Hugh McDonald
Charles Kelly Remembered for Wit, Leadership and Community Impact
Not only did Charles L. Kelly leave a legacy in media, but he also had a profound impact as an executive at Entergy. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
The Great Reset: Arkansas’ Leadership Shakeups and the Stories That Defined 2025
Has any recent year reshaped Arkansas’ business and policy landscape this dramatically? read more >
Arkansas Awarded $35.8M to Grow US Manufacturing Apprenticeships
The state is the sole grantee and national administrator of a new fund aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing. read more >
Ro Arrington Named President of Arkansas Development Finance Authority
He's an 11-year veteran of the agency, which promotes economic growth and community development across the state. read more >
Startups, Investors Convene at Onward FX Venture Capital Summit
More than 800 startups applied to attend the Onward FX summit in Little Rock last week, with 100 chosen to participate. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
Arkansas Research Alliance Receives $8M From National Science Foundation
The award, which is the first of its kind in Arkansas, will launch a new statewide program called AR-NETWORK. read more >
Joseph Bailey Named Executive Director of Arkansas Waterways Commission
Bailey was picked to succeed Cassandra Caldwell, who has held the role since 2020. He'll lead efforts to develop, promote and protect waterborne transportation in Arkansas. read more >
Hugh McDonald Touts Arkansas Reforms for Job Growth & Capital Investment
The recent legislative session tapped the commerce secretary's expertise in both energy and economic development as he championed laws he believes will boost business in Arkansas. Some are already bearing fruit. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Arkansas Leads US in GDP Growth for Second Consecutive Quarter
The sector that includes agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting was the leading contributor to the state's growth. read more >
Sanders Signs Bill to Boost Arkansas’ Skilled Workforce, Streamline College Admissions
Sanders said the legislation means "more welders, more electrical engineers, more computer scientists," as well as more graduates in nursing, agriculture science and industrial manufacturing. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
Doubling STEM Grads Could Add Nearly $4B to Arkansas Economy by 2038, Study Finds
The state currently faces a critical shortage of STEM graduates, with nearly 58,000 open positions projected in the coming years. read more >
by Caitlan Butler -
State Broadband Proposal Gets Federal OK, Opening Door for $1B in Funding
The proposal details Arkansas’ plans for operating its broadband infrastructure grant program, requirements for potential applicants and non-deployment priorities. read more >
State Jobless Rate Falls to 3.3% in June
Month-over-month, Arkansas’ total job numbers grew by 0.6%, topping national rankings for the second time this year. read more >
Cody Waits to Lead New State Workforce Division
He previously served as the director of the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, a division of the Department of Commerce. read more >
State Does About-Face On China
Arkansas was one of numerous states that took part in a frenzy of activity aimed at bringing over Chinese companies to set up operations. But a new state law makes clear that such investments are now viewed with suspicion. read more >
by Lara Farrar -
‘Maybe It Was Utah’ (Editorial)
If Arkansas wants to transform itself economically, it will first need a plan. read more >
Arkansas Looks to Utah as a Blueprint for Economic Development Success
Arkansas Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald looks to Utah as a model when it comes to attracting high-tech industries, ranging from internet startups and biotech firms to pharmaceuticals, defense contractors and fintech companies. read more >
by Lara Farrar -
State Skills Development Leader Leaving for New Job
The director of the Office of Skills Development is leaving the post for a job with Transfr of New York, a workforce training technology provider. read more >
by Lance Turner -
Arkansas Leaders See Utah’s High-Tech Success as Model for Economic Transformation
Utah, with its emphasis on research, entrepreneurship and quality of life, has become one of the top states for high-tech industries. Arkansas is looking to borrow from the western state's playbook. read more >
by Lara Farrar -
UA Readies One-of-A-Kind Chip Research & Fabrication Facility
The facility is a long-time labor of love for U of A electrical engineering professor Alan Mantooth and was made possible by a $19 million grant from the National Science Foundation. read more >
by Marty Cook -
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