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1 week ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
Construction industry leaders and high school students from across Arkansas have gathered at the Hot Springs Convention Center for a SkillsUSA Conference Tuesday and Wednesday, aiming to address a looming workforce crisis in the construction industry. The National Center for Construction Education and Research projects that 41% of the construction workforce will retire by 2031.
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1 week ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
Arkansas’ higher education admissions, scholarships and funding are getting a refresh. Signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on March 18, Arkansas ACCESS, a legislative overhaul of the state’s higher education system, aims to transform how Arkansas colleges and universities operate.
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2 weeks ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
The Venture Center had an economic impact of $62.3 million in Arkansas from 2019 to 2023, according to a recent 62-page analysis released by Boyette Strategic Advisors of Little Rock. Most of that impact — $44.8 million — was in Pulaski County. The Venture Center, a business-focused nonprofit in Little Rock, aims to support entrepreneurs through accelerators, mentorship, community programs and strategic events. It was founded in 2014.
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2 weeks ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
BOND.AI of Little Rock on Monday launched a new health care app in partnership with Arkansas Heart Hospital of Little Rock that aims to uncover the root causes of aging and chronic disease. The 101+ app analyzes more than 150 clinical biomarkers and 500 data points through artificial intelligence. It also delivers personalized health recommendations based on an individual’s biological profile.
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2 weeks ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) of Little Rock is awarding grants to 25 projects across the state, totaling $1.86 million. The grants represent the third round of ARA’s Impact Grant program, but this is the first time the awards have been made available to researchers outside of the ARA Academy of Scholars and Fellows.
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2 weeks ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
It has already been a big year for SupplyPike, a Rogers software company that helps suppliers recover lost revenue from retailer deductions and chargebacks. The company announced in February that its suppliers have recovered more than $1 billion in invalid retailer deductions via SupplyPike’s work. Ryan Petty, senior product manager, said retailers deduct significant amounts from supplier payments through fees, fines and chargebacks, which can erode total sales by 5% to 10%.
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2 weeks ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
For Gen Z, everything must be digital. And Arkansas banks are finding that expectations are high. Born between the late 1990s and 2012, Generation Z is challenging traditional institutions to evolve faster than ever before. Local bankers are figuring out what it takes to attract their youngest generation of customers, whether it be advanced digital tools or simplified processes.
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3 weeks ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
Steel executives across Arkansas remain optimistic despite the recent volatility surrounding steel tariffs, even while they’re closely monitoring policy changes for guidance on future investments. Dave Stickler, CEO of Hybar LLC of Osceola, told Arkansas Business that steel companies will benefit from a “fair trading environment” under the tariffs. “All we’re really looking for is a fair playing field,” Stickler said.
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1 month ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
Data and marketing technology company Acxiom of Conway has laid off 3.5% of its staff as it undergoes internal restructuring, Acxiom’s parent company, The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (IPG) of New York City, confirmed to Arkansas Business Thursday. Around 130 employees were laid off last week, according to Caitlin Wroblewski, senior vice president of communications at Acxiom and its sister company, Kinesso of New York City. A very small number of those workers were in Arkansas.
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1 month ago | 
arkansasbusiness.com | Chloe McGehee
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday signed into law a higher education reform bill known as Arkansas ACCESS that aims to grow the number of skilled workers in the state. Sanders, speaking at an Arkansas Economic Development Foundation luncheon, said the legislation means “more welders, more electrical engineers, more computer scientists,” as well as more graduates in nursing, agriculture science and industrial manufacturing.
