B-Unlimited Pivots as Masking Agent
by Arkansas Business Staff – 2 weeks ago
B-Unlimited of Fayetteville is best known as the apparel company that makes college-themed T-shirts; CEO Ben Clark said B-Unlimited reached $10 million in sales in 2019.
Small Business
US GDP Fell at 5.0% Rate in 1Q; Worse Is Likely on the Way
1 week ago
The U.S. economy shrank at a 5.0% rate in the first quarter with a much worse decline expected in the current three-month economic period.
The Old Normal (Gwen Moritz Editor's Note)
2 weeks ago
Since I'm not at all sure any of us have a good grasp on how much our worlds will have been changed by the pandemic, I think of this week's list as a final snapshot of the old normal that will be valuable when it comes time to document the new normal.
Report Shows Arkansas Revenue in June Better Than Forecast
State tax officials say Arkansas' June net available general revenue was $589.7 million, down 9.6% from the same month last year and 16.1% above forecast. read more >
Video: Misty Orpin of ArkansasCOVID Talks Data, What Businesses Should Watch
People paying close attention to the COVID-19 pandemic in Arkansas have likely encountered ArkansasCOVID.com, a website founded and edited by Misty Orpin of Springdale that is closely tracking data tied to the outbreak. read more >
US Consumer Confidence Rises to 98.1 in June
U.S. consumer confidence rose in June, reflecting the partial re-opening of the country but the concern is that rising coronavirus cases in many states could jeopardize future gains. read more >
FIS Selects 10 Startups for 2020 Fintech Accelerator Program
FIS of Jacksonville, Florida, and The Venture Center of Little Rock announces the 10 companies selected to participate in the 2020 FIS Fintech Accelerator program, which will take place completely online. read more >
The Conductor Partners with Rural LISC on Kiva Loans for Rural Entrepreneurs
The Conductor in Conway has partnered with Rural Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) and the Kiva Small Business lending program to provide one-to-one matched, 0% interest loans to rural entrepreneurs. read more >
Billions of Dollars in Aid for Small Businesses Go Unclaimed
Billions of dollars offered by Congress as a lifeline to small businesses struggling to survive the pandemic are about to be left on the table when a key government program stops accepting applications for loans. read more >
Sensemaking During a Crisis (Brian Jones Commentary)
While many organizations had plans for emergencies, few anticipated a pandemic or the mixed messages that have followed from both the government and health professionals. read more >
Arkansas Industries Attempt to Divine The Post-Pandemic Future 
Some, like the hospitality industry, are bracing for a long, slow return to pre-COVID vitality. Others, like the energy sector, see a quicker recovery after the early swoon. Some trends seem baked into expectations, like reliance on home-based employees and the technology they use. read more >
Arkansas Cattlemen Refuse to Run With The Herd
The cattle ranching industry may undergo some changes in the turbulent wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the changes may not include the one cattlemen fear the most: loss of independence. read more >
Largest Private Companies List Gives Snapshot of Pre-Pandemic Normalcy
The 33rd annual list of the state's largest private companies serves as a baseline for pre-pandemic revenue. read more >
The Generator Adds Adams (Movers & Shakers)
Kanesha Adams has joined The Generator in Pine Bluff. Adams will be the education programs coordinator. read more >
Women's Foundation Gets $100K Grant to Help Boost Businesses
The Women's Foundation of Arkansas has been awarded a $100,000 Women's Funding Network grant to design and launch a Regional Women's Economic Mobility Hub in six months and operate it over the next 18 months. read more >
Arkansas Unemployment Drops to 9.5% in May
Arkansas' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 9.5% in May from 10.8% in April, the state Department of Workforce Services reported Friday. read more >
Argenta Entertainment District Aims to Promote Outdoor Dining
North Little Rock's new entertainment district is all about allowing restaurant patrons to hang out and relax outside — but not party hard — in the Argenta neighborhood. read more >
Fayetteville Businesses Have Questions About Mask Ordinance
The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce says several businesses are seeking more information about the city's mask ordinance, citing questions left unanswered by the law's language. read more >
Namida Lab Partners with Heartland Pharmacy to Offer Antibody Tests
Namida Lab in Fayetteville has partnered with Heartland Pharmacy to offer its COVID-19 antibody testing to the public. read more >
SBA Issues Revised PPP Loan Forgiveness Applications
The U.S. Small Business Administration posts a revised Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness application reflecting changes to the program signed into law by President Trump on June 5. read more >
Resource Guide: Financial Tools, Aid for Businesses Hurt by COVID-19
Arkansas Business is regularly updating this page with links and contact information for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. read more >
Fayetteville Mandates Masks Because of Virus
A northwest Arkansas city is requiring face masks to be worn in most public places indoors to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. read more >
US Retail Sales Up A Record 17.7% in Partial Rebound
U.S. retail sales jumped by a record 17.7% from April to May, with spending partially rebounding after the coronavirus had shut down businesses, flattened the economy and paralyzed consumers during the previous two months. read more >
Businesses Ask Patrons to Waive Right to Sue If They Get Ill
As businesses reopen across the U.S. after coronavirus shutdowns, many are requiring customers and workers to sign forms saying they won't sue if they catch COVID-19. read more >
Asa Hutchinson Signs Orders to Protect Businesses From Lawsuits
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signs three executive orders to protect businesses and employees from lawsuits over COVID-19 exposure. read more >
Startup Junkie Launches Science Venture Studio
Startup Junkie Foundation launched its Science Venture Studio on Monday, to help startups apply for federal grant funding. read more >
Arkansas Cities Say Pandemic Losses of Revenue May Be Overstated
City leaders around Arkansas are holding their breath as business and social activities gradually restart after the initial shock of the coronavirus pandemic. read more >
Rogers' RichContext Launches New Product
E-commerce company RichContext in Rogers recently held a virtual launch for its new product: Hyphen, a digital platform that's been in the works for a year. read more >
Weekly Forum Set for Black Entrepreneurs
A Little Rock business promoting black entrepreneurship is planning a live hourlong virtual shopping platform every Friday evening, giving African-American fashion designers, artists, makers and vendors a chance to sell their works. read more >
Springdale Fintech, Citizens Bank, Mark Cuban Announce Free PPP Website
Teslar Software by 3E of Springdale; Jill Castilla, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond; and Mark Cuban have collaborated to launch a free website that simplifies and streamlines the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application process. read more >
Recent Real Estate Deals Total $2.56M
The $825,000 sale of the Flowers Bakery facility in Sherwood led the most recent round of real estate transactions. read more >
Ritter Invests $16M in Texarkana's Internet Infrastructure
Ritter Communications of Jonesboro has invested $16 million in bringing state-of-the-art communications technology and advanced business products and services to Texarkana, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas. read more >
Arkansas to Move to Phase 2 Reopening on Monday
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announces that the state will further ease coronavirus restrictions on certain businesses and enter “Phase 2” of reopening on Monday. read more >
Editors' Picks
