Randy Zook
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 -
Banco Sí Growing In Northwest Arkansas
The first Banco Sí branch opened on South First Street in Rogers in September 2022. The success at that location prompted a second branch on East Emma Avenue on June 24 in Springdale. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Arkansas Developers Push for TIF Legislation to Compete with Neighboring States
Arkansas economic developers are pushing for legislation to allow state incentives for commercial projects, including tax breaks they say are needed to even the field in competing with neighboring states. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
The New Red Scare (Editorial)
Casting unfounded suspicion on companies doing business in Arkansas is a bad look for the state. read more >
Painted Red: Foreign Ownership Claims in Arkansas Disputed
Recent allegations of illegal foreign ownership of commercial properties proved unfounded in two prominent cases, triggering criticism of the state’s process for enforcing a 2023 law meant to halt Chinese stakes in Arkansas real estate. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Be Pro Be Proud Expands Into Texas
Texas is the eighth state where Be Pro Be Proud, a workforce initiative by the Associated Industries of Arkansas, will operate. read more >
Discovering Arkansas: Census Bureau Estimates Show Rising Population
More than half of Arkansas’ 75 counties have seen their populations grow since 2020, and the state’s population is growing at close to 2%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Arkansas Global Connect Acquisition: Expanding Seasonal Labor Opportunities
Randy Zook, president and chief executive officer of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas, called seasonal labor “a pressing need” in Arkansas and beyond. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
State Chamber Voices Concerns in Case Against Online Travel Companies
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce wants to file a friend of the court brief that would support the online travel companies like Expedia, Priceline and Travelocity. read more >
WM Opens $35M Renewable Natural Gas Facility in Springdale
The facility will process the gas collected from the company’s Eco Vista landfill and is expected to eliminate approximately 40,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. read more >
Update: Senate Panel Advances Similar Version of Computer Science Bill
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday said it's still against the proposal. read more >
by Scott Carroll -
Not a Good Look for Arkansas (Editorial)
Eliminating a work permit requirement for Arkansas children under 16 is “a solution looking for a problem.” read more >
Child Labor Bill Heads to Governor; Opponents Say it Risks Kids’ Safety, Education
The bill, inspired by research from a conservative think tank in Florida, would eliminate a work permit requirement for Arkansas kids under the age of 16. read more >
by Lara Farrar -
Alan Turner Named National Communications Chief by Be Pro Be Proud
Turner was previously vice president of marketing at Staley Inc. of Little Rock and had key posts at the Stone Ward advertising agency. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
‘Be Pro Be Proud’ Launches in 4th State
The program's two mobile workshops, which offer hands-on experience with skilled professions, began traveling across North Carolina earlier this month. read more >
Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas? You Tell Us (Randy Zook Commentary)
Making things is a big deal for all Arkansans, especially those 150,000-plus who work in manufacturing. read more >
by -
Governor Enlists Department Heads, Energy CEOs to Protect Power Grid
The goal is to avoid an electrical grid crisis like the one that crippled Texas last winter. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Tax Fighters Take Aim at Arkansas Income Levy
If Arkansas politicians succeed in a push to abolish the state personal income tax, partly to avoid losing ultra-wealthy residents, the state must reckon with what it will give up: $3 billion a year in revenue. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Arkansas Bill Would Creates Exemption for Companies’ Vaccine Mandates
Randy Zook of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce warns lawmakers that the proposal could force employers between choosing whether to violate state law or federal regulations. read more >
by -
Confronting ‘Nitty-Gritty’ of Mandates (Lance Turner Editor’s Note)
The thought that the federal government is reaching down, via the OSHA and other mechanisms, to put this amount of pressure on employers to vaccinate their employees is remarkable. read more >
by Lance Turner -
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