Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County

A six-year member of the group with a background in economic development has been chosen as his successor. read more >

Jerry Adams, president of the Arkansas Research Alliance, announced this week the promotion of Bryan Barnhouse to CEO. read more >

Lea Whitlock has been hired as communications director of the Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock. read more >

Turnabout is fair play in Jefferson County, which gained a medical marijuana cultivation center from Newport this month after losing it to the Jackson County seat more than two years ago. read more >

If permit applications are to be believed, plans are in the works for a microbrewery and restaurant in the 200 block of Barraque St. in Pine Bluff and for a restaurant in the old Hotel Pines at 426 S. Main. read more >

Roger Williams’ vision to put a $3.7 billion gas-to-liquid fuel plant in Jefferson County has him arguing in two directions: convincing some people that the largest economic development project in state history can realistically happen, and explaining to others why it’s not happening quicker. read more >

A site near Pine Bluff has won the competition to become home to a multibillion-dollar plant for turning natural gas into liquid fuel, economic development officials say. read more >

An energy company led by retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater is considering Jefferson County among possible sites for a $3 billion natural gas-to-liquid plant. read more >

Jefferson Regional Medical Center — Pine Bluff’s nonprofit hospital operated by Jefferson Hospital Association Inc. — is one of the major sources of jobs for an area that has suffered from loss of industry, plummeting population and spiking crime. read more >