Northeast Arkansas
Beignets & Brews Next Location Set to Open in Jonesboro
Jonesboro is next in line for a Beignet & Brews, the 2nd out of 30 planned locations.
An election battle for a circuit judge position has made it to the courts for one candidate.
A unique legal case out of Jonesboro has a heart surgeon pitted against the lawyers of a former colleague, alleging defamation.
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.
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 >
New Bridge Street Brewery Planned for Jonesboro Redevelopment
Some names familiar to Arkansas Business readers are partnering on the project. read more >
New Helena Hospital Owner Makes Plan to Pay Off Old Bills
The struggling Phillips County hospital is now on its third owner in two years. Leaders are confident it will become more financially stable and that it will survive. read more >
by Griffin Coop -
![Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver called the mall site “the missing piece” in Jonesboro’s economic development.[Sarah Guffey]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AS5A1083_opt-300x194.jpg)
Jonesboro Mall Site Sells, Redevelopment Plans Take Shape
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 Griffin Coop -
Arkansas Research Alliance Launches $8M Program to Boost Workforce Growth, Research Capacity & Startups
The program, called AR-NETWORK, hopes to create 500 high-paying jobs and improve Arkansas' competitiveness and reputation as a research state. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
Data Center Drawbacks: The Hidden Environmental Costs
Residents and environmental advocates warn that while data centers bring economic growth, they also pose serious concerns over massive power and water usage, environmental impact, and lack of transparency. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
![Jack Thomas of the Little Rock Regional Chamber was instrumental in negotiations that landed a data center. [Steve Lewis]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JackThomas2_opt-300x194.jpg)
$1B Data Center Projects Signal New Tech Era for Arkansas
Arkansas is experiencing a multi-billion-dollar data center boom promising major investments, big incentives, and new questions about power and water usage. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Leadership Moves Announced at Conway Corp., Riceland Foods & 7 Brew (Movers & Shakers)
Riceland, Ecological Design, 7 Brew and others announce leadership changes across agriculture, engineering, banking, health care and more. read more >
LaDonna Johnston on Leading Unity Health Through Change & Challenge
The CEO of Unity Health is leading the regional system through workforce and revenue challenges after more than 30 years with the organization. read more >
Banking on Families (Randy Scott Commentary)
Business can help tackle child care costs to support working families and strengthen communities. read more >
by Randy Scott -
![RiverBank of Pocahontas was victimized in an embezzlement plot that led to a guilty plea by a former loan officer in 2023. [Google Maps]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot_2025-03-28_at_4.17.09e280afPM_opt-300x194.jpg)
FDIC Fines Former RiverBank Loan Officer Over $88K Embezzlement Case
Former RiverBank loan officer Bryan Dalton was fined $35,000 by the FDIC and banned from banking after embezzling nearly $88,000 from clients. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
The Next Generation of Steel (Randy Zook Commentary)
The proposed U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel merger would be a game changer for Arkansas. read more >
by Randy Zook -
![Arvest Bank again led the state with $930 million in loans originating in Arkansas, a 15% increase from 2023. [Google Maps]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screenshot_2025-01-21_at_2.10.11_PM_opt-300x194.jpg)
Arkansas Mortgage Market Rebounds in 2024, With Arvest Leading the Way
Of the 12 mortgage lenders that have shared information with Arkansas Business for the past two years, eight of them saw an increase in overall value of mortgages that originated in Arkansas. Five of those institutions saw gains of 10% or more. read more >
by Marty Cook -
![Sylvia C. Brown, in blue with megaphone, marched at a King Day eventin Hope. A social impact advocate and public policy strategist, she believes a Community Reinvestment Act update would benefit many Arkansans. [Steve lewis]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SylviaBrown4_opt-300x194.jpg)
Federal Lawsuit Delays New Community Reinvestment Act Rules, Leaving Banks in Limbo
Since Jimmy Carter signed it in 1977, the CRA has required federal agencies to review thousands of banks’ efforts to meet the credit needs of their communities, particularly low- and moderate-income areas. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Trump Ushers In New Trucking Era
Donald Trump’s return has trucking leaders hopeful for eased regulations and tax cuts, but experts warn of risks from his unpredictable style and market oversupply. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Vet Schools Update: Lyon College and ASU Set for 2026 Student Admissions
Lyon College targets fall 2026 for vet school launch, while ASU's vet program plans the same date, backed by a $30.6M bond for campus construction. read more >
Jason Gober Named Business Development Officer for SBA Lending at FNBC Bank (Super Mover)
Gober brings more than a decade of banking experience to FNBC. read more >
Arkansas Proposes Changes to CPA Licensing Requirements to Address Industry Demands
New rules may be on the horizon, but for now, an aspiring certified public accountant in Arkansas needs 150 hours of college credit. That’s five years of schooling at the normal rate. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Heath Simpson on Expanding Broadband in Rural Arkansas
Simpson's military background and Ritter Communications' rapid expansion shape his leadership approach, focusing on community-driven broadband growth and customer connection. read more >
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