Manufacturing
Menen Group Expands Into Lithium Mineral Extraction
The lithium industry continues to expand with the addition of the Menen Group’s latest patent for mineral extraction.
Has any recent year reshaped Arkansas’ business and policy landscape this dramatically?
Backed by Suzano’s significant global investments — including the world’s largest and most modern pulp mill — President Fabio Almeida says the Arkansas operation is becoming a model of cost-competitive performance.
With the announcement of the new U.S. Steel plant in Osceola, its seems like the momentum for growth in the area is only gaining traction.
Suzano Transforms Pine Bluff Mill Into National Packaging Leader
With 70 years of history, the former Pactiv-Evergreen mill in Pine Bluff is being brought back to life. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Cantex Prepares $120M PVC Plant in Southwest Arkansas
Though it won't start full production until spring 2026, the Cantex PVC plant in Nashville is already making waves within the local economy. read more >
Northwest Arkansas Office Market Holds Steady as Retail Growth Outpaces National Trends
Even as commercial markets nationwide adjust to higher vacancy rates and cautious development cycles, Northwest Arkansas continues to post resilient numbers. According to the Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners’ […] read more >
A-State Builds Pathways Between Classrooms and Careers with New CREST Center
With the rising need for a variety of industry skills, A-State has a new approach where anyone, not just students, can learn something new to help them advance in the workforce. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
![Hybar Steel was just one of Lexicon’s many projects in Mississippi County. [Karen E. Segrave]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Image_8-1-25_at_5.12e280afPM_opt-e1754672951830-300x194.jpg)
‘Steel Mill Heaven’ (Editorial)
A second Hybar plant would further secure Mississippi County’s place as the capital of U.S. steel production. read more >
![Lexicon University allows the steel fabrication company to train welders in-house, with a goal of getting students to pass stringent welding certification tests within weeks. [PHOTOs provided]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_9361-Enhanced-NR_opt-300x194.jpg)
Lexicon Develops its Own Workforce Through Lex U
Lexicon Inc. is expanding its in-house university to train welders, leaders and professionals, aiming to fill critical workforce gaps. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
New Roles at Cobb-Vantress, First Community Bank & Central States (Movers & Shakers)
This week’s Movers & Shakers highlights leadership changes across Arkansas in banking, health care, education, agriculture and more. read more >
![Danny Games, vice president of business and economic development at Entergy Arkansas: “You need to have something north of 500 acres.” [Jason Burt]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/JBP_4710_opt-300x194.jpg)
Port of Little Rock, Clark County Prep Megasites for Big Employers
Arkansas officials are banking on two massive “megasites” to land billion-dollar projects that could reshape the state’s economy. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Shawn Cochran Named VP of Construction Management at Lexicon Inc. (Super Mover)
Lexicon Inc. has tapped veteran engineer Shawn Cochran to lead its newly formalized construction management division, overseeing steel projects from start to finish. read more >
Entergy Plans Gas Plant Near Redfield as Coal Units Retire
With coal plants set to close, Entergy Arkansas plans new gas generation near Redfield while some push for a shift to renewable pine pellets. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
![UA grad student Bernardo Guimaraes and assistant professor Scott Lafontaine use malted rice to make gluten-free beer. [Michael Woods]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_9184_opt-1-300x194.jpg)
UA Study Sees Brewing Potential in Arkansas-Grown Rice
University of Arkansas researchers are testing malted rice as a barley alternative in beer, opening new markets for the state’s rice growers. read more >
by Marty Cook -
![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]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Pelkki_in_forest_opt-1-300x194.jpg)
Arkansas Timber Prices Plunge Amid Oversupply & Mill Closures
A “wall of wood” and shrinking markets are keeping Arkansas timber prices at historic lows, forcing landowners to rethink forest management. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
A Growing Team, Telling Lexicon’s Story
With billion-dollar projects and a growing team, Lexicon Inc. is raising its profile while staying grounded in people-first values. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
![Two lawsuits involving the golf equipment company Golfgen LLC have been filed in the Benton County Courthouse.[Google Maps]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Benton_County_Courthouse_opt-e1753458075432-300x194.jpg)
Legal Disputes Disrupt Arkansas Golf Equipment Firm Golfgen
Golfgen’s founders are in court battling over control of the company, with accusations of fraud, exclusion, and fiduciary failures flying. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Trane Taps Mississippi County Plants for Sustainable Steel Supply
Trane Technologies sourced green steel from Arkansas for its Fort Smith HVAC plant as part of its broader sustainability strategy. read more >
Standard Lithium Adds 2 VPs to Leadership Team
Daniel Rosen will be vice president of strategy and investor relations. Tim Sobel will be vice president of health, safety, social and environment. read more >
Dave Stickler Credits Workforce, Automation for Hybar’s Efficiency
Hybar Steel founder Dave Stickler says aggressive training, automation and a flat structure are powering Arkansas' rise in rebar production. read more >
![Hybar Steel’s new rebar-making facility in Osceola, along with its 186,000-panel solar field, sits on a 1,300-acre site. [photo provided]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DJI_0976_opt-scaled-e1750357734251-300x194.jpg)
Solar-Powered Hybar Steel Begins Rebar Production, Plans Second Mill
Just 22 months after forming Hybar Steel, Dave Stickler’s team is producing rebar with solar power, industry-leading efficiency and plans to expand. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Arkansas’ Green Steel Meets a ‘Golden Share’
Dave Stickler, a godfather of environmentally sustainable steel, summed up his industry’s history in Arkansas earlier this month. His bottom line? Modern, ecological steelmaking is economical steelmaking. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Downtown Revivals Gain Momentum in Blytheville & Osceola Thanks to Steel Industry
In Blytheville and Osceola, steel wealth is sparking a new kind of revival. Downtown makeovers are being led by locals investing their own money and sweat to bring back small businesses, restore century-old buildings and create walkable communities. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
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