The Supply Side: Natural State Beef seeks to place Arkansas beef in more stores

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Harrison-based Natural State Beef is the brainchild of Mike Fountain who said in 2020 when he could not find ground beef at the grocery store amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he began to think about the need for local beef supplies in his home state.

“It was very frustrating to see the local cattle supply backing up because commercial slaughter plants and feed lots were barely running because of worker shortages,” said the third-generation farmer and rancher.

Fountain said he has been in the cattle business his entire life, but when he was young his grandad also raised hogs. He said after feeding the pigs, he would sell them for profit. But over the years, family hog farms have died off, except for a few commercial farms for large companies. He said the Arkansas dairy industry also dried up, and he just could not sit back and watch the cow-calf industry also fold because of the lack of commercial markets.

The Supply Side: Natural State Beef seeks to place Arkansas beef in more stores

U.S. Highway 67 designated as Interstate 57

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

A stretch of Interstate 57, formerly U.S. Highway 67 from North Little Rock to Walnut Ridge has been designated as an interstate. The 120 mile swath is part of a highway that connects Canada to Mexico and goes through large cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas and Little Rock.

“Designating the sections of U.S. Highway 67 that already meet Interstate standards as Interstate 57 highlights this route and the cities and counties along this route for economic growth and job creation,” said Arkansas Highway Commission Chairman Alec Farmer. “This designation’s true value is connecting this north-south interstate route from Interstates 30 and 40 in central Arkansas via an existing Interstate 57 Mississippi River Bridge with many of the nation’s other primary east-west routes such as Interstates 70, 80 and 90 – better connecting Arkansas with the rest of the country.”

Arkansas has about 16,400 miles of paved roads but only about 800 miles are designated as interstate. The more interstate miles a state has improves its economic viability, Farmer said. State officials have been pushing for I-57 to become an interstate for more than six decades.

U.S. Highway 67 designated as Interstate 57

Arkansas Highway Commission Chairman Alec Farmer.

Board of Corrections votes to accept land for planned prison

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Board of Corrections (BOC) on Friday (Nov. 8) voted to accept the land for a planned 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County. The move comes after considerable protest from county residents and Arkansas legislators who represent the area.

Six of the seven-member BOC voted to accept the land, with one member abstaining.

Gov. Sarah Sanders, Arkansas Department of Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace, Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness, and other state and local officials announced Oct. 31 that the state has purchased land north of Charleston in Franklin County to build the prison. The cost for the 815 acres was $2.9 million.

More than 1,800 area residents attended a town hall Thursday to ask questions about the prison and push back against it being built in Franklin County.

Board of Corrections votes to accept land for planned prison

Issue 2 passes, Pope County casino dead; Issue 1 receives voter approval

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Tens of millions of dollars spent for and against an effort to block construction of a casino in Pope County with a constitutional amendment resulted in the passage of Issue 2. Voter approval of the issue means a Pope County casino will not be built.

Arkansas Secretary of State numbers show that 55.8% of voters were for Issue 2 as of 11:45 p.m. However, 55.6% of Pope County voters were against Issue 2 – an amendment based on the belief that voters should have a say about having a casino in their county.

Voters overwhelmingly approved Issue 1 with 89.7% of the vote as of 11:45 p.m. Issue 1 was a referred constitutional amendment from the Arkansas General Assembly that would expand the use of lottery proceeds so that they can be used to fund scholarships for Arkansas citizens enrolled in vocational- technical schools and technical institutes. The popular legislative referral was pushed by Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Elm Springs, and Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock.

Issue 2 passes, Pope County casino dead; Issue 1 receives voter approval

Eureka Springs voters decide to retain hospitality taxes, tourism commission

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Eureka Springs will retain its hospitality tax revenue and its adverting and promotion commission after 71.2% of voters in the tourism-focused city rejected a citizen initiative to put an end to the tax and the commission.

The final tally, according to the Carroll County Clerk’s office, had 839 votes against Issue 3 – the measure to remove the tax – and 339 votes for.

“It was the Eureka Springs business community that realized that the lifeblood of Eureka Springs is tourism. Without tourism, and without the promotion of tourism … the town could not exist. This was the business community and a tourism workforce of almost 3,000 people saying they wanted to keep this thing alive,” Mike Maloney, tourism director of the Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission, told Talk Business & Politics.

Eureka Springs voters decide to retain hospitality taxes, tourism commission

All four of Arkansas’ GOP U.S. House members re-elected

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

In deep red Arkansas, outcomes of races in the state’s four Congressional districts provided no surprises, with all four of the GOP incumbents coasting to easy reelection wins. But as of late Tuesday night, it was unclear if they were returning to the majority in the U.S. House.

In the 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, defeated Democrat Rodney Govens and Libertarian Steve Parsons. As of 11 p.m., and with 81% of precincts reporting, Crawford received 72.8% of the vote, Govens had 24.9%, and Parsons was at 3.04%. The win sends Crawford to Congress for his eighth two-year term.

In the 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, defeated Democrat Marcus Jones. As of 11 p.m., and with 75% of precincts reporting, Hill received 57.1% of the vote, and Jones had 42.9%. Hill returns to Congress for his sixth two-year term.

All four of Arkansas’ GOP U.S. House members re-elected

ARDOT receives $43.9 million grant for Helena Bridge

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

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) received a $43.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Bridge Investment Program for rehabilitation of the U.S. Highway 49 Mississippi River Bridge between Helena-West Helena, Ark., and Lula, Miss.

This project is a collaborative effort between ARDOT, the lead grant applicant, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), a co-applicant, for the rehabilitation of the Helena Bridge.

The Helena Bridge is a critical Mississippi River crossing of local, national, and international importance. This Mississippi River crossing is nearly one mile long and is currently rated as being in “poor” condition.

ARDOT receives $43.9 million grant for Helena Bridge

SPP approves $7.7 billion plan to expand, upgrade transmission capacity

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

Little Rock-based regional transmission organization Southwest Power Pool has approved a $7.7 billion plan to expand and upgrade the region’s transmission capacity, according to a Tuesday (Oct. 29) news release.

The organization’s board of directors approved the plan Tuesday as demand rises for reliable electricity throughout its service territory, which includes a part of Arkansas.

According to the release, SPP’s 2024 Integrated Transmission Plan is the single largest portfolio in terms of size and value that SPP has proposed for construction in its 20-year history as a transmission planning coordinator. The approved plan includes 89 transmission upgrades needed to address increasing electricity consumption and changes in the region’s generating fleet. The 89 projects represent 2,333 miles of new transmission and 495 miles of transmission rebuilds.

SPP approves $7.7 billion plan to expand, upgrade transmission capacity

Law prohibits the wearing of political-advocacy apparel in voting centers

by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)

Electioneering is prohibited 100 feet from the door of every voting center in Arkansas and this includes wearing campaign shirts, hats, or any other apparel with images or words that advocate for or against a candidate.

Arkansas law defines electioneering as the “display of, or audible dissemination of, information that advocates for or against any candidate, issue, or measure on a ballot.

It includes distributing campaign literature or literature regarding a candidate, issue or measure on the ballot; soliciting signatures on any petition; soliciting contributions; displaying a candidates name, likeness or logo; displaying a ballot measure’s number, title, subject or logo; displaying or dissemination of buttons, hats, pencils, pens, shirts, signs or stickers containing electioneering information; and disseminating audible electioneering information.

Law prohibits the wearing of political-advocacy apparel in voting centers

Freight recession likely to continue into early 2025

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

The less-than-truckload (LTL) market is faring better but still has freight volumes below pre-pandemic levels, according to Jason Miller, logistics professor at Michigan State University, who took part in a Journal of Commerce webcast on Oct. 24.

He also said the over-the-road full-truckload market is soft at best with October spot rates down a bit from a year ago.

Miller said the earliest he sees a recovery taking shape is last in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2025. He said a weaker global economy does not bode well for exports and despite the higher container volume coming into the U.S. this year, there has not been an uptick in freight demand large enough to move the needle.

Freight recession likely to continue into early 2025

Delta Regional Authority funds 4 projects in Arkansas

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

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced Monday (Oct. 28) an investment of more than $25 million toward 25 projects through its Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF).

These projects span seven states within DRA’s eight-service region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri and Mississippi. Funding for this program was made available, in part, by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden. None of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation voted in support of the infrastructure law.

In Arkansas, there are four projects that were funded bringing more than $5 million to the state.

Delta Regional Authority funds 4 projects in Arkansas

UA launches National Office of Advancement

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

The University of Arkansas Division of University Advancement has established a National Office of Advancement to enhance the university’s engagement and broaden its impact across the United States, the university announced Wednesday (Oct. 23).

The UA has appointed four national directors of philanthropy to the new office. According to the release, the directors will leverage the UA’s alumni network to promote the university’s fundraising priorities. The directors will also work with alumni groups, including the Arkansas Alumni Association National Board of Directors and Arkansas Alumni Chapters throughout the United States.

The directors’ mission includes “fostering a spirit of fellowship among alumni, providing continuous updates on the university’s progress and needs beyond the Fayetteville campus, and encouraging unified support among alumni and stakeholders for key initiatives.”

UA launches National Office of Advancement

Crawford County seeks more time to negotiate judgment amount in library lawsuit

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Lawyers for Crawford County on Wednesday (Oct. 23) sought an extension to respond to the settlement of a financial award in a lawsuit related to the removal and relocation of books in the county’s library system.

U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III ruled Sept. 30 against Crawford County in a First Amendment lawsuit regarding the removal and relocation of books largely because of objections from citizens to LGBTQ content.

In his decision, Holmes states that the “Court finds that even when the evidentiary record is construed in the light most favorable to the Defendants, it is indisputable that the creation and maintenance of the social section was motivated in substantial part by a desire to impede users’ access to books containing viewpoints that are unpopular or controversial in Crawford County.”

Crawford County seeks more time to negotiate judgment amount in library lawsuit

UA announces Arkansas Business Hall of Fame class of 2025

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

The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has selected four business leaders for the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame class of 2025.

Inductees are:
• Sam Alley, chairman of VCC.
• John W. Allison, chairman and CEO of Home BancShares.
• The late Jerry Brewer, chairman and co-founder of Staffmark.
ª John N. Roberts III, executive chairman of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

“The 2025 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame class represents a remarkable addition to an institution that honors our state’s legacy of business excellence,” said Brent Williams, dean of Walton College. “These four distinguished individuals have profoundly impacted their respective industries, the economy of Arkansas and beyond. Their exceptional careers and dedication to their communities will inspire our students and future business leaders for years to come.”

Alley, Allison, Brewer and Roberts will be recognized for their contributions to the construction, banking, staffing, and transportation industries in Arkansas and the region in a ceremony at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock on Feb. 14, 2025.

UA announces Arkansas Business Hall of Fame class of 2025

2025 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame inductees (from top left), Sam Alley, John Allison, John Roberts III, and Jerry Brewer

UA professor to study bias with $3.4 million federal grant

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

Anastasia Makhanova, a psychology professor at the University of Arkansas, has been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. She will use the money to lead a five-year study on how stress and illness may cause bias in healthcare workers.

“Most people tend to focus on individual differences when it comes to looking at bias,” Makhanova said. “There’s been a lot less attention to the fact that the same people can make more biased decisions in particular situations.”

Research shows that, on average, patients from racial and ethnic minority groups receive worse care than white patients. By identifying situations that could cause a medical provider to act with increased bias, Makhanova’s research can show health care workers the more effective times to use existing anti-bias strategies. The results could also lead to systematic changes that reduce burnout and encourage health care providers to not work when they are sick.

UA professor to study bias with $3.4 million federal grant

NIH awards Arkansas Children’s Research Institute $2.9 million for cystic fibrosis

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

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded $2.9 million to Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) to examine how a critical therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) might become even more effective at treating the genetic respiratory illness.

The five-year study will be led by Dr. Jennifer S. Guimbellot, chief of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where she also serves as an associate professor of Pediatrics.

CF is a progressive disorder that severely damages the lungs, digestive system and other organs by affecting cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. For decades, CF therapies focused on reducing the problems the condition caused and made it easier to live with the symptoms. Improvements in screening and treatments helped people with CF live into their 40s and 50s.

NIH awards Arkansas Children’s Research Institute $2.9 million for cystic fibrosis

Arkansas Edge unveils program to raise money for Razorback athletes

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

Arkansas Edge, the name, image, and likeness (NIL) group for the Arkansas Razorbacks, has launched the Spare Change Round Up program, allowing people to round up their purchases to support Razorback student-athletes, according to a Friday (Oct. 18) news release.

Those who enroll can link their debit cards, credit cards or checking accounts to automatically contribute spare change from their purchases to NIL initiatives.

“Fans have expressed a desire for a way to round up purchases to support NIL opportunities, and we’re excited to introduce the Spare Change Round Up program,” said Kyle May, executive director of Arkansas Edge. “This scalable and effortless approach allows fans to participate easily and choose how much they want to contribute without needing individual programs with each merchant and regardless of where they bank or live.”

Arkansas Edge unveils program to raise money for Razorback athletes

Report: Arkansas tourism industry adds $9.9 billion to state economy

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

Arkansas tourism is now a $9.9 billion industry, and an estimated 50.7 million people visiting the state in 2023, up 17.1% compared with 2022 visitors, according to an economic impact study commissioned by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

The study, announced Thursday (Oct. 17), was conducted by Tourism Economics with input from DK Shifflet.

Arkansas State Parks recorded 8.4 million visitors in 2023, and 4.3 million people visited National Park Service sites in the state. The new visitors spent an additional $700 million, pushing the industry to the verge of becoming a $10 billion industry and solidifying its position as Arkansas’ second largest economic driver, according to the report.

Report: Arkansas tourism industry adds $9.9 billion to state economy

No recent progress on dissolution of Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority

by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)

Four months after Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) officials and its beneficiaries agreed on steps to be taken before work on dissolution of the trust can begin, nothing has been accomplished.

The FCRA was formed in 1997 to oversee redevelopment of 6,000 acres of land released by the U.S. Army from Fort Chaffee as part of a Base Realignment and Closure downsizing. The trust has four beneficiaries – the cities of Barling, Fort Smith and Greenwood and Sebastian County. The cities of Barling, Fort Smith and Greenwood and the Sebastian County Quorum Court have passed resolutions calling for FCRA dissolution. Only the authority board can vote to dissolve the organization.

Representatives of the four beneficiaries and FCRA representatives planned to meet Tuesday (Oct. 15) to look at a projection of property for sale and estimated revenues and expenses for the next four years, but not all representatives could attend, said Barling Mayor Greg Murray. The involved parties are hoping to meet in November, he said.

No recent progress on dissolution of Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority

$72 million Hotel Vin breaks ground in Pinnacle Hills

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

A more than $72 million Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott is under construction in Pinnacle Hills, west of Interstate 49 in Rogers, according to a Wednesday (Oct. 16) news release.

The 125-room Hotel Vin Pinnacle Hills along Northgate Road will be built across from the $110 million mixed-used project The Plaza at Pinnacle Hills, northwest of West Northgate Road and South Champions Drive. The hotel will include a restaurant, rooftop bar, pool, and meeting and event space.

Hotel Vin Pinnacle Hills is a development of Indiana-based Great Lakes Capital, a real estate development and private equity firm, and Dallas-based Coury Hospitality, a hotel management company. The hotel will be an expansion of Coury’s Vin Hotel Collection brand, comprising the 120-room boutique Hotel Vin in Grapevine, Texas.

$72 million Hotel Vin breaks ground in Pinnacle Hills