morehead
                                            [tag] => Dr. Kaleybra Morehead
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [78] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78755
                                            [name] => Gary Kirkpatrick
                                            [tag] => Gary Kirkpatrick
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [79] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78756
                                            [name] => Yulonda Sims
                                            [tag] => Yulonda Sims
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [80] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78757
                                            [name] => Richard Oglesby
                                            [tag] => Richard Oglesby
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [81] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78758
                                            [name] => George Webb
                                            [tag] => George Webb
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [82] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78759
                                            [name] => Vernon Lance
                                            [tag] => Vernon Lance
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [83] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78760
                                            [name] => Daniel Heflin
                                            [tag] => Daniel Heflin
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [84] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78761
                                            [name] => Brian Rodgers
                                            [tag] => Brian Rodgers
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [85] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78762
                                            [name] => Sherman Rochell
                                            [tag] => Sherman Rochell
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [86] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78763
                                            [name] => Ruth Oliver
                                            [tag] => Ruth Oliver
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [87] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78764
                                            [name] => Greg Aleshire
                                            [tag] => Greg Aleshire
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [88] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78765
                                            [name] => Kathy Fulks
                                            [tag] => Kathy Fulks
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [89] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78766
                                            [name] => David Stephens
                                            [tag] => David Stephens
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [90] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78767
                                            [name] => Karen Breashears
                                            [tag] => Karen Breashears
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [91] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78768
                                            [name] => Nanci Caillouet
                                            [tag] => Nanci Caillouet
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [92] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 69978
                                            [name] => Bill Roachell
                                            [tag] => Bill Roachell
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [93] => stdClass Object
                                        (
                                            [id] => 78769
                                            [name] => Lindsay Brown
                                            [tag] => Lindsay Brown
                                            [internal] => 0
                                            [parent_id] => 0
                                            [public] => 0
                                        )

                                    [94] => stdClass Object
                                        (
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                            [title] => Asa Hutchinson Announces Appointments to Boards, Commissions
                            [summary] => Gov. Asa Hutchinson announces appointments to boards and commissions.
                            [content] => 
Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday announced the following appointments:


Rob Reynolds, El Dorado, to the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. Appointment expires March 29, 2023. Reappointment.


Alex Bigger, Pocahontas, to the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. Appointment expires March 29, 2023. Replaces Chris Gardner.


Dr. Marlene Battle, Bryant, to the Board of Visitors for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2026. Replaces Hayward Battle.


Howard Beaty, Crossett, to the Board of Directors of the Division of Science and Technology of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Appointment expires Jan.14, 2023. Replaces Ed Winant.


Don Houseworth, Blytheville, to the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority. Appointment expires Nov. 1, 2024. Reappointment.


Rebecca Hawkins, Blytheville, to the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority. Appointment expires Nov. 1, 2024. Reappointment.


Russell Thomason, Blytheville, to the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority. Appointment expires Nov. 1, 2020. Replaces Donald Prevallet. 


Tyler Davis, Ashdown, to the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2026. Replaces Ricky Benson. 


Dr. Joyce Fowler, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Psychology Board. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2023. Reappointment.


Dr. Edward Kleitsch, North Little Rock, to the Arkansas Psychology Board. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2023. Reappointment.


Dr. Lisa Fitzgibbons, Bentonville, to the Arkansas Psychology Board. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2022. Replaces Dr. Kevin Reeder.


Hugh Quimby, Warren, to the Ouachita River Commission. Appointment expires Sept. 1, 2025. Reappointment.


Alan Dean, Camden, to the HVACR Licensing Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2022. Replaces Joseph Kirby.


Jeff Webb, Searcy, to the HVACR Licensing Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2022. Replaces Charles Ledbetter.


Rachel Gibbs, Searcy, as a justice of the peace for the White County Quorum Court, District 13. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2020. Replaces Ron Gibbs.


Rick Palmer, Cherry Valley, as a justice of the peace for the Cross County Quorum Court, District 2. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2020. Replaces Kent Goff.


Richard Moellers, Morrilton, as a justice of the peace for the Conway County Quorum Court, District 10. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2020. Replaces Cody Hill.


Wornest Lambert, Fordyce, as a justice of the peace for the Dallas County Quorum Court, District 1. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2020. Replaces Wendell Lee.


Gordon Hornaday, Fordyce, as a justice of the peace for the Dallas County Quorum Court, District 5. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2020. Replaces Clark Brent.


James Furgason, Gentry, as a justice of the peace for the Benton County Quorum Court, District 12. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2020. Replaces Adriane Carr.


Bobby Wood, Mammoth Spring, as a justice of the peace for the Fulton County Quorum Court, District 9. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2020. Replaces Charles Kendrick.


Will Jacobs, Rison, as a justice of the peace for the Cleveland County Quorum Court, District 8. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2020. Replaces Paul Jacobs.


Robert McGowen, Bella Vista, to the State Emergency Response Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2023. Reappointment.


Skot Covert, Maumelle, to the State Emergency Response Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2023. Reappointment.


Jason Morris, Holiday Island, to the State Emergency Response Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2023. Reappointment.


Donna Shields, Hamburg, to the Oversight Committee on Breast Cancer Research. Appointment expires Jan. 1, 2023. Reappointment. 


Angela Richmond, Viola, to the Oversight Committee on Breast Cancer Research. Appointment expires Jan. 1, 2023. Reappointment.


Dr. Jerri Fant, Little Rock, to the Breast Cancer Control Advisory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2023.  Reappointment.


Sarah Faitak, Fayetteville, to the Breast Cancer Control Advisory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2023.  Reappointment.


Chief Stacey Caplener, Pleasant Plains, to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Appointment expires Oct. 14, 2021. Reappointment.


Chief Bo Higginbotham, Crossett, to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Appointment expires Oct. 14, 2021. Replaces Charles Johnson.


Capt. Brandon Taylor, Batesville, to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Appointment expires Oct. 14, 2021. Replaces Earl Owens.


Battalion Chief Marty Hamrick, Jonesboro, to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Appointment expires Oct. 14, 2021. Replaces Chad Mosby.


Ke’Arus Henderson, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2023. Reappointment.


Dr. Cynthia Fong, Maumelle, to the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2023. Replaces Stacey Sebree.


Heather Shrader, Batesville, to the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2023. Replaces Chris Johnson.


Ann Price, North Little Rock, to the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2020. Replaces Andrea Reaves.


Brenda Stinebuck, Hot Springs, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2021. Replaces SeRonna Johnson.


Nathan Winter, Conway, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2021. Replaces Edwin Mitchell.


Jon Wilkerson, Conway, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022. Replaces Adren Duncan.


Lori McFarlane, Sherwood, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022. Replaces Dr. Martin McDonell.


Leigh Garvin, Sherwood, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022. Replaces Barbara Nolen.


Mahdee Raiees-Dana, Mount Pleasant, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022. Reappointment.


Twain Cunningham, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2021. Replaces Robert Fagan.


Anne Creekmore, Marion, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2021. Reappointment.


Candy Wray, Swifton, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022. Replaces Dr. Jenifer Mason.


Tom Masseau, Maumelle, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2021. Reappointment.


Kimberly Clayborn, Jonesboro, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022. Replaces Martha Strother.


Christopher Paslay, Brookland, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2020. Reappointment.


Jonathan Taylor, Vilonia, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022. Replaces Alex Scott.


Robert Fagan, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022. Reappointment.


Craig Reinhardt, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022. Reappointment.


Addie Edwards, Camden, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2020. Reappointment.


Kelley Sharp, Farmington, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2020. Replaces Brian Itzkowitz.


Kesha Pilot, Hot Springs, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires Feb. 1, 2022.


Linda House, Ponca, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District One. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Sandra Holt, Harrison, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District One. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


John Harris, Fayetteville, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District One. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Major Paul Boss, Green Forest, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District One. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Sylvia Ross, Cherokee Village, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Two. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Kenton Hallen, Heber Springs, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee District Two. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Matt House, Searcy, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Two. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Ricky Harrington, Greenbrier, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Two. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Shawna Gay, Batesville, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Two. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Bud Moxley, Monette, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Three. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Larry King, Walnut Ridge, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Three. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Charles Willis, Paragould, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Three. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Tony Horner, Piggott, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Three. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Joshua Richmond, Pocahontas, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee District Three. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Phillip Lea, Russellville, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Four. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Leslie Davis, Ozark, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Four. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Gary Watkins, Fort Smith, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Four. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Linda Thornbrugh, Rudy, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee District Four. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


John Burke, Coal Hill, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Four. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Bryant Wilson, West Helena, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Five. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Mary Eddleman, Carlisle, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Five. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Tyler Griffin, Wynne, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Five. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


William Anderson, DeValls Bluff, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Five. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Ricky Lucas, Earle, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Five. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Katherine Roark, Sherwood, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Six. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Bart Walker, Malvern, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Six. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Doyle Caldwell, Sheridan, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Six. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Sharon Casey, Malvern, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Six. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Dr. Kaleybra Morehead, Pine Bluff, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Six. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Gary Kirkpatrick, Gurdon, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Seven. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Yulonda Sims, Buckner, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Seven. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Richard Oglesby, Wilton, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Seven. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


George Webb, Camden, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Seven. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Vernon Lance, Nashville, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Seven. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Daniel Heflin, Rison, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Eight. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Brian Rodgers, Monticello, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Eight. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Sherman Rochell, Jr., Star City, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Eight. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Ruth Oliver, Hamburg, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District Eight. Appointment will expire on a date to be determined by the drawing of lots at the initial board meeting.


Greg Aleshire, Mena, to the State Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2022. Reappointment.


Kathy Fulks, Perryville, to the State Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2024. Reappointment.


David Stephens, Greenbrier, to the State Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2022. Reappointment.


Karen Breashears, Arkadelphia, to the State Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2022. Reappointment.


Nanci Caillouet, Fort Smith, to the State Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2022. Replaces William Varner.


Bill Roachell, Conway, to the State Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2022. Replaces Mike Watson.


Lindsay Brown, North Little Rock, to the State Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2022. Reappointment.


Kelley Sharp, Farmington, to the State Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee. Appointment expires Dec. 1, 2022. Reappointment.

                            [caption] => 
                            [status] => publish
                            [published_on] => 2019-04-25 11:17:00
                            [updated_on] => 2019-04-25 15:19:07
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                            [title] => Update: Czech Gun Maker Plans $90M HQ at LR Port, 565 Jobs
                            [summary] => Czech gun-maker CZ-USA plans a $90 million gun manufacturing operation and North American headquarters that will employ 565 people at the Little Rock Port, the governor and company officials announce.
                            [content] => 
Czech gun-maker CZ-USA plans a $90 million gun manufacturing operation and North American headquarters that will employ 565 people at the Little Rock Port, the governor and company officials announced Tuesday.


Gov. Asa Hutchinson; Mike Preston, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission; U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark.; Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde; and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. made the announcement at a news conference in the Governor's Conference Room at the state Capitol.


CZ-USA is the U.S. affiliate of Czech firearms manufacturer ÄŒeská zbrojovka a.s. Uherský Brod. It makes handguns, rifles, shotguns and suppressors, including handguns under the Dan Wesson brand. 


The company aims to build a new manufacturing facility on 73 acres at the Port of Little Rock, where workers will make parts, assemble weapons and process orders. In a news release, the company said it would implement a two-phase approach to create hundreds of jobs over a six-year period.


Hutchinson said Tuesday that the new jobs will pay more than $22 per hour. Construction will begin "immediately," with start-up planned for March 2020.


CZ-USA Chairman Bogdan Heczko said the new facility marks a "new chapter for our company."


"As CZ looked to increase our presence in North America, it engaged in a multi-state search for the ideal location," Heczko said. "The Arkansas workforce, culture, business climate and industry support cleared the way for us to choose Little Rock as our new home."


The company already has an office in Kansas City, Missouri, that employs 70 and functions as a warehouse and distribution site and performs small assembly, sales and marketing functions. 


Heczko said the company considered expanding there first but was introduced to Arkansas by the governor and economic development leaders attending the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas.


Hutchinson said officials had breakfast with the company's executives during the trade show. 


"It was at that breakfast that we got things moving. We really saw eye to eye, and I think they understood then the interest that Arkansas had, the commitment that we have, the relationship that you can have with our state," Hutchinson said. "From that meeting grew some very intense negotiations and competition and discussions, but through all of that and through many personal visits to our state, CZ-USA chose Arkansas."


Heczko said the selection process took more than a year and that, at first, Arkansas wasn't a serious contender. But the executives' first visit to the state was a game-changer. 


"After the first visit here, we were really astonished," he said. "We were met with a warm welcome. The big team was really closely cooperating. The big team was really dedicated and involved in the process. We were very surprised. This visit changed our mind."


Preston said Arkansas is providing an array of incentives for the project, including a forgivable loan, a grant from the governor's Quick Action Closing Fund for infrastructure and money for employee training. 


The project also qualifies for AEDC's "Create Rebate," an annual cash rebate based on the number of jobs at the plant, and "Tax Back," which reimburses the company for sales taxes it pays on building materials, machinery and equipment associated with the project.


AEDC provided a breakdown of jobs, capital investment and incentives by project phases:


Phase 1


    

  • 357 jobs plus a total capital investment of $60 million 
    • 

  • $11 million loan
    • 

  • $4 million infrastructure grant
    • 

  • $1.25 million for training assistance
    • 

  • Create Rebate 
    • 

  • Tax Back
    • 



Phase 2 


    

  • 208 jobs plus a total capital investment of $30 million
    • 

  • $7 million loan
    • 

  • $750,000 for training assistance
    • 

  • Create Rebate
    • 

  • Tax Back
    • 



The city of Little Rock and Pulaski County are providing port acreage to the company free of charge, provided it creates the 565 jobs. The city and county are also spending about $4.9 million to make a road there appropriate for industrial use. That infrastructure will be beneficial to CZ-USA and "open up other property" in the area for future industrial economic development project, according to Jay Chesshir, president and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber.


"All of that is being finalized, so those numbers could move a little bit," Chesshir told Arkansas Business. "All of this has been put together in the last month. There's some additional funds we're actually working to secure that would become part of that $4.9 million for the full-road buildout."


The announcement represents the first direct foreign investment in Arkansas from the Czech Republic. The factory will be the first in North America for the company, which exports to more than 90 countries and has 2,000 employees. CZ-USA said it is already seeking applicants for jobs at the plant at LittleRockChamber.com/cz.


The announcement is marks an expansion of Arkansas firearms industry. Arkansas is already home to firearms operations by companies including SIG Sauer, Remington, Walther Arms, Umarex USA and Daisy Outdoor Products.


Watch Video of the Announcement





                            [caption] => Czech gun-maker CZ-USA plans a $90 million gun manufacturing operation and North American headquarters that will employ 565 people at the Little Rock Port. Inset: CZ-USA Chairman Bogdan Heczko and Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
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                            [title] => Regulators Approve Capital Bank Name Change to Encore Bank
                            [summary] => The Capital Bank in Little Rock says that the state Bank Department has approved its name change to Encore Bank.
                            [content] => 
Chris Roberts, chairman and CEO of Capital Bancshares Inc. and The Capital Bank in Little Rock, announced Wednesday that the state Bank Department has approved its name change to Encore Bank.


Roberts said the name change and rebranding is scheduled for May.


"We are excited about all of the positive changes that are planned for 2019 and our decision to change the name to Encore Bank reflects this," Roberts said. "For our team, Encore means a dynamic partnership of banking professionals building a bank that is focused on relationships, culture, and customer service."


Arkansas Business reported on the bank's new strategy in a cover story last week. The change is part of a relaunch the Little Rock bank that includes a $50 million stock offering.


The Capital Bank opened in 1997 and has assets of $174 million. It plans to open a second office next month to expand beyond its west Little Rock headquarters. The 922-SF leased facility is at 5100 Kavanaugh Blvd. in the Heights area of Little Rock


Also this week, First Community Bank of Eastern Arkansas changed its name to Premier Bank. The Marion bank opened in 1998 and had $7.8 million in assets at the end of 2019.

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                            [title] => Conway Airport Meeting Expectations
                            [summary] => Almost five years after it opened, the Conway Municipal Airport at Cantrell Field is living up to expectations, city and economic development officials say.
                            [content] => 
Almost five years after it opened, the Conway Municipal Airport at Cantrell Field is living up to expectations, city and economic development officials say.


The first and most important of those was safety. The old airport, built in the 1930s, was inside the city just off Interstate 40 and was difficult to get in and out of. “There were a lot of aircraft that wouldn’t fly into our old airport because it was scary,” said Jack Bell, interim airport manager.



The new $35 million airport, which opened Sept. 1, 2014, comprises about 430 acres in an area called the Lollie Bottoms in the western part of the city near the Arkansas River.


The airport, which averages 40-50 operations per day, has two hangars for corporate aircraft, each housing two or three but has room for five more, Bell said. Among the corporate jets hangared there are those belonging to Green Bay Packaging, Home BancShares and Preferred Medical. The airport houses about 65 aircraft total.


All of the new airport’s T-hangars are full, said Mayor Bart Castleberry, with a waiting list of about 20. And fuel sales have seen a steady upward trajectory, rising from $623,000 in 2016 to $763,000 last year.


But the airport also has seen some negative publicity in the last few months, with the firings of Airport Manager Josh Zylks and Line Service Supervisor Brandy Parrott for what the city termed rules violations and dishonesty. Police have started a criminal investigation.


Jamie Gates, EVP of the Conway Development Corp., calls the airport a success, saying, “We’ve got capacity for growth, which is something we never had before. We’ve got facilities that meet and often exceed the expectations of people visiting Conway, which is something we never had.”

                            [caption] => Conway Municipal Field at Cantrell Airport
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                            [title] => Aerojet Rocketdyne's New Camden Facility Looks to Future Contracts
                            [summary] => Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO Eileen Drake and Gov. Asa Hutchinson celebrated the defense contractor's new facility designed to help Aerojet compete for a spot in the Pentagon's overhaul of America's ground-based nuclear missile defenses.
                            [content] => 
Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO Eileen Drake and Gov. Asa Hutchinson celebrated at the defense contractor's 800-employee East Camden plant Thursday as the company broke ground on a new facility designed to help Aerojet compete for a spot in the Pentagon's overhaul of America's ground-based nuclear missile defenses.


Based in El Segundo, California, Aerojet Rocketdyne is widely expected to win a multibillion-dollar slice of an $85 billion program to replace the nation's aging fleet of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The East Camden project, on Aerojet's campus in the Highland Industrial Park, is expected to be completed in spring 2020.


The 17,000-SF unit will develop solid rockets and "serve as the developmental gateway to future Aerojet Rocketdyne ... opportunities, to include the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Program," the company said in a statement, using the Pentagon's term for its program to replace Minuteman III missiles, the longtime workhorse of America's ground-based nuclear defenses.


The Department of Defense is expected to seek bids on the missile work as early as this year.


"Once open for business, the Engineering, Manufacturing and Development facility will be the newest and most modern rocket development facility in the nation," Drake said in remarks prepared for the groundbreaking ceremony


As one of just two domestic makers of solid rocket boosters, Aerojet initiated a $50 million, 140-worker expansion in south Arkansas last August. Defense industry analysts say the company is likely to get some ground-based strategic defense work because the Pentagon fears relying on a single supplier for its solid rocket boosters. Aerojet's competitor is Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, which acquired rocket manufacturer Orbital ATK in a deal last June.


The groundbreaking represents the company's latest collaboration with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Calhoun County and the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development.


"The aerospace and defense industry continues to be one of the top economic drivers in Arkansas," Hutchinson said in a statement. On Wednesday, speaking in Fort Smith, the governor called the aerospace and defense industry "our largest single export category," comprising "15.4 percent of our total exports."


He praised south Arkansas' skilled defense workforce and said the state is "thrilled to see Aerojet Rocketdyne continue to grow in Camden, and we appreciate the investments they make in Arkansas and in our nation's security."


The company has had an Arkansas presence since 1979 and now makes 75,000 solid rocket motors a year. Last August's announcement included plans to grow the workforce by about 100, to a total of 900.


"Our longstanding partnership with the great state of Arkansas continues to yield impressive results," Drake said.

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                            [title] => NanoMech Files Plans to Sell Company
                            [summary] => NanoMech Inc. of Springdale, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this month, has filed plans to sell the company at auction in June.
                            [content] => 
NanoMech Inc. of Springdale, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this month, has filed plans to sell the company at auction in June.


In a filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, the company names its biggest creditor, Michaelson Capital Partners of New York, the stalking horse bidder in the auction, and says the company has agreed to make an initial bid of $9 million, plus liabilities, for NanoMech's assets.


"The proposed transaction, if approved, will generate significant value for the Debtor's estate, and among other things, satisfy a significant portion of the prepetition claims against the Debtor and pave the way for the best outcome to this case," the filing said.


NanoMech proposes a June 19 auction, with a bid deadline of June 17. A hearing on the sale would take place June 24.


Michaelson Capital sued NanoMech, which describes itself online as "the world leader in Surface Engineering and Material Science Manufacturing of lubricants." The lawsuit, filed Feb. 4 in New York state court, alleged mismanagement by former CEO Jim Phillips that fueled a shareholder revolt, which preceded Phillips March 1 retirement.

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                            [title] => Multifamily Unit in Little Rock Secures $26.1M Loan
                            [summary] => Grandbridge Real Estate Capital of Charlotte, North Carolina, recently facilitated the closing of a $26.1 million new construction loan secured by The Residences at Harbor Town Apartments, a 175-unit multifamily community in Little Rock.
                            [content] => 
Grandbridge Real Estate Capital of Charlotte, North Carolina, facilitated the closing of a $26.1 million new construction loan secured by The Residences at Harbor Town Apartments, a 175-unit multifamily community in Little Rock.


The firm said the project will be one of the premier multifamily projects in the state, with amenities like access to a marina and walkability to the Clinton Library and downtown.


The permanent, fixed rate loan was funded through FHA’s 221(d)4 loan program. It was structured with a 40-year term and 40-year amortization.


Construction is expected to take about 18 months. 


Local businessman John Burkhalter is the developer for the project and owns the land, which adjoins another development of his, the Rock City Yacht Club and Marina that is currently underway. 


The $30 million marina-apartment project represents a new anchor point to pull more downtown development eastward.


Heiple + Wiedower Architects of Little Rock is the design firm.

                            [caption] => 
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                            [published_on] => 2019-04-24 16:06:00
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                            [title] => Walmart Experiments with AI to Monitor Stores in Real Time
                            [summary] => Walmart, facing fierce competition from Amazon and other online retailers, is experimenting with digitizing its physical stores to manage them more efficiently, keep costs under control and make the shopping experience more pleasant.
                            [content] => 
LEVITTOWN, N.Y. — Who's minding the store? In the not-too-distant future it could be cameras and sensors that can tell almost instantly when bruised bananas need to be swapped for fresh ones and more cash registers need to open before lines get too long.


Walmart, which faces fierce competition from Amazon and other online retailers, is experimenting with digitizing its physical stores to manage them more efficiently, keep costs under control and make the shopping experience more pleasant. On Thursday, the retail giant will open its Intelligent Retail Lab inside a 50,000-square-foot Neighborhood Market grocery store on Long Island.


Thousands of cameras suspended from the ceiling, combined with other technology like sensors on shelves, will monitor the store in real time so its workers can quickly replenish products or fix other problems.


The technology, shown first to The Associated Press, will also be able to spot spills, track when shelves need to be restocked and known when shopping carts are running low.


Walmart's deep dive into artificial intelligence in its physical store comes as Amazon raised the stakes in the grocery business with its purchase of Whole Foods Market nearly two years ago.


That's put more pressure on Walmart and other traditional retailers like Kroger and Albertsons to pour money into technology in their stores. At the same time, they're trying to keep food prices down and manage expenses. Amazon has been rolling out cashier-less Amazon Go stores , which have shelf sensors that track the 1,000 products on their shelves.


Walmart's online U.S. sales are still a fraction of Amazon's online global merchandise empire, which reached $122.98 billion last year.


Walmart hopes to start scaling some of the new technology at other stores in the next six months, with an eye toward lower costs and thus lower prices. As the shopping experience improves, the retailer expects to see higher sales.


"We really like to think of this store as an artificial intelligence factory, a place where we are building these products, experiences, where we are testing and learning," said Mike Hanrahan, CEO of Walmart's Intelligent Retail Lab and co-founder of Jet.com, purchased by Walmart three years ago.


Hanrahan says the cameras are programmed to focus primarily on the products and shelves right now. They do not recognize faces, determine the ethnicity of a person picking up a product or track the movement of shoppers, he says. Some other companies have recently started experimenting with store shelf cameras that try to guess shoppers' ages, genders and moods.


There are signs throughout the Neighborhood Market educating shoppers about how it is being used as a lab. Still, the cameras could raise privacy concerns.


"Machine learning fundamentally finds and matches patterns," says Steven M. Bellovin, a computer science professor at Columbia University and a privacy expert, who hasn't seen the new Walmart AI Lab. But he says companies run into trouble when they start to match behavior to a specific customer.


Hanrahan says Walmart has made sure to protect shoppers' privacy and emphasized that there are no cameras at the pharmacy, in front of the rest rooms or in employee breakrooms.


The lab is Walmart's second in a physical store. A glass enclosed data center at the back of the store houses nine cooling towers, 100 servers and other computer equipment that processes all the data.


Last year, Walmart's Sam's Club opened a 32,000 square foot lab store, a quarter of the size of a typical Sam's Club. The lab is testing new features surrounding the Scan & Go App, which lets customers scan items as they shop and then buy from their phones, skipping the checkout line.


The retail lab is the third project from Walmart's new incubation arm, created after the Jet.com acquisition as a way for the discounter to shape the future of retail.


It follows the launch of Jetblack, a shopping by text service aimed at affluent shoppers in New York. Walmart's second incubation project was Spatial&, a VR tech company. As part of the launch, it's bringing tractor-trailers to some of Walmart parking lots so customers can experience DreamWorks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon" through virtual reality.


Hanrahan says the company is embracing the labs in stores to better understand the real ways that technology affects customers and workers. It also wants to educate shoppers. Walmart has made a point to not hide the technology, and small educational kiosks are set up throughout the Neighborhood Market.


Despite the signs and visible cameras, many shoppers, including Marcy Seinberg from Wantagh, New York, didn't seem to notice or care.


"I am not bothered by it," Seinberg said. "If technology saves me money, I would be interested."


(All contents © copyright 2019 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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                            [title] => Travel Nurse Across America Announces 2 Promotions
                            [summary] => Travel Nurse Across America in North Little Rock has hired Tim McKenzie as president and CEO, effective May 1. He most recently served as the company's chief growth officer.
                            [content] => 
Travel Nurse Across America in North Little Rock has promoted Tim McKenzie to president and CEO, effective May 1. He most recently served as the company's chief growth officer.


"I'm surrounded by top, industry-leading professionals and will continue empowering them to excel. I believe we have so much to offer our nurses and clients. I look forward to evaluating new ideas, markets and unique offerings to those we serve," McKenzie said in a news release.


Gene Scott, who has been president and CEO since 2008, has been promoted to executive chairman.


McKenzie joined TNAA in 2017 as chief innovation officer and chief growth officer. He has more than 30 years of executive leadership in data-driven marketing services.


"Tim McKenzie has a proven record of executive leadership over all aspects of marketing, operations, client services, and technology teams," Scott said in a news release. "He is competent, sincere, humble and driven. Tim comes with the experience of having previously grown a company to great heights. I believe in his vision."

                            [caption] => 
                            [status] => publish
                            [published_on] => 2019-04-24 13:20:00
                            [updated_on] => 2019-04-24 14:40:21
                            [created_on] => 2019-04-24 13:21:53
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                            [title] => Waco Title Announces Move to New Office
                            [summary] => Waco Title is moving into a new location at 302 E. Parkway Drive, Ste A-1, in Russellville.
                            [content] => 
Waco Title is moving into a new location at 302 E. Parkway Drive, Ste A-1, in Russellville.


The firm said the office, which opens on April 29 and will be managed by Bart Shaw, provides a larger, more convenient location for “our central Arkansas customers and further enhances our ever- growing presence in Arkansas.”

                            [caption] => 
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                            [published_on] => 2019-04-25 09:27:00
                            [updated_on] => 2019-04-25 09:28:59
                            [created_on] => 2019-04-25 09:28:59
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                            [title] => HFA Announces New Leadership as Longtime CEO Steps Down
                            [summary] => Harrison French is stepping down from his long-held title, CEO of architectural and engineering firm HFA in Bentonville.
                            [content] => 
Harrison French is stepping down from his long-held title, CEO of architectural and engineering firm HFA in Bentonville.


During a ceremony on April 17, he announced to his staff of more than 230 that he is handing over the reins to Dave Wilgus, principal and vice president of architecture, effective May 1.


Harrison will hold the title of chairman of the board.


In addition, Principal and Vice President of Engineering Ryan Ray has been named COO, also effective May 1.


Principal and President Larry Lott will become the firm's chief innovations officer. Vice Presidents Chris Horton and Lou Allevato will continue to serve on HFA's board of directors.

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                            [title] => Roy Anderson Corp. Gets $200M Southland Expansion Contract
                            [summary] => Tutor Perini Corp. of Los Angeles says its subsidiary, Roy Anderson Corp., has been awarded a $200 million contract to add a new casino complex and hotel at Southland Gaming and Racing Park in West Memphis.
                            [content] => 
Tutor Perini Corp. of Los Angeles, a civil, building and specialty construction company, announced Tuesday that its subsidiary, Roy Anderson Corp., has been awarded a $200 million contract to add a new casino complex and hotel at Southland Gaming and Racing Park in West Memphis.


The contract was awarded by Southland owner Delaware North of Buffalo, New York. The project includes a 20-story, 300-room hotel. The 240,000-SF casino complex includes a larger buffet and steakhouse restaurants, a new food hall, a coffee shop and a player lounge.


In a news release, Tutor said work on the project would begin "immediately," with "substantial completion" expected in January 2021.


Southland officially announced expansion plans last fall after Arkansas voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling at Southland, Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs and two other sites in Jefferson and Pope counties.


Southland, which opened in 1956 as a greyhound racetrack, aims to create “the Mid-South region’s premier casino." The expansion will add as many as 60 live table games and 400 gaming machines to the current 2,000. Lou Jacobs, co-CEO of Delaware North, said in January that the expansion “represents the largest ever investment in a casino in Arkansas and one of the largest for a hospitality project."


Oaklawn, a 114-year-old thoroughbred track that is already the state's top visitor draw, announced a $100 million casino-and-hotel expansion on Nov. 19. It said casino gaming will be "another amenity" to bolster racing.


Also Tuesday, Warner Gaming, a hospitality and entertainment company, said it has teamed up with the Hard Rock brand to propose a new resort and casino for Pope County. The partnership plans to file its application with the Arkansas Racing Commission in May, which will include more details of the project. Voters in Pope County voted against the constitutional amendment to allow gambling.


Publicly traded Tutor Perini (NYSE: TPC) offers diversified general contracting and design-build services to clients around the world.

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                            [published_on] => 2019-04-23 11:29:00
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                            [title] => Mike Preston: Forrest City Yarn Factory on Hold Amid Trade Fight
                            [summary] => Two major economic development projects in Arkansas are caught up in the trade fight between the United States and China, and one is now on hold, Arkansas' economic development office said Monday.
                            [content] => 
Two major economic development projects in Arkansas are caught up in the trade fight between the United States and China, and one is now on hold, Arkansas' economic development office said Monday.


In 2017, Shandong Ruyi Technology Group announced it would revamp the old Sanyo television plant in Forrest City, turning the 1.4 million-SF plant into a cotton-yard factory and employing up to 800 people. 


But Mike Preston, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published Sunday that the project is on hold amid uncertainty about a new trade deal between the United States and China.


The Journal reported that another project — Shandong Sun Paper Industry's $1.8 billion plan to build a plant to produce linerboard for shipping boxes near Arkadelphia — had also been postponed. But Brandi Hinkle, the AEDC's director of communications, told Arkansas Business that the project is moving ahead.


"Sun Paper is still a go," Hinkle said. As Arkansas Business reported in December, the company changed its original plans for the plant — to produce bleached dissolving pulp used to make rayon — causing it to begin the permitting process anew. Hinkle said the company is still going through the permitting process with the state Department of Environmental Quality.


In Forrest City, Ruyi Technology Group planned to refashion the former television factory into a vast yarn factory capable of consuming Arkansas' entire annual cotton crop. The $410 million project was expected to be up and running by the end of last year.


In the Journal interview, Preston blamed the delay on the trade fight between the two countries.


"This is the heart of the Mississippi Delta, an area that could really utilize the jobs," Preston said, according to the Journal article. "But the timeline has been a moving target. It's been delayed significantly…they can get cotton from other countries and I think that’s what they’ve been doing." 


Ruyi officials didn't respond to requests for comment.


Hinkle told Arkansas Business on Monday that the state is hopeful that the Forrest City project will come back online once the countries reach a new trade agreement. She noted that Ruyi still owns the property.


In all, investment between China and the U.S. has declined amid the trade fight. The Journal reported that investment flow between the countries fell to $19 billion last year, from $60 billion in 2016.

                            [caption] => Shandong Ruyi Technology Group of China planned to convert Forrest City's old Sanyo TV plant, covering 1.4 million SF, into a cotton yarn mill. The project is now on hold.
                            [status] => publish
                            [published_on] => 2019-04-22 11:54:00
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                            [url] => article/126467/chambers-bancshares-to-acquire-river-town-bank
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                            [title] => Chambers Bancshares to Acquire River Town Bank
                            [summary] => Chambers Bancshares Inc. of Danville said Wednesday that has agreed to acquire Bank of Dardanelle Bankshares Inc., the parent company of River Town Bank.
                            [content] => 
Chambers Bancshares Inc. of Danville said Wednesday that has agreed to acquire Bank of Dardanelle Bankshares Inc., the parent company of River Town Bank.


Financial terms of the transaction, set to close mid-summer, were not disclosed. The deal will merge the two remaining banks chartered in Yell County and make River Town Bank a subsidiary of Chambers Bancshares. 


The companies said River Town will continue to operate as a separate bank until the banking systems are converted and the banks are merged under the Chambers Bank name, which is expected in the fourth quarter.


"Chambers Bank is a respected and financially sound community bank," Blake Tarpley, president and CEO of River Town Bank, said in a news release. "We believe that the commitment the organization has shown to its employees, customers and the communities it serves in Arkansas will be positive for River Town employees and our customers. We look forward to working with the team at Chambers to make this a successful and seamless transition for everyone involved."


Founded in 1934, River Town Bank has branches in Atkins, Conway, Danville, Dardanelle, Dover and Russellville. It had assets of $132 million at the end of 2018.


The purchase will bring Chambers Bank's total asset size to more than $950 million and add four Arkansas communities to its footprint. The company, founded in 1930, has 18 branches.


"Both banks were founded in the 1930s in Yell County and have shared values of exceptional customer service, community support and — most importantly — trust," said John E. Chambers III, chairman of Chambers Bancshares. "River Town Bank customers can be assured that we will continue to offer the hometown service and hometown values to which they've grown accustomed, but with even more locations and financial products."

                            [caption] => 
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                            [published_on] => 2019-04-24 09:42:00
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                            [title] => Total Pay for Walmart CEO Doug McMillon Hits $23.6M
                            [summary] => Walmart Inc. President and CEO C. Douglas McMillon saw his total compensation increase 3.6% to $23.6 million for the fiscal year that ended Jan. 31 compared with the previous year.
                            [content] => 
Walmart Inc. President and CEO C. Douglas McMillon saw his total compensation increase 3.6% to $23.6 million for the fiscal year that ended Jan. 31 compared with the previous year.


McMillon, who has been head of the Bentonville retailer since February 2014, received stock awards of $15.6 million during the fiscal year, according to the company's annual proxy. McMillon received a $5.1 million bonus. His salary was $1.3 million, the same as it was the previous year.


The annual total compensation of Walmart's median associate was $21,952, which was up 14.5% from the previous year. The ratio of McMillon's total compensation to the median associate's was 1,076-to-1. Most of McMillon's total compensation includes the stock awards of $15.6 million, which has not yet been earned or paid but will be determined based on Walmart hitting its goals.


The company set 10:30 a.m. June 5 as the date for its annual shareholders' meeting, which will be held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. An Associates/Shareholders Celebration will be held at 8 a.m. on June 7 at the Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.


The proxy also showed that M. Brett Biggs, Walmart's chief financial officer, had total compensation of $9.4 million, an increase of 24.1% from the previous year. He had a salary of $892,948, stock awards of $5.7 million and a bonus of $2.2 million.


Gregory Foran, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., received $13.5 million in total compensation, up from $11 million the previous year. His base salary slightly increased to $1.1 million. He received stock awards valued at $8.8 million, up from $6.7 million the previous year. His bonus was $2.9 million.


John R. Furner, president and CEO of the Sam’s Club division, had a compensation package worth $9.3 million, which was down from $12.8 million the previous year. His salary was $799,425, and he received $6.3 million in stock options and a $1.8 million bonus. 


Judith McKenna, president and CEO of Walmart International, had a compensation package worth $9.3 million. Her base salary was $1 million, and she had stock awards worth $9.2 million and a bonus of $2.3 million. This is the first time McKenna appeared on the list of named executives.


Board Changes


The Walmart board has nominated Cesar Conde, 45, who is chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and NBCUniversal International Group, to become a new director. 


Walmart’s board recommends that shareholders approve hiring Ernst & Young LLP as the company’s accountants for the fiscal year that ends Jan. 31. The New York accounting firm earned $28.1 million in fees in Walmart’s fiscal year, up from $24.4 million the previous year. 

                            [caption] => Doug McMillon
                            [status] => publish
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                            [title] => First Security Expands in Russellville; Southern Bancorp Makes Push Into Glenwood
                            [summary] => First Security is increasing its presence in Russellville. Arkadelphia's Southern Bancorp Bank is continuing its branch expansion into southwest Arkansas via Glenwood.
                            [content] => 
First Security Bank is increasing its presence in Russellville. The new full-service branch at 209 W. Main St. will be its second location in the $1 billion-deposit market.


First Security holds a 0.77% market share with nearly $8 million in deposits. That’s No. 9 among 10 lenders with offices in Russellville.


The five largest shares of Russellville deposits are held by Centennial Bank, 25% totaling $258.6 million; First State Bank of Russellville, 17.8% totaling $184.3 million; Arvest Bank, 15.8% totaling $164.3 million; Regions Bank of Birmingham, Alabama, 14% totaling $145.4 million; and Simmons Bank of Pine Bluff, 13.7% totaling $142 million.


First Security, supported by a staff of 842, reported net income of $108 million last year. The $5.2 billion-asset lender generated profits of $124 million in 2017.


Glenwood Move
Arkadelphia’s Southern Bancorp Bank is continuing its branch expansion into southwest Arkansas via Glenwood.


The planned office at 118 Elm St. follows De Queen’s First State Bank taking steps to enter the $112.9 million-deposit market.


The moves will double the competitive field in Glenwood where Diamond Bank held 73.4% of deposits totaling $82.9 million and Arvest Bank held nearly 26.6% totaling $30 million.

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                            [title] => Trio Gathers New Money to Relaunch Capital Bank as Encore
                            [summary] => As chairman and CEO, Chris Roberts is leading the campaign to rebrand and relaunch Capital Bank with a $50 million stock offering. The 50-year-old banker considers his recent move from Simmons Bank to be a curtain call on his 27-year lending career.
                            [content] => 
A procession of meetings has filled the past 40 days for Chris Roberts, with many more to come. In addition to assembling an executive team and hiring more staffers at Capital Bank, Roberts has busied himself calling on prospective investors.


As chairman and CEO, he is leading the campaign to rebrand and relaunch the Little Rock bank with a $50 million stock offering. The 50-year-old banker considers his recent move from Simmons Bank to Capital Bank to be a curtain call on his 27-year lending career.


Along the way, Roberts was president of Delta Trust & Bank in Little Rock, founding CEO of Little Rock’s Centennial Bank and most recently EVP of wealth management and private banking at Simmons.


“This is my last performance,” Roberts said, a phrase that inspired the bank’s pending name change.


He intends to deploy the new moniker and new money to transform the $161 million-asset Capital Bank into a large community bank, Encore Bank.


“We’re trying to raise capital all over Arkansas,” said Phillip Jett, who joined Roberts at the bank in March as vice chairman and president.


Visits to Dallas and Nashville, Tennessee, are on tap to court new investors as well. The plan is to expand the shareholder roster from a couple dozen to between 300 and 400.


“We’re calling on our small army of investors to help drive business to us,” Roberts said. “Our model is to leverage our shareholders and our team’s contacts to grow the bank.”




Biggest Shareholders
Capital Bancshares Inc.





Boyd Rothwell
23.7%




Warren and Martha Stephenson
14%




Claude and Mary Ballard
9.4%




M&P Community Bancshares Inc.*
7.7%




Joseph Park IRA and J&S Park Investment Co. LLC**
6%




Jack Hartsell
5.3%




Dr. Joseph Murphy
5%





*Holding company of Newport’s Merchants & Planters Bank
 **Combined ownership stake


Little Rock investors dominate Capital Bank’s current roster of stockholders that includes two banking organizations: M&P Community Bancshares Inc. and Riverside Bank of Sparkman (Dallas County).


M&P, holding company for the $264 million-asset Merchants & Planters Bank of Newport, owns 7.7 percent. The $62 million-asset Riverside Bank holds a 2.7 percent stake in Capital Bancshares.


As part of the Capital-to-Encore transition, Roberts and Jett will buy a large portion of shares held by the bank’s largest stockholders: Boyd Rothwell and Warren Stephenson. Together, they hold a near 40 percent stake in Capital Bancshares, the bank’s parent company.


Roberts first met with Stephenson and Rothwell to talk about joining the bank to do some strategic work. Those talks evolved into the current reshaping of Capital Bank.


Roberts marks the fifth executive to lead the bank during its 21-year run.


Last year, the top post had a revolving-door quality as three bankers came and went at Capital Bank. In June, Troy Duke succeeded his twin brother, Tracy, who had replaced Kyle Patton earlier in 2018.


Patton had held the posts of president and CEO at Capital Bank since early 2003. He was promoted from senior vice president to replace the bank’s founding president and CEO, Joe B. Ford.



Capital Bank will open a second office in May to expand beyond its west Little Rock headquarters. The 922-SF leased facility is at 5100 Kavanaugh Blvd. in the Heights area of Little Rock


“We will be branch light and relying on technology,” Roberts said of plans to selective roll out brick and mortar.


“We want to take the bank to our customers through an app online or meet them with a branch,” added Burt Hicks, senior EVP, chief operating officer and general counsel at Capital Bank.


Before moving to Capital, Hicks was president and CEO of the Simmons First Investment Group. Jett was president of IberiaBank’s central and northwest Arkansas markets.


Roberts, Jett and Hicks all sported blue wristbands with the “We win together” credo during a visit. The elastic message reflects the group’s efforts to establish a new mindset with a staff that has grown from nine to 20 since January.


“We have the opportunity to really hone in on our culture,” Jett said. “We want to make sure that every staffer has an ownership stake in the bank. This will be literal shares, so that their efforts are aligned with ours.”








Banks Take Different Paths


Little Rock’s Capital Bank is one of two banks remaining from the six-member Arkansas de novo class of 1997. Capital began operations Sept. 8, the fifth of the new lenders to open shop that year.


Investors opened their wallets to the tune of $28 million to capitalize the six new banks during 1996-97. Capital Bank was launched with $3.9 million.


Four classmates sold while Batesville’s First Community Bank and Capital Bank have followed very different growth trajectories.


Total assets at First Community stood at $64 million at the end of its first full year of operation in 1998. At year-end 2018, the bank’s tally stood at $1.4 billion.


Capital Bank reported $37 million in total assets at Dec. 31, 1998. The bank finished 2018 at $161 million.


New Banks Opened in 1997
In chronological order by opening date






 
 
Capitalization
CEO




Jan. 27
Pinnacle Bank, Little Rock
$7.3M
Bob Althoff




May 5
Alliance Bank, Hot Springs
$4.1M
David Bartlett




July 25
River Valley Bank, Russellville
$3.3M
James Biggers




Aug. 4
First Community Bank, Batesville
$3.4M
Dale Cole




Sept. 8
Capital Bank, Little Rock
$3.9M
Joseph B. Ford




Oct. 30
Community First Bank, Harrison
$6M
William King Gladden











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                            [title] => Eric Rob & Isaac Adds Katie Kemp (Movers & Shakers)
                            [summary] => Katie Kemp has joined Eric Rob & Isaac in Little Rock as a copywriter.
                            [content] => 
Katie Kemp has joined Eric Rob & Isaac in Little Rock as a copywriter.


Kemp had been an intern and freelancer with the agency since 2017 while she completed bachelor’s degrees in mass communication and Spanish at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia.


She also attended the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.




Scott Mosley has been awarded a Certified Associate in Project Management Certification by the Project Management Institute, a trade organization for professional project managers with more than 300 local chapters internationally.


Mosley is a senior project manager and brand strategist for CJRW in Little Rock.




See more of this week's Movers & Shakers, and submit your own announcement at ArkansasBusiness.com/Movers.

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                            [title] => Former OZK Exec Tyler Vance Taking Inspired Advance
                            [summary] => Former Bank OZK COO Tyler Vance says he's beginning a new chapter in his life, becoming a pastor at Fellowship Bible Church's Cabot campus.
                            [content] => 
Three weeks ago, Whispers told you that Tyler Vance had given notice that he would leave Bank OZK, where he’s worked since 2006 and been chief operating officer since 2013.


Now we can tell you what his plan is.


The info comes straight from the horse’s email:


“Beginning in June, I will start a new adventure as Discipleship Pastor for Fellowship Bible Church Cabot. This is a campus of the Fellowship Bible Church in West Little Rock.


“The Bible tells us in Proverbs 19:21 that, ‘many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.’


I want to always be about his purposes in my life, so I have great confidence that God in his perfect timing has interrupted my banking plans and placed his purpose before me.


“While in some ways it has been a difficult decision to leave a successful 23-year career in the financial services industry and my great Bank OZK teammates, I know that God’s plan is always the best plan.”

                            [caption] => 
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                            [published_on] => 2019-04-22 00:00:00
                            [updated_on] => 2019-04-22 09:43:23
                            [created_on] => 2019-04-18 17:15:01
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                            [url] => article/120820/10-years-later-lrpd-investigation-of-glasgow-disapperance-still-open-and-ongoing
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                            [title] => 10 Years Later, Investigation of Glasgow Disapperance 'Still Open and Ongoing'
                            [summary] => The 10th anniversary late last month of the disappearance of Little Rock construction executive John Glasgow prompted Whispers to make a Freedom of Information Act request for the Little Rock Police Department's investigative file.
                            [content] => 
The 10th anniversary late last month of the disappearance of Little Rock construction executive John Glasgow prompted Whispers to make a Freedom of Information Act request for the Little Rock Police Department’s investigative file.


Glasgow’s remains were discovered in Petit Jean State Park in March 2015, but the medical examiner was unable to determine a cause of death.


It took a couple of weeks to get a final answer from Sgt. Rebecca Junkins:


“I am sorry to inform you that I will not be able to fulfill your Freedom of Information request. I have checked with the Major Crimes division and been advised that the case is still open and ongoing.”

                            [caption] => 
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                            [published_on] => 2018-02-19 00:00:00
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                            [url] => article/126488/air-products-big-river-steel-announce-expansion-extension
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                            [title] => Air Products, Big River Steel Announce Expansion, Extension
                            [summary] => Air Products, an industrial gas company, announces an agreement to build, own and operate a second air separation unit that will support expansion of Big River Steel's plant in Osceola.
                            [content] => 
As Big River Steel commences its expansion it can be sure that all the elements will be in place.


On Monday, Air Products, an industrial gas company, announced an agreement to build, own and operate a second air separation unit (ASU) that will support expansion of Big River Steel's plant in Osceola.


Air Products has supplied Big River Steel with oxygen, nitrogen and argon — elements vital to producing steel — since opening its first ASU in 2016, when Big River Steel began production.


The new unit is scheduled to begin operating in January of 2021 and will also provide oxygen, nitrogen and argon to the merchant market. Air Products and Big River Steel also extended by several years their long-term industrial gas supply contract.


Financial terms of the project were not disclosed.


In June of last year, Big River Steel announced a $1.2 billion expansion of its scrap recycling and steel production facility in Osceola. The project will double the company’s hot-rolled steel production capacity to 3.3 million tons annually and create around 500 jobs.


The new ASU will be capable of producing more than 250 tons per day of oxygen and other liquid products, which will be a plus for Air Products' liquid bulk business that caters to a growing merchant market, as well as being a plus for Big River Steel.  


"Big River Steel is pleased with Air Products' performance and I look forward to expanding our relationship as Big River Steel doubles its steel making capacity," said company CEO David Stickler in a statement.


Air Products, headquartered in Pennsylvania, has been in operation for 75 years and provides gases and equipment to industries that include refining, metals, chemicals, manufacturing, food and beverage and electronics.


With more than 300 plants in more than 40 countries, Air Products saw sales of $8.9 billion in 2018.


"One of our core company goals is to provide excellent customer service and we believe that a second ASU and contract extension with Big River is a good indication we are meeting that goal," said Marie Ffolkes, president, Americas, at Air Products.

                            [caption] => 
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                            [published_on] => 2019-04-24 14:07:00
                            [updated_on] => 2019-04-24 14:10:39
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                            [url] => article/118557/new-beginnings-for-kids-ceo-chirie-bazzelle
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                            [title] => New Beginnings for Kids, CEO Chirie Bazzelle
                            [summary] => When Chirie Bazzelle bought New Beginnings Behavioral Services in 2010, she became the only woman and the only African-American to be the sole owner of a behavioral health company in Arkansas.
                            [content] => 
Chirie Bazzelle spent her career working for others in the behavioral health field before the opportunity arose in 2010 to buy New Beginnings Behavioral Services LLC of Little Rock.


When Bazzelle, 45, made the purchase, she became the only woman and the only African-American to be the sole owner of a behavioral health company in Arkansas.


New Beginnings has been growing ever since.


Bazzelle declined to release revenue figures, but the client list has grown from about 60 to more than 600. New Beginnings opened its second location, in Rison (Cleveland County), in 2016. The company also recently started serving students in the Pine Bluff School District.


New Beginnings has outgrown the 4,000-SF building that it leases in Little Rock and is buying a 11,000-SF headquarters in west Little Rock. That deal is expected to close this month.


The company — with 77 employees, including licensed therapists — treats children and adults with problems such as anger management, anxiety, depression and grief.


It also treats children with complex trauma. “We have a lot of kids whose parents have been killed in front of them,” Bazzelle said. Other children have seen their parents taking drugs.


Bazzelle said it’s not difficult to go to work when children have been suffering. “It’s a passion to be able to help them,” she said. “So whenever I see … the little kids and talk to them, they give me more energy.”


The course of therapy treatments, which can take place in the children’s schools or at the New Beginnings office, depends on several factors, but therapy can continue for years.


Bazzelle said one of the reasons for the company’s success is her firsthand involvement with not only the teachers who work for her, but also the parents of patients. “I meet a lot of the parents, so they’re able to actually meet the CEO of a company where their child is being provided services, and that makes them feel good,” she said.


The Little Rock native graduated from Philander Smith College in Little Rock in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 1999 with a master’s in community counseling.


Bazzelle worked in juvenile and adult correctional facilities and with the U.S. Probation Office in Little Rock for nearly 10 years before she bought New Beginnings.


One of the most difficult aspects of purchasing the company was actually running the business, she said. “My background is in counseling,” Bazzelle said. “I do not have a business background whatsoever.”


However, she said, she received help from attorneys with business operations and keeping up with changes in Medicaid, which, along with private insurance, accounts for some of her revenue streams.


Despite the challenges, owning a business has been “great for me,” she said, and it has the potential to have a positive impact on her young clients, many of whom are African-Americans. Her status as a business owner shows the children that they, too, can become business owners or CEOs if they work hard, Bazzelle said.


She said she expects continued growth for the company in Pulaski, Jefferson and Cleveland counties.


“The need is there,” Bazzelle said. “There are so many adults and children out there suffering right now. … We’re here to try to help provide services to those at those times.”

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                            [updated_on] => 2017-09-08 09:10:36
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                            [title] => Merger to Add First Delta Bank Branches to Armor Bank in 2020
                            [summary] => Big Creek Bancshares Inc., parent company of Armor Bank of Forrest City, says that it will purchase Tyronza Bancshares Inc., parent company of First Delta Bank of Marked Tree.
                            [content] => 
Big Creek Bancshares Inc., parent company of Armor Bank of Forrest City, said Thursday that it will purchase Tyronza Bancshares Inc., parent company of First Delta Bank of Marked Tree.


Financial terms of the deal, which requires regulatory approvals and the approval of Tyronza Bancshares shareholders, were not disclosed.


Under the agreement, First Delta Bank will become a subsidiary bank of Big Creek Bancshares but operate as a separate bank until the first quarter of 2020. After that, First Delta Bank branches will become branches of Armor Bank.


The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.


"Armor Bank has taken great pride in serving eastern Arkansas customers for more than a century and we are delighted to welcome First Delta's clients and its employees into the Armor family," Chad May, Armor Bank's president and CEO, said in a news release. "First Delta has a longstanding tradition of being a true community banking partner in the markets that they serve. The alignment of our core values of client service, along with our offerings of enhanced digital banking capabilities and strong client-focused banking team, will help us continue to serve and give back to the communities we operate in."


May said no changes to customer accounts will made until next year.


Armor Bank had $90.5 million dollars in assets as of March 31. It has one full-service location and one drive-up location in Forrest City. In February, it opened its first full-service location in Little Rock.


First Delta Bank, established in 1951, had $59.6 million in assets as of March 31. The bank has three full-service locations in Marked Tree, Tyronza and Trumann.

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                            [published_on] => 2019-04-19 10:30:00
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                            [title] => Arkansas Sues 3 Drug Distributors Over Opioid Crisis
                            [summary] => Attorney General Leslie Rutledge sues three drug distributors for their alleged role in the opioid crisis, claiming the companies failed to monitor and report suspicious shipments of opioids into the state.
                            [content] => 
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' attorney general on Thursday sued three drug distributors for their alleged role in the opioid crisis, claiming the companies failed to monitor and report suspicious shipments of opioids into the state.


Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed the lawsuit in Pulaski County Circuit Court against Cardinal Health, McKesson Corporation and AmerisourceBergen. The lawsuit claims the companies' conduct has cost consumers and the state millions of dollars in payments for opioid orders that were illegal, misrepresented, unfair or harmful to consumers.


Arkansas had the second-highest opioid prescribing rate in the country in 2016, with enough delivered to supply every person in the state with 78 doses each, according to the lawsuit.


"Distributors fueled the explosion of opioids in Arkansas and enabled illegitimate avenues to flourish," Rutledge said at a news conference announcing the lawsuit. "Many of these companies have profited substantially from the sale and distribution of opioids within Arkansas, and they should be held accountable."


The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and restitution, but does not specify how much. It also asks the court to enjoin the companies from directly or indirectly failing to comply with state and federal law requiring monitoring and reporting of suspicious opioid distributions to the state.


Representatives of AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health did not immediately respond to requests for comment. McKesson did not comment directly on the lawsuit but said it maintains and continually enhances "strong programs designed to detect and prevent opioid diversion within the pharmaceutical supply chain."


The suit is the second Rutledge, a Republican, has filed against companies over opioid abuse. Last year she sued three opioid manufacturers on behalf of the state.


At least 40 states have sued drug companies over the toll of the opioid crisis in the highest profile suits out of some 2,000 filed by government entities. Most of the states' suits have focused on manufacturers — and many of them only Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin. But increasingly the states are doing what local governments are in their most of their opioid suits: going after distributors, too. With the filing in Arkansas, at least 15 states now have suits pending against one or more distributors. Most of those states have sued the same three distributors Arkansas targeted in its suit Thursday.


The lawsuits argue that the companies — which are massive even if they're not household names — shipped orders that they saw as suspicious, helping inundate some communities with powerful painkillers that were diverted to the black market.


"Without defendants' actions, opioid use would not have become so widespread, and the enormous public health hazard of opioid overuse, abuse and addiction that now exists would have been averted," Arkansas' latest lawsuit said.


Four states — Delaware, Florida, Kentucky and New Mexico — have also sued pharmacies. Rutledge on Thursday didn't rule out additional actions, including against pharmacies, in what she called a "multifaceted" approach. Rutledge said there haven't been any settlement discussions with the manufacturers the state sued last year.


Associated Press Writer Geoff Mulvihill in New Jersey contributed to this report.


(All contents © copyright 2019 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

                            [caption] => Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge
                            [status] => publish
                            [published_on] => 2019-04-25 13:37:00
                            [updated_on] => 2019-04-25 15:16:56
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                            [title] => Wanted: Job in Radio. Experience: Legendary.
                            [summary] => Tom Wood may be an Arkansas radio icon, but he's also one who's unemployed, a casualty of modern radio's big chain era.
                            [content] => 
The voice on the phone jolted me back four decades, to 1980, freshman year at the University of Central Arkansas. The adult world was enchantingly new, and so was an FM station called Magic 105.


And the first voice I heard on the station was Tom Wood’s, spinning up hits by Blondie, the Stones and Pink Floyd.


Now Wood is an Arkansas radio icon, but unemployed. He was let go April 10 by iHeartMedia, a casualty of modern radio’s big chain era. Freed in the 1990s from FCC rules capping ownership at one AM station and one FM station per market, chains now dominate the industry.


“All power to corporate radio,” Wood said. “I don’t blame them for snapping up hundreds of stations after deregulation.” But as he told Michael Hibblen of KUAR-FM, he hopes the chains soon see that the money is in the top 50 U.S. markets, and allow midmarket stations (Little Rock ranks about 85th) to revert to local ownership.


Wood’s warm Midwestern voice still rings with optimism, and he expects to leverage his celebrated leadership at KMJX, 105.1, into a new job. For one thing, he helped make a star of another Arkansas survivor, Tommy Smith, now of KABZ-FM, The Buzz.


“I’m just looking for the next adventure,” Wood told Arkansas Business, “hoping to stay in Little Rock and stay on the air. I was bitten by the radio bug as a kid. My first job was in 1972, while I was at Southern Illinois University.”


In 1979, he moved from Illinois to build Magic 105 with its founding partners, Dick Booth and Gordon Heiges. “They said they had a station licensed to Conway, cleared by the FCC to move the transmitter closer to Little Rock.” It took a year to finish the building and hire a staff, with Wood, Booth and Heiges speeding construction by hanging sheetrock.


“I wasn’t a financial partner,” Wood said. “I was 26 years old. I had an uncle in finance in Chicago, and I asked if it was possible to borrow $10,000 to get in. He did some research and came back to tell me that broadcasting was the worst investment. He was kind, but said there was no way I’d get the loan.”


Smith was one of Wood’s first hires, along with Sandy O’Connor, Michael P. (Langley), Jessie (Karen Green) and Sharpe Dunaway, now owner of Sharpe Videography in Conway.


“What strikes me now is how different it was,” Wood said. “Live personalities around the clock, being proactive to the community. It was the kind of necessary communication that the internet provides today. Gratifying, and tons of fun.”


Wood took the morning shift while Smith blossomed in the afternoons, drawing audiences with a fresh and provocatively funny approach. “We concluded he should be the morning star. The trick was convincing him to get up at 5 a.m.”


Smith set his alarm and became king of Little Rock radio for years, Wood said.


“We had a well-oiled machine, and we knew how to not screw it up. Managing talent in radio is a flimsy, nebulous thing. You nudge and encourage, and set soft borders, so people will take chances.” Dunaway and Smith, known as “The Outlaw,” embodied that spirit.


One favorite segment, brazenly stolen from other markets, was the “secret sound.” Listeners would guess the source of “some sound from everyday life, like the flicking of a Bic lighter.” The jackpot grew with each wrong guess, sometimes reaching into the thousands. “We knew how to promote that, and the great franchise of a beloved morning show.”


But Smith ran afoul of corporate management not long after Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction,” which unnerved media executives, Wood said. “Losing Tommy was brutal. One executive [for Clear Channel, the chain that had bought Magic 105] heard Tommy’s show and thought it was too blue. I tried to tell him not to kill the golden goose, but he ordered a change in tenor. Of course Tommy went back in and did the same exact show; the fellow heard it and fired Tommy on the spot.


“Everybody blamed me. It was a huge PR black eye, and all the TV stations covered it.” That was 2004. By 2008, Magic 105 had changed its name, frequency and format.


“A radio station that runs for 28 years is a great anomaly. I’ve enjoyed going to work every day for 46 years. Hopefully I’ll get to keep doing it.”


Fun memory: “When the Bill Clinton library was being built, we had a billboard with an arrow pointing to the site. It said, ‘Carry On, Wayward Son.’”

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                            [title] => UK Regulators Block Sale of Walmart's Asda Unit to Competitor
                            [summary] => British regulators blocked Sainsbury's $9.4 billion purchase of Walmart's Asda unit on Thursday amid concerns the deal would have increased prices and reduced the quality and range of products available. For Walmart, it's another setback in its effort to export its low-price strategy around the world.
                            [content] => 
LONDON — British regulators blocked Sainsbury's $9.4 billion purchase of Walmart's Asda unit on Thursday amid concerns the deal would have increased prices and reduced the quality and range of products available. For Walmart, it's another setback in its effort to export its low-price strategy around the world.


The Competition and Markets Authority said the deal creating the U.K.'s biggest supermarket chain would lead to a poorer overall shopping experience across the country, even in places where there was no direct overlap. It also found that motorists would be forced to pay more at over 125 locations where Sainsbury and Asda have gas stations near one another.


"We have concluded that there is no effective way of addressing our concerns, other than to block the merger," said Stuart McIntosh, who led the agency's review of the deal.


J. Sainsbury Plc announced plans to buy Asda last year as it sought to cut costs amid competition from discount chains that have increased their share of the U.K. grocery market.


Walmart, meanwhile, is pulling back from its international operations as it faces challenges establishing its budget shopping model in foreign markets and focuses on big growth opportunities. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart operates stores under 55 banners in 27 countries outside the U.S. It gave up in Germany and South Korea in 2006, and it closed 10 percent of its Brazil stores in 2016 as it looked to restructure its operations. In many overseas markets, Walmart has lacked the scale to press local suppliers on price as it does in the United States.


Walmart's international business, which accounts for about 24 percent of its total revenue, rang up $120.8 billion in sales for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.


But the retailer has been responding to the various landscapes and differing consumer behaviors, and teaming up with local partners when it realizes it can't go it alone. One example is China, where more than 700 million people are online and where it has a partnership with Chinese online retailer JD.com.


Retail analysts showed little surprise at the U.K. regulator's decision, particularly after an interim ruling came to the same conclusion. But merger watchers Clive Black and Darren Shirley at Shore Capital said that the heart of the proposed deal's problems was the incorrect assumption that the CMA would wave through the merger as it did for a previous deal involving Tesco and Booker.


"We felt at the time that it was a surprising and poor decision," the analysts wrote. "However, rather than analyzing matters with a sense of rationality and perspective, Sainsbury and Asda seem to have decided that 1+1 can equal 10."


The chains also failed to take into account that the leadership of the CMA had changed. It is now chaired by Andrew Tyrie, the former chair of the Treasury select committee and a man known as a champion of consumers.


The company said in a statement that it had agreed with Walmart and Asda to "terminate the transaction," even as CEO Mike Coupe insisted that the decision ignored the "dynamic and highly competitive nature of the UK grocery market."


(All contents © copyright 2019 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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                            [title] => Southern Airways Express Delivers EAS Reliability in 3 Towns
                            [summary] => Southern Airways Express LLC has seen its passenger traffic climb since it began offering flights in Arkansas in early 2017.
                            [content] => 
Southern Airways Express LLC has seen its passenger traffic climb since it began offering flights in Arkansas in early 2017.


“We have seen either record-setting passenger traffic or near record-setting passenger traffic,” said Keith Sisson, chief marketing officer for Southern, based in Hernando, Mississippi. “The response to the service has been beyond our expectations.”


Southern was awarded the federal Essential Air Service contracts to serve El Dorado, Hot Springs and Harrison after Seaport Airlines of Portland, Oregon, landed in bankruptcy in September 2016.


Air Choice One of St. Louis is the EAS provider for the Jonesboro Municipal Airport and has weekly nonstop flights to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL).


The EAS is the federal program that subsidizes smaller carriers so they can profitably offer a minimal level of scheduled air service to smaller communities.


In February, the U.S. Department of Transportation renewed Southern’s two-year contract to continue providing services in Arkansas. The contract for the Arkansas cities, which went into effect March 1, is worth $15.9 million.


Sisson said one reason for the passenger growth is Southern’s reliable service. It has had to cancel very few flights.


“In the three markets that we serve … we are 99.4% of completion on all of our flights for the past 10 months,” he said. “I don’t know if there’s an EAS airline in the country that can say that.”


Starting May 2, Southern will offer six weekly nonstop round trips between South Arkansas Regional Airport in El Dorado and Memphis International (MEM). While adding Memphis, Southern will cut the number of nonstop round trips between El Dorado and Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) from 18 to 12 a week.


Sisson said Southern offered the Memphis connection as a convenience for passengers traveling east. “We’re able to open up the East Coast to El Dorado for the first time in a couple of years,” he said.


Southern also has service to Memphis through Harrison. Arrivals from El Dorado and Harrison will be almost simultaneous, and about 20 minutes later, Southern has another plane heading for Nashville.



“So we’re offering two Arkansas cities a one-stop service daily between their cities and Nashville, which we think is going to be very popular,” Sisson said. “There’s a lot of business and industry boom now in Nashville that we can take advantage of.”


Jonathan Estes, manager at South Arkansas Regional, has seen more passengers since Southern began offering flights. In the first quarter of 2019, Estes said, passenger totals are up about 5% from the same quarter in 2018.


But that trend might not continue. “I do anticipate the passenger count to drop off whenever we start the Memphis flight simply because you have to rebuild a market,” he said. Nevertheless, passenger counts on the flights to Dallas should stay steady as business and leisure travelers can get there for $89 one-way, a figure that includes taxes. Parking is also free at the airports Southern serves in Arkansas.


The Boone County Regional Airport has reported an increase in passengers in 2018 for flights to Memphis and Dallas, to 5,300, up from 4,368 the previous year.


Judy McCutcheon, the airport manager, said the flights to Dallas are almost always full, while the midday flights to Memphis are typically 40% of capacity on the planes, which seat nine passengers.


She said Southern’s reliability is the reason more passengers are flying out of Harrison. “Southern came in here and they’ve never canceled flights, which is a huge plus,” she said.


Southern’s Sisson said the airline plans to rebid for the EAS contract for the three Arkansas cities when it expires at the end of February 2021.


Essential Air Service Communities in Arkansas








 
Annual Contract Subsidy Rate*
Carrier
Hubs Served




El Dorado /Camden
$2,541,851
Southern Airways Express
DFW




Harrison
$2,668,665
Southern Airways Express
DFW, MEM




Hot Springs
$2,662,717
Southern Airways Express
DFW




Jonesboro
$2,040,947
Air Choice One
STL








*For year starting March 1, 2019
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation

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                            [title] => Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame Announces New Inductees
                            [summary] => The Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame announces its fifth annual group of inductees — seven women and one organization — who will be honored at a ceremony on Aug. 29 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
                            [content] => 
The Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame on Monday announced its fifth annual group of inductees — seven women and one organization — who will be honored at a ceremony on Aug. 29 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.


"We are pleased to add these Arkansas women to the ranks of past inductees whose leadership and achievements have opened doors and broken down barriers for the future generations that follow behind them," Anna Beth Gorman, chair of the hall of fame's board and executive director of the Arkansas Women's Foundation, said in a news release.


The goal of the hall is to honor women whose contributions have influenced the direction of Arkansas in their community or the state. The North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce manages the event.


This year's inductees are:


Alice Andrews — a conservationist and a leading voice for environmental protection in Arkansas. She's worked to save the Buffalo River from damming and pollution. Her conservation efforts led to the preservation of land that would later pave the way for the River Trail, the Big Dam Bridge and the Two Rivers Bridge. 


Olivia Farrell — a publisher who blazed a trail for Arkansas women, building the Arkansas Times and Arkansas Business Publishing Group of Little Rock into two of the state's biggest independent multimedia companies. She has championed women in all fields, co-founding the Arkansas Women's Foundation, which works to ensure economic security for the state's women and girls. 


Jo Luck — as president and CEO of Heifer Project International, she led the organization's global program and helped expand programs to provide food security to impoverished people in the U.S. and more than 50 countries around the world. She also served as executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for 10 years.


Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder — a journalist and member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for 14 years, she became the first woman president of the National Newspaper Association and served as president of seven different state and national journalism organizations. She was the lead sponsor of several bills enhancing the Freedom of Information Act, and lead sponsor of a bill creating the Arkansas Ethics Commission.


Carolyn Witherspoon — a director and founder of the firm Cross Gunter Witherspoon and Galchus. A prominent labor and employment attorney, she was the first woman to serve as president of the Arkansas Bar Association. She's supported and created organizations that serve and mentor women. Under her leadership, her firm has garnered many work-life balance awards and achieved majority female ownership. 


Historic inductees are:


Diane Frances Divers Kincaid Blair (1938-2000) — as an educator, author, public servant, political scientist and ardent supporter of women's rights, she was a favorite professor at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She served as an adviser on the 1992 and 1996 Clinton-Gore presidential campaigns and also worked as official historian. Clinton appointed Blair to the board of directors of the U.S. Corporation for Public Broadcasting. She became chair and the boardroom was later named in her honor. 


Louise McPhetridge Thaden (1905-1979) — as an aviation pioneer, Thaden became the first and only pilot to simultaneously hold the women's records for speed, altitude and solo endurance. She competed and won against Amelia Earhart and others in the first all-women's transcontinental race. In 1936, she and her co-pilot became the first women to win the Bendix Transcontinental Air Race. She was awarded the Harmon Trophy in 1937, the highest honor given to a female pilot. 


The organization is also inducting an organization, the Beta Pi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Chartered in Little Rock in 1937, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Beta Pi Omega Chapter is committed to providing assistance to families, students and organizations in the community. The chapter's 265 members spearhead service projects, health fairs, workshops, education programs, cleanups and fundraisers and donate their time and money to improving life for future generations.


The hall has inducted new members each year. The organization says nominees are not limited to a certain field or accomplishment and can include pioneers, philanthropists, educators, entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, business leaders and political figures.


Tickets to the induction ceremony can be purchased at ARWomensHallofFame.com. 

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                            [title] => Lifetime Achievement Award: Joseph Bates, UAMS
                            [summary] => If you're going to do something for any length of time, it helps if you enjoy it.

No problem, says Joseph Bates, 85, closing in on his 62nd year in health care since graduating from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
                            [content] => 
If you’re going to do something for any length of time, it helps if you enjoy it.


No problem, says Joseph Bates, 85, closing in on his 62nd year in health care since graduating from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.


“My simple rule for deciding on how to choose a career is to find what you love and get very, very good at it,” said Bates, whose multiple roles include Professor of Epidemiology at the UAMS College of Public Health. “To do well and be happy in the medical profession you should enjoy science, love people and have a good liberal education.”


Bates is also Senior Public Health Adviser to the Director of the Arkansas Department of Health and Associate Dean for Public Health Practice at the UAMS College of Public Health.


As part of his duties Bates serves as a co-principal investigator on a research project that is evaluating the value of community health workers in the management of high blood pressure in Desha County.


40 
Years Bates practiced medicine as a UAMS faculty member
65 
Age at which Bates became Deputy Director of the Arkansas Department of Health 
1957
Year Bates graduated UAMS


He also serves as a mentor to about 50 medical students and 16 pharmacy students enrolled in the College of Public Health and working toward a Master's degree in the field as they concurrently study medicine and pharmacy.


Mentorship is important to Bates. He can recall being influenced at a young age by a first cousin who was a physician. The family relationship enhanced Bates’ desire to be in a helping profession.


Bates also recalls three doctors — Richard Ebert, Robert Abernathy and Gene Towbin — who mentored him while he was in medical school.


Other influences came more tragically. When Bates was 16 the family lost an uncle who had developed tuberculosis and died after a long stay in a sanitarium.


Bates said the loss hurt deeply but also inspired him to research the disease and fight to bring TB under control in Arkansas.


“Finally, I was very attracted to enter a profession that is based on science, that is always advancing its knowledge base, while giving priority to helping others and doing as little harm as possible,” Bates said.


For close to 40 years Bates practiced medicine as a faculty member at UAMS, serving a lengthy stretch as Vice Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and as Chief of the Medical Service at the Little Rock Veterans Administration Hospital. At the VA, Bates cared for patients, taught medical students and residents and did research.


At 65, Bates became Deputy Director of the Arkansas Department of Health and in this role he joined with many others to improve the health of Arkansans. Their efforts included working to pass the Clean Indoor Air Act prohibiting smoking in public places and workplaces, getting the proper amount of fluoride added to almost all the public drinking water in Arkansas, helping to establish a mandatory seat belt law and a variety of efforts attacking childhood obesity.


“It is particularly rewarding to work with highly qualified professionals who share my goals of serving people and who also exhibit the very best in their personal standards of conduct,” Bates said.


His biggest career challenge has been trying to improve the health habits of people in Arkansas. He noted, for example, that 1 in 4 Arkansans smoke tobacco, which is one of the highest rates of use among all the states.


A third of all cancers in Arkansas are the result of tobacco use, Bates said, and the substance is a major cause of heart disease and stroke and is practically the only cause of chronic obstructive lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.


Bates is nationally known for recruiting health care practitioners to both policy and public health practice and has strengthened the professionalism of public health practice and its leadership in Arkansas by working with public health practitioners, health care service providers, academics and communities.


In recognition of Bates’ efforts throughout his career, UAMS established the Joseph H. Bates III, M.D., Professorship in Academic Public Health Practice. The professorship will support public health and public health education, teaching and research, as Bates has done throughout his professional life.


“My work has been a joy through the years.”


— Joseph Bates

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