Mike Preston

On Aug. 15, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s (AEDC) Division of Rural Services announced that it will award $808,146.04 to Arkansas schools and educators to support conservation education programs in the 2022-2023 school year. Applications are open to any school…

A stand of white oak trees, the work ethic of the area’s residents and the care shown by Independence County leaders lured a barrel manufacturer to build a stave-making plant west of Batesville. The Independent Stave Company will begin production…

Wachter Inc. has announced that it will be expanding operations in Lowell. The nationwide technology solutions integrator, as part of its expansion to Benton County, plans to hire 116 new employees, which would bring the company’s total employment in the…

A manufacturer of high-quality oak barrels and cooperage products plans to construct a state-of-the-art mill near Batesville to produce staves for bourbon and wine barrels, according to recent press release shared by the AEDC. Independent Stave Company, the largest barrel…

There’s a lot about the new $3 billion U.S. Steel plant, bound for Osceola in Arkansas’ Mississippi County, that’s just this side of surreal. The growing presence of steel, an industry that’s cropped up in this flat, open corner of…

Across the great state of Arkansas, businesses are producing goods and services that are helping to drive the global economy. Arkansas produces materials for the aerospace industry, parts for the automotive industry, food products, ammunition, timber and much more. Arkansas’…

12 teams of college students have advanced to the final round of the 2022 annual Arkansas Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, presented by Arkansas Capital Corporation. Six of the teams, three in the High-Growth / Technology Division and three…

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission has named Jennifer Emerson as its Deputy Director and Executive Vice President (EVP) of Operations. In her new role, Emerson will provide leadership to several divisions within the agency, including Business Finance, EPSCoR, Grants, Rural…

Envirotech Vehicles, a provider of new zero-emission, purpose-built electric vehicles, has announced Osceola, Arkansas as the site of its previously announced state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The company has purchased an approximately 580,000 square foot facility, located at 1425 Ohlendorf Road, and…

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Division of Rural Services has awarded over $502,838 in grants to 183 schools, school districts and conservation districts throughout Arkansas to promote wildlife education and improve school conservation programs.  The grants are funded by the…