U.S. Marshals Museum opening, pilot training center top Fort Smith metro stories in 2023

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

The long-awaited opening of the U.S. Marshals Museum and the final decision to place a foreign pilot training center in Fort Smith were two of the top news stories in the Fort Smith metro during 2023.

Following are the top five stories, followed by a list of other notable news.

1. U.S. Marshals Museum finally opens
After more than 16 years of fundraising struggles and leadership changes, the U.S. Marshals Museum opened in downtown Fort Smith on June 29. Just under 10,000 people would visit the museum in its first month.

In January 2007, the U.S. Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the site for the national museum. The Robbie Westphal family, led by Bennie Westphal and Robin Westphal Clegg, donated the riverfront land for the museum. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in September 2015. Museum officials initially hoped to have the facility open by late 2017, but struggles to raise money delayed the opening. Construction of the approximately 53,000-square-foot U.S. Marshals Museum was completed — except for exhibits — in early 2020.

U.S. Marshals Museum opening, pilot training center top Fort Smith metro stories in 2023

Tyson Foods faces scrutiny over plant closures

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Tyson Foods may have violated the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) in the effort to close large poultry processing operations in Van Buren and Glen Allen, Va., according to Peter Carstensen, law professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School.

Springdale-based Tyson gave workers at the two plants – almost 1,000 in Van Buren and just under 700 jobs in Virginia – the required 60 days notice that the plants would close on May 12. However, the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) requires growers who supply chicken processing plants be given at least 90 days notice before ending a contract.

Carstensen said violation of the PSA and lack of 90-day notice for growers is likely to draw antitrust scrutiny, Carstensen said in a report first published by Reuters. If Tyson is found in violation of the PSA the company could face fines up to $29,270 per contract, he added.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/03/tyson-foods-faces-scrutiny-over-plant-closures/

USA Truck to be acquired in a $435 million deal

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

Van Buren-based USA Truck is being bought by Germany-based DB Schenker in a $435 million deal expected to close by the end of the year. The deal is for $31.72 per share of USA Truck (NASDAQ: USAK) and was approved by the USA Truck board of directors.

Company shares closed Thursday at $14.58, meaning the acquisition price target represents a 117.5% premium. The share price jumped above $30 in early Friday trading.

The deal also will see the company delist from NASDAQ and become a private company with Schenker’s global logistics operation. The deal has a possible termination date of March 23, 2023, if the deal is not completed by that date. The deal also includes a $10 million breakup fee to be paid by USA Truck if it pursues another acquirer or takes other prescribed actions.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/usa-truck-to-be-acquired-in-a-435-million-deal/