Business News

‘Hybrid’ system proposed for new IEC

A proposed restructuring of the Fort Smith Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) includes a “hybrid” incubator/advanced business support center that would be housed at Chaffee Crossing and directed by a “BIG Board” with relationships to investors, banks and other investment sources.

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:43pm

HMA, Murphy report quarterly gains

Four companies based or active in Arkansas and involved in trucking, energy, timber and medicine pushed out earnings reports Wednesday (July 27), with all reporting positive net income for the second quarter.

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 5:50pm

Whirlpool to cut 65 jobs

Whirlpool Corp. officials announced Wednesday (July 27) the reduction of up to 25 salaried jobs in Fort Smith and confirmed that ending indoor ice maker production will result in up to 40 jobs lost by the end of August.

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 2:43pm

Acxiom hires new CEO, posts first quarter income gain

Little Rock-based Acxiom Corp. reported Wednesday (July 27) a fiscal first quarter profit of $10.975 million and announced that former Microsoft exec Scott Howe is the new president and CEO.

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 1:18pm

FAA furlough to delay Fort Smith airport work

story by Aric Mitchell
amitchell@thecitywire.com

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:31am

Things to consider before leasing space

Aggressive negotiations, awareness of ancillary costs and other factors are important in obtaining a equitable lease.

Tue, 07/26/2011 - 3:43pm

Area home sales down 13%

The number of homes sold in the Fort Smith area is down 13.39% during the first half of 2011, with homes sold statewide down 11.16%.

Tue, 07/26/2011 - 10:48am

Fort Smith street tax revenue down in June report

Fort Smith’s June revenue report saw collections on the city’s 1% street tax decline, ending seven consecutive months of year-over-year increases.

Tue, 07/26/2011 - 9:04am

BancorpSouth posts earnings, revenue gains

Improvements in loan quality helped Tupelo, Miss.-based BancorpSouth post second quarter per share earnings of 15 cents, handily beating analyst estimates of 4 cents per share.

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 4:44pm

Arkansas jobless rate up to 8.1%

Arkansas’ jobless rate jumped to an estimated 8.1% in June, a level not seen since June 1987. Also, Arkansas was just one of eight states to post an unemployment rate increase in June compared to June 2010.

Fri, 07/22/2011 - 11:15am

Rumors tie Murphy Oil to Canadian company

Although the rumors abound about a possible deal between El Dorado-based Murphy Oil Corp. and Calgary, Alberta-based Husky Energy, there is no clear information about a possible deal, and both companies remain quiet ahead of their July 27 quarterly earnings reports.

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 1:28pm

Legal deal pushes Whirlpool to a quarterly loss

Settlement of a longstanding dispute with a Brazilian bank resulted in a second quarter loss of $161 million for Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corp.

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 1:24pm

Simmons, Home Bancshares post income gains

Editor’s note: Roby Brock, with our content partner Talk Business, wrote this report. He can be reached at roby@talkbusiness.net

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 9:50am

USA Truck financials re-enter positive territory

Van Buren-based USA Truck re-entered positive territory during the second quarter with revenue up more than 22% and net income moving into the black after two consecutive quarters of more than $4.5 million in losses.

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 8:45am

Fort Smith budget in better shape

So far, so good, with respect to the Fort Smith budget — a far cry from this time in 2010 when two rounds of budget cuts were needed in response to tax shortfalls.

Wed, 07/20/2011 - 5:31pm

The Compass Report: June 2011 Numbers by the Wire

Area sales and hospitality tax collections continue to show improvements, but economists believe higher fuel and commodity prices have depressed consumer spending.

Wed, 07/20/2011 - 12:22pm

Become socially savvy

Building a marketing and communication plan around social network can boost any business. 

Tue, 07/19/2011 - 7:48am

$2 million project begins in downtown Fort Smith

Construction began Monday (July 18) on a more than $2 million development that will see a convenience store, cafe and liquor store added to the mix of businesses in downtown Fort Smith.

Mon, 07/18/2011 - 1:57pm

Whirlpool production again in question

The employee count at Whirlpool’s Fort Smith plant has remained relatively low for so long that the company has had to spray the parking lot with weed killer.

And sources say the activity at what was once one of the largest manufacturing operations in Arkansas may dwindle further.

Mon, 07/18/2011 - 10:58am

Foreclosure activity down in area

Officials with Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac say procedural problems and not an improving economy are at the root of a 29% decline in foreclosure activity around the nation during the first half of 2011.

Mon, 07/18/2011 - 8:12am