UAMS Receives $2.5 Million for Family Medicine Residency Programs in South Arkansas

By Philip Allison

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will expand its residency programs in south Arkansas thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the Arkansas State Legislature.

The state’s PEER Joint Budget Committee recently approved a request for $2,550,225 in funding from the restricted reserve fund to support the development of family medicine residency programs in El Dorado and Crossett. The funds will help create 22 new residency slots in hospitals in the two cities as well as one new family medicine obstetrics fellowship.

“Expanding the number of physicians starting their careers in Arkansas through their medical residency increases the chance they will remain in the state to practice, so partnering with hospitals around the state to increase the number of residency slots is a pathway for addressing physician shortages in rural Arkansas,” said Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., UAMS provost and chief strategy officer. “We are grateful for the State of Arkansas providing startup funds for these new family medicine residency programs in Crossett and El Dorado.”

UAMS Receives $2.5 Million for Family Medicine Residency Programs in South Arkansas

Boozman, Moran, Fischer, Budd Measure Seeks to Improve Veterans’ Access to Care

WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) as well as Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tedd Budd (R-NC) to introduce legislation that would permanently authorize and expand the External Provider Scheduling (EPS) program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make it easier to schedule healthcare appointments for veterans in the community. 

Veterans - PICRYL Image

The EPS program allows the VA to view the schedules of community care providers. This reduces the amount of time it takes to find and create appointments for veterans in need of care. In initial rollout phases, this system led to a 65 percent improvement in the timeliness of community care scheduling and increased scheduling from seven appointments a day to over twenty.

“Veterans deserve timely and quality access to medical care,” said Boozman. “Across our country, and particularly in rural areas, our former servicemembers rely on community care to receive the services and benefits they need. I’m pleased to join my colleagues on this effort to support and strengthen the important tools that help ensure veterans’ appointments are not delayed or denied.”

“Veterans should not have to wait weeks or months to obtain the care and services they have earned,” said Moran. “By simplifying the community care appointment scheduling process and improving communication between VA and community providers, the External Provider Scheduling program has resulted in veterans getting the health care they need faster. This bill would continue the EPS program so that even more veterans will benefit from it, improving access to care nationwide.”

“Our veterans shouldn’t have to wait long periods to receive the medical care and services they need,” said Fischer. “By making the EPS program permanent, we will put our veterans’ needs first as we improve care coordination between the VA and community providers, especially in our rural areas. I look forward to working with my colleagues to take care of our veterans by passing this legislation.”

“No veteran should be forced to wait for the care they need and deserve,” said Budd. “That’s why I am proud to support Senator Moran’s legislation that allows the VA to schedule appointments with community healthcare providers in real time. Veterans in North Carolina and across the nation deserve the highest quality care we can provide them, and this bill will help us accomplish that mission.”

Click here for full text of the legislation. 

Electric cooperatives begin $93 million project to expand gas plant

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Little Rock-based generation and transmission cooperative Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) has started a $93 million project to add 100 megawatts of generation capacity to its natural gas-fired Thomas B. Fitzhugh Generation Station near Ozark.

The expansion is part of AECC’s strategy to address wholesale generation needs. AECC is the wholesale power provider for the state’s 17 electric distribution cooperatives and part of the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.

Construction at the existing 170-megawatt plant started in late September, and it’s expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. The project includes adding two natural gas generating units to bring the total generation capacity to 270 megawatts. The new units can also operate on fuel oil.

Electric cooperatives begin $93 million project to expand gas plant

The natural gas-fired Thomas B. Fitzhugh Generation Station near Ozark is undergoing a $93 million expansion.

After Meeting with Governor Sanders During Her European Trade Mission, Walther Manufacturing Announces $30M Expansion in Fort Smith, Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Following the company’s meeting with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders during her European trade mission this summer, Walther Manufacturing is expanding its presence in Fort Smith, Arkansas, creating an expected 76 new jobs over the next five years. The expansion represents a capital investment of up to $30 million in the region. 

“Walther Manufacturing is making a substantial investment in our Fort Smith factory to facilitate the expansion of our research development and manufacturing of U.S.-produced firearms and accessories,” said Tom Goike, Walther Manufacturing President and CEO. 

Currently, Umarex USA/Walther occupies 185,000 square feet in their facility. The expansion adds over 40,000 square feet to the existing operation, encompassing industry-leading design engineering, product management and manufacturing capabilities. The expansion is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024. 

“Arkansas is proud to be home to Walther U.S. headquarters, both because we love jobs and because we love our Second Amendment. After meeting with the company during my European trade mission this summer, I’m thrilled they’ve decided to double down on their investment and grow their facility here in the Natural State, helping Fort Smith and the entire River Valley grow,” said Governor Sanders. 

“Walther is a world-renowned firearms company, and they have been a great corporate partner in Arkansas for the past decade,” said Clint O’Neal, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “We are excited to see the company grow in the Natural State, and we look forward to their continued success.” 

Walther established its operations in Arkansas in 2012, making Fort Smith its U.S. headquarters. Walther Manufacturing is the fabrication entity which manufactures all U.S. based products for the companies Walther and Umarex USA, utilizing a unique blend of advanced precision technology and authentic human craftsmanship. All three companies share a campus in Fort Smith. 

“My connection to Umarex and Walther goes back many years. They are a key fixture in the high-tech manufacturing fabric of the Fort Smith Region and a partner who shares our goal of growing and recruiting a talented workforce,” said Tim Allen, President and CEO of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. “It was a pleasure to work with the leadership at Walther again to secure this project in Fort Smith. We welcome Walther’s expansion as they further solidify their place in our community and allow it to meet the demand of its military, law enforcement and consumer markets.” 

Umarex to expand Fort Smith operation, add 76 jobs

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Umarex USA/Walther plans to invest $30 million in its Fort Smith operation at Chaffee Crossing and add 76 jobs. Of the investment, an estimated $8 million will be used to expand the facility and $22 million will be used to acquire machinery and equipment.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Thursday (Jan. 18) approved an Industrial Revenue Bond for the company to use to help finance the expansion.

“This is a great thing for the City of Fort Smith,” said Fort Smith Director Kevin Settle. “It gives me great excitement. Maybe somewhere down the road, we can work with the Fort Smith Police Department to switch to Walther Guns.”

Umarex to expand Fort Smith operation, add 76 jobs

Hope Baking Co. to expand, add 266 new jobs

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Hope Baking Co. is investing more than $37 million to expand its food manufacturing facility in Hope. The expansion is expected to create 266 new jobs over two years.

“Hope Baking Company is excited to be reinvigorating the operation of the bakery and equipment located in Hope, Arkansas and looks forward to steady expansion of its employment count,” said Dan Serra, owner of Hope Baking Co.

Hope Baking Company is a division of East Baking Company, which acquired Southern Bakeries in March 2023. Since the acquisition, the company has expanded the facility adding a new production line.

Hope Baking Co. to expand, add 266 new jobs

Bad Boy Mowers to add 300 jobs in Batesville

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Bad Boy Mowers will expand its facility in Batesville – again – creating 300 new jobs over the next five years.

“Bad Boy is committed to growing our Batesville roots deeper than ever, while furthering our reputation of quality, value and performance across the USA,” said Bad Boy Mowers CEO Peter Ballantyne. “Through new jobs and state-of-the-art facilities, we are showing our industry and the rest of the country what Arkansas can do.”

As part of the expansion, Bad Boy Mowers will build a new paint facility and shipping center while continuing to add manufacturing equipment. The company will also move its corporate office and truck shop to existing facilities and continue to expand its transportation fleet.

Bad Boy Mowers to add 300 jobs in Batesville

Clinton Center to undergo expansion, will add Hillary Rodham Clinton Institute

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The Clinton Foundation announced Tuesday (Aug. 8) plans for a major expansion of the Clinton Presidential Center. The foundation is partnering with Studio Gang, the award-winning international architecture and urban design practice led by Jeanne Gang, to design the project.

Studio Gang was part of the architecture team that designed the renovated Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. A dollar amount for the expansion was not disclosed.

The proposed expansion will enhance the Clinton Center’s ability to host exhibitions, convene global leaders, and provide educational opportunities, it said in a news release. The expansion will also include the new Hillary Rodham Clinton Institute that will hold her personal archives and papers, and serve as a hub for her nonprofit and advocacy work.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/clinton-center-to-undergo-expansion-will-add-hillary-rodham-clinton-institute/

Arkansas Children’s CEO hopes to open expanded facilities by 2026

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Children’s CEO Marcy Doderer said expansion plans in central and northwest Arkansas are being driven by different factors and she’s optimistic that new facilities can be in service by early 2026.

Over a week ago, Arkansas Children’s announced a $318 million expansion that will add up to 100 new doctors and 400 new support staff.

Appearing on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics, Doderer said the hospital’s Springdale campus is feeling pressure from the population growth in the region.

“Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW) just celebrated five years of being in existence. I can’t believe it’s gone that fast. It was built as a small community hospital knowing that we would probably steadily and readily have to expand it in order to meet the needs of that community,” she said. “As the population continues to really move up in northwest Arkansas, there are more kids demanding services from our state. What we’ve also found though, is being up there in that corner of Arkansas, we are attractive to families in eastern Oklahoma and southern Missouri, so we find it’s now time to expand our spaces at ACNW.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/arkansas-childrens-ceo-hopes-to-open-expanded-facilities-by-2026/

Arkansas Children’s announces $318M expansion plan

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Little Rock-based pediatric healthcare organization Arkansas Children’s is planning a $318 million expansion to increase child healthcare in Arkansas.

“Pediatric health needs are more complex than ever before, and we are committed to the highest levels of access and health care quality for the children and families across the state,” Arkansas Children’s President and CEO Marcy Doderer said. “This plan includes recruiting more than 100 new providers and 400 new team members, adding new programs, and building and modernizing facilities.”

According to the news release, the expansion will begin this summer and last nearly a decade. It will include construction projects at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock and Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW) in Springdale.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/arkansas-childrens-announces-318m-expansion-plan/

Arkansas Children's Northwest in Springdale.

Sam’s Club to build 30 new clubs, expand fulfillment network

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Sam’s Club announced Thursday (Jan. 26) plans to build 30 new U.S. locations. A timeline was not disclosed, but Sam’s Club CEO Kath McLay said the new clubs will be 160,000 square-feet larger than most stores and have more space for health and foodservice.

The retailer said the first expanded location will open in Florida by 2024. The larger footprint will make space for a seafood/sushi island, a full-service floral department, and walk-in coolers for dairy and fresh foods. There also will be more space allocated for health services to accommodate a patient waiting area, serve suites, private consultation rooms, and dedicated hearing and optical centers. Plans also include more liquor offerings and fuel stations.

As Sam’s e-commerce business also continues to grow, the retailer plans to provide more space for curbside pickup, delivery and ship to home orders in the new clubs.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/01/sams-club-to-build-30-new-clubs-expand-fulfillment-network/