Hugh McDonald
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 -
AEDC Restructures Small Business & Entrepreneurship Division
Esperanza Massana-Crane of Little Rock was named director of the division. read more >
Governor Reappoints Susannah Marshall as State Bank Commissioner
As bank commissioner, she's responsible for the regulation, supervision and examination of Arkansas' 73 state-chartered banks, which have total assets of more than $153 billion. read more >
Sanders Visits Europe on First Overseas Trade Mission
The trip includes a stop at the Paris Air Show, the world's premier and largest event dedicated to the aviation and space industry. read more >
Arkansas Studies Nuclear Recycling for Mini-Reactors
State Rep. Jack Ladyman sponsored a law in the recent legislative session, Act 259, requiring the state to investigate the technical and economic potential for recycling spent nuclear fuel rods. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Tech Park Announces $9.6M Phase 2 Expansion
Renovations of Five Main Place have already started and are expected to be complete by spring of 2024. read more >
by Lance Turner -
New Commerce Secretary Focuses on Selling Arkansas as Entrepreneurial Hub
Hugh McDonald, the former president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas Inc., has big plans in his new role to reshape Arkansas' workforce and attract talent and businesses. read more >
by Lara Farrar -
Tiffany Wilkerson Named GM of the Arkansas State Fair (Movers & Shakers)
She is also the first woman and the youngest general manager in the history of the fair. read more >
Stephens Hires Mike Preston to Lead New Practice
The practice, Site & Incentive Advisory, will advise businesses on growth strategies. read more >
by Lance Turner -
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