Icon (Close Menu)

Subscribe Start Your Free Trial of
Arkansas Business (logo)
Logout
Start Your Free Trial of
Arkansas Business (logo)
Arkansas Business
Icon (Close Menu)

Industry News

News & Analysis

Jobs

Regions

People

Lists

Events & Nominations

Cover Story

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center [photo provided]

40% of Arkansas Hospitals Report Losses in 2024 as Costs Outpace RevenuesLock Icon

Uncertainty over federal legislation and expiring tax credits adds pressure, even as systems invest millions in expansions, new technology and AI to improve care and efficiency.

by -

Micro-Hospitals Arrive in Arkansas as Patients Seek Faster, Local CareLock Icon

Justin Smith has his knee examined in the emergency department by Dr. Justin White at Cabot Emergency Hospital. [Karen E. Segrave]

Nutex Health is expanding its physician-owned micro-hospital model to west Little Rock, promising short wait times and local access to emergency care.

Arkansas’ Energy Future: New Power Plants Planned as Demand SurgesLock Icon

Arkansas’ utilities are racing to keep up with soaring electricity demand, but some power projects face scrutiny from regulators and questions about whether they meet new state law requirements.

Jay Brogdon to Lead Simmons Bank Into Next Era of GrowthLock Icon

While George Makris Jr. built Simmons into a six-state banking force through acquisitions and splashy branding, Brogdon plans to focus on organic growth, technology and customer experience.

Construction / Nonprofits / Real Estate

SoMa’s Revival: A New Identity for Main StreetLock Icon

Decades of vision and investment from Joe Fox, Anita Davis and others turned Little Rock’s SoMa into one of the city’s most vibrant districts. read more >

by -

Construction / Government & Politics / Health Care

Central Arkansas Office Vacancies Hold Steady Amid National SurgeLock Icon

Local brokers see modest tenant growth, especially among small firms, legal services and medical providers. read more >

by -

Construction / Real Estate / Restaurants & Food

ALDI’s Growth Hits Arkansas: Five New Stores Set to Open Over Next YearLock Icon

The grocery chain ALDI is expanding in Arkansas, bringing new stores to Mountain Home, Russellville, Searcy, Sherwood and North Little Rock. read more >

by -

Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver called the mall site “the missing piece” in Jonesboro’s economic development.[Sarah Guffey]
Construction / Real Estate / Retail

Jonesboro Mall Site Sells, Redevelopment Plans Take ShapeLock Icon

More than five years after a tornado left The Mall at Turtle Creek in ruins, the property has sold at auction, opening the door for redevelopment. read more >

by -

Construction / Small Business

Time Striping Co-Owner Cindy Williams Paints Her Own Path to $30M SuccessLock Icon

Under her leadership, the Alma road painting company has grown to become the third-largest woman-owned firm in Arkansas. read more >

by -

Renee Clay-Circle at her home in Saddle (Sharp County).She owns almost too many businesses to count, but still finds some leisure time for hunting. [Sarah Guffey]
Government & Politics / Retail / Small Business

Multibusiness Owner Renee Clay-Circle Leads with Hands-On ApproachLock Icon

She juggles running a dozen businesses while also serving as Sharp County coroner and as a reserve sheriff's deputy. read more >

by -

Mike Orndorff has developed Pettaway Square and other properties south of downtown Little Rock. [Karen E. Segrave]
Construction / Investments / Real Estate

Mike Orndorff Builds Community at Pettaway SquareLock Icon

The development has become a lively Little Rock hub, combining homes, shops, eateries and a welcoming community space. read more >

by -

Krystal Rivera is a graduate of the Food Jobs Work program. She has been working at Big Orange in midtown Little Rock for the last seven years and as kitchen manager for the last three years. [Karen E. Segrave]
Education / Nonprofits / Restaurants & Food

Arkansas Nonprofit Food Jobs Work Readies Workers for Culinary JobsLock Icon

Food Jobs Work is helping Arkansans re-enter the workforce with culinary training, soft skills and a second chance at long-term success. read more >

by -

Jacob Robinson is the president of Arkansas Heart Hospital. Like other hospitals, Arkansas Heart Hospital struggles with low reimbursement rates and rising expenses. [Karen E. Segrave]
Banking & Finance / Government & Politics / Health Care

Arkansas Heart Hospital Cuts 4% of Staff Amid Rising Costs, Low ReimbursementsLock Icon

Arkansas Heart Hospital is trimming jobs while preparing for new growth in bariatrics and cardiology under President Jacob Robinson. read more >

by -

Danny Games, vice president of business and economic development at Entergy Arkansas: “You need to have something north of 500 acres.” [Jason Burt]
Construction / Government & Politics / Investments

Port of Little Rock, Clark County Prep Megasites for Big EmployersLock Icon

Arkansas officials are banking on two massive “megasites” to land billion-dollar projects that could reshape the state’s economy. read more >

by -

Banking & Finance / Government & Politics

Arkansas Business Leaders Push Incentives Plan Ahead of 2026 Ballot VoteLock Icon

A proposed constitutional amendment would allow Arkansas communities to offer new economic incentives, a move backers say is vital to compete with other states. read more >

by -

Hunter Biram of the University of Arkansas said farm subsidies can determine whether a crop is profitable.[Griffin Coop]
Agriculture & Poultry / Banking & Finance / Government & Politics

Arkansas Farm Bankruptcies Rise as Costs Outpace Crop PricesLock Icon

Arkansas farmers are struggling with historic cost-price gaps, but updated federal subsidies could help keep some operations afloat. read more >

by -

Matthew Pelkki, the UA-Monticello professor and expert on forestry economics, says the pulpwood prices are so depressed it’s “almost impossible to sell in southeast Arkansas.” And he doesn’t expect pricing to improve any time soon. [photo provided]
Agriculture & Poultry / Manufacturing

Arkansas Timber Prices Plunge Amid Oversupply & Mill ClosuresLock Icon

A “wall of wood” and shrinking markets are keeping Arkansas timber prices at historic lows, forcing landowners to rethink forest management. read more >

by -

Energy / Retail / Technology

Arkansas EV Dealer Grows Beyond Tesla Amid Sales ShiftLock Icon

As Tesla faces political backlash and falling sales, Arkansas EV dealer Collin Riggin is thriving with a diverse, used electric lineup. read more >

by -

Gatik’s autonomous trucks have been making deliveries for Tyson Foods of Springdale since the two companies struck a deal in September 2023. Tyson now has four trucks in the program operating six days a week. [photo provided]
Public Companies / Restaurants & Food / Retail

Gatik’s Autonomous Delivery Trucks Make Strides with Walmart and Tyson FoodsLock Icon

A growing fleet of driverless trucks from Gatik is reshaping logistics in northwest Arkansas, with Walmart and Tyson Foods leading the charge. read more >

by -

Dr. Michael Birrer, UAMS vice chancellor, is director of UAMS’ Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. He is working toward UAMS receiving a National Cancer Institute designation, which would have an estimated economic impact on Arkansas of more than $70 million. [Karen E. Segrave]
Banking & Finance / Education / Government & Politics

UAMS Prepares for High-Stakes National Cancer Institute BidLock Icon

With no NCI-designated cancer centers in Arkansas, UAMS is racing the clock — and potential NIH budget cuts — to change that in 2025. read more >

by -

Construction / Nonprofits / Tourism

Arkansas Climbing Scene Reaches New HeightsLock Icon

Fueled by passionate volunteers and growing support, rock climbing in Arkansas is transforming from a niche hobby into a tourism draw. read more >

by -

The iconic east facade of War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The stadium is now run by the state parks department. [shutterstock]
Education / Government & Politics / Media & Marketing

With Razorbacks Set to Leave War Memorial, Stadium Looks to ReinventLock Icon

Fans from central, south and even northeast Arkansas may find it hard to envision a Hogless War Memorial. But the reality has been dawning for a while. read more >

by -

Cliff and Brenda Palm moved into their newly built Sherwood home in June 2022. The contractor was KellCo Custom Homes Inc., owned by Tracie J. Kelley. Since then, the Palms said they’ve spent more than $50,000 in out-of-pocket repairs and miscellaneous other items that they said were included in their contract but that KellCo never provided. [Karen E. Segrave]
Banking & Finance / Construction / Legal

Customers Accuse Little Rock’s KellCo Custom Homes of FraudLock Icon

Tracie J. Kelley's company is also under continued scrutiny by the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board. read more >

by -

Investments / Public Companies / Real Estate

BSR REIT Unlocks Growth After $618M Apartment SaleLock Icon

The transaction gave BSR a pile of cash, freed it from legacy investor constraints and repositioned the Texas-focused landlord for bold new moves. Investors — and competitors — are paying close attention to the company's high-stakes transformation. read more >

by -

Email Icon Sign up for Daily E-news

Sign Up

THIS WEEK’S EDITION

This Week’s Stories View Digital Edition

EDITORS’ PICKS

Whispers Former SQRL Owner Files for Bankruptcy as Lawsuits and Debts MountLock Icon
Arkansas Business FINRA Panel Expunges Complaints Against Fayetteville Financial AdviserLock Icon
Lance Belline, an older white man, wearing a suit with no tie, standing in front of the reception desk at Lighthouse Financial.
Arkansas Business 2025 Mergers & Acquisitions: Big Deals In State Fall 72%
A close up of two men in suits shaking hands.
Arkansas Business ARDOT’s Winter Storm Response: 700 Plows, 600 Salt Spreaders and 2,700 Workers
A yellow snow plow scrapes snow off a snow-covered road.
Arkansas Business Rausch Coleman Homes Sale Marks End of an Era, Start of New VenturesLock Icon
John Rausch, a middle-aged white man in a purple blazer, stands in the lobby of Rausch Companies, the logo on a sign behind him.
Whispers $170K Raised to Back Arkansas Economic Development DistrictsLock Icon
Arkansas Business Pulaski Tech Plans $20M Workforce Training Center at Little Rock Port
Manufacturing Frozen Food Maker InnovAsian to Build $105M Manufacturing Plant in Jonesboro
Packages of InnovAsian chicken and white rice on display on the shelf of a grocery store with price tags below each product
Arkansas Business Regulators Move People Trust Into Conservatorship; Founder Pushes Back in Federal Court
Arlo Washington, founder of People Trust Community Federal Credit Union
Energy Default on Land Deal Sparks New Skepticism Over GTL Americas Fuel Plant