Business News

Area advertising group announces awards

Sponsored by Times Record and Central Mall, AAF-Fort Smith presented its 2012 ADDY Awards for advertising creative excellence Feb. 18, 2011 at Fianna Hills Country Club in Fort Smith.

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 6:45pm

Windstream, Deltic Timber report income declines

Windstream Corp. produced fourth quarter and full-year financials that resembled the Clint Eastwood classic — “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.”

The results were only slightly better for El Dorado-based Deltic Timber.

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 6:24pm

Large-market Arkansas home sales down in January

Information in the inaugural The City Wire’s Arkansas Home Sales Report indicates that Arkansas’ housing market continues on a slow pace toward recovery, with low interest rates and economic uncertainty competing for the attention of potential home buyers.

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 3:00pm

2012 forecast mixed for airline industry

Forecasting what will happen in the airline industry is about as unpredictable as forecasting the weather.

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 2:59pm

Thailand trade seminar

The World Trade Center Arkansas will host the Commercial Minister of Thailand for a trade seminar at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 27 at the organization’s headquarters in Rogers.

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 2:19pm

Dickson Street Liquor store expansion

Another downtown landmark in Fayetteville is getting a face lift. Dickson Street Liquor store owner William Waite will add 2,000 square feet to the historic building that has been its home since 1964.

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 1:27pm

New president named for St. Edward

Ryan Gehrig, a former student of Subiaco Academy, has been named the new president of St. Edward Mercy Health in Fort Smith. His first official day on the job is April 9.

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:35am

Wal-Mart shares downgraded

The first of the major brokerage houses have downgraded Wal-Mart Stores Inc. from a strong buy to a neutral position while trimming the expectations for the retail giant in the next six months.

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 11:21am

Summit Medical plans new clinic opening

Summit Medical Center will conduct a formal opening of its new surgery clinic at 10 a.m. on Feb. 28.

Summit Surgery Clinic, located with the hospital at 2010 Chestnut, Suite A, was recently joined by Dr. Joe Padilla Jr.

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 4:45pm

Lofts at Underwood Plaza now ‘The Dickson’

A troubled nine-story condo and retail building on Fayetteville’s Dickson Street and adjacent to the University of Arkansas campus has a new marketing and management plan that could help Arvest Bank and the new owners see a financial return.

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 3:59pm

Wal-Mart profits disappoint investors

Wal-Mart investors spot more than one reason to sell Tuesday (Feb. 22) as the retail giant’s fourth quarter profits slid 14.7% to $5.163 billion for what is typically the busiest shopping time of the year — November, December and January.

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 12:54pm

Competition, impact increases for area volleyball club

It's back to work at the Fort Smith Juniors Volleyball club.

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 12:05pm

Arvest mortgage service revenue up 8%

Arvest Bank reported Tuesday (Feb. 21) an 8% increase in 2011 mortgage lending and servicing activities, from $553 million in 2010 to $598 million.

In contrast, the Mortgage Bankers Association projected 2011 purchase loans to be down 14% nationally.

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 11:21am

Area permit values down 67% in January

Building permit values in Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren combined to total $13.275 million in January, down 67% compared to the $40.175 million in January 2011.

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 10:57am

Car-Mart shares up 104% in past year

The newest Bentonville behemoth, America’s Car-Mart, hit the road at full speed this year and the company’s stock is expected to continue its rally. Car-Mart shares (NASDAQ:CRMT) have risen 104% in the past year on robust profits and healthy earnings.

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 10:14pm

Arkansas Best seeks space, subsidiary growth

About 50 Arkansas Best employees will in a few months move into the former Best Buy building fronting Interstate 540 in Fort Smith as part of a move to create more space for the company’s growing “non-asset” based business.

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 6:20pm

Nano critics don’t faze local scientist

Nano means small.

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 2:25pm

Arvest promotes Lisa Ray

Veteran banker Lisa Ray was selected by Arvest Bank as the new CEO and president for the bank’s Springdale market.

Ray replaces CEO Dennis Smiley effective April 1, when he relocates to head up Arvest Benton County following the retirement of David Short.

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 12:16pm

Beef, pork exports set record

Exports of U.S. pork and beef set new records in 2011, reaching all-time highs in both volume and value. According to year-end statistics released by U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S.

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 11:54am

ABF scores high on training list

For the third consecutive year, Fort Smith-based ABF Freight System is listed among Training magazine's Training Top 125, which ranks companies' excellence in employer-sponsored training and development programs.

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 9:32am