Arkansas Business back issues from April 2003:
Arkansans slow to connect to broadband.
Apr 07, 2003; ... BROADBAND SERVICES -- ESSENTIALLY turbo-charged Internet connections -- have grown slowly in. Arkansas as well as the rest of the nation. Lofty expectations of a broadband frenzy similar to the dot-corn and tech boom of the 1990s haven't, quite materialized. Getting customers ...
SBC long-distance ranks third in Arkansas after first year.
Apr 07, 2003; ... IN A SINGLE YEAR, SBC Communications Inc. captured enough long-distance telephone business in Arkansas to become the state's third-largest interexchange carrier, annual reports filed with the Arkansas Public Service Commission disclose. SBC -- formerly known as Southwestern Bell ...
Ben Traylor: The first man to know the bad news.(Human Resources in Little Rock offers employment services and consulting)(Company Profile)
Apr 07, 2003; ... BEN TRAYLOR FREQUENTly knows when manufacturers are planning layoffs or plant closings well before the employees themselves. Then he's there to hold the displaced workers' hands. Large and small companies across the state hire Traylor and his staff at Human Resources ...
Retailing dirt. (Whispers).(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. invests $3.5 million for future Supercenter site)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... For those keeping score at home, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. paid nearly $3.5 million for its future Supercenter site 'in west Little Rock. That tallies out to about $2.85 per SF, a cheap price compared with other WalMart land buys in the area. The retailing giant recently ...
Courthouse transaction. (Whispers).(Community Bank of Cabot takes over residence of Walter Anderson)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... A 7,806-SF home in west Little Rock's Ridgefield Estates neighborhood was recovered in a $1 million foreclosure sale. Community Bank of Cabot took over the residence, previously owned by Walter Anderson. You might recall that Anderson led the Beverage Systems of ...
Dueling duels. (Whispers).(piano bars to compete in Little Rock's River Market District )(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... We whispered two weeks ago about Willy D's, a dueling piano bar set to open later this month in the River Market District in Little Rock. Now it appears the neighborhood will have dueling dueling piano bars. Ernie Bigg's, a "Chicago-style" dueling piano bar will ...
Anthony Michael update. (Whispers).(Southwestern Bell Advertising L.P. seeks money from W. Anthony Michael )(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Southwestern Bell Advertising L.P. can be added to a list of businesses that have a beef with W. Anthony Michael, owner of Cross-Eyed Pig in Little Rock. Southwestern Bell said Michael owes $7,805 for advertisements in the Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages, according to a lawsuit ...
Michael part duex. (Whispers).(the Arkansas State Medical Board's case against Michael )(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... If you remember, the Arkansas State Medical Board filed a complaint against Michael in Pulaski County Chancery Court in 2001 because Michael put "MD" after his name in Southwestern Bell's Little Rock/North Little Rock telephone directory. The court ordered Michael to stop ...
Smoothie King update. (Whispers).(new name is Grand Central Smoothie Station )(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Smoothie King at 9112 Rodney Parham Road is now called Grand Central Smoothie Station. But what you probably don't know is the owners of the former Smoothie King, Michelle and Joey Willoughby, made the change because of a fight with the Smoothie King's corporate office. ...
Harris judgment. (Whispers).(Arkansas Auto Auction owner Jody Harris sued for fraud)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... You probably heard by now that Arkansas Auto Auction owner Jody Harris has pleaded guilty to four felony counts of writing hot checks and was sentenced to 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. But you probably didn't know that Harris and Arkansas Auto Auction ...
Murphy Group. (Whispers).(public relations firm reopens)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... A former owner of Brannon's Market in Little Rock has reopened The Murphy Group, a marketing and public relations firm that specializes in media campaigns for nonprofit organizations. Cindy Murphy ...
That's fine. (Whispers).(Cecil's Fine Jewelry store to be sold)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Mike Gerwig says he's selling Cecil's Fine Jewelry at 10720 N. Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock and moving to northwest Arkansas to be ...
Fowl rap. (Editorial).(Tyson Foods Inc. cleared of conspiracy charges)(Editorial)
Apr 07, 2003 ... TYSON FOODS INC. HAS BEEN cleared of any charges of conspiracy, transporting of illegal workers and document falsification by a federal jury at Chattanooga, Tenn. As the number of charges dwindled, we wondered why this case ever went to trial. Tyson officials clearly made the ...
Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Nursing Home Industry Responds After reading your comment last week about nursing home liability insurance reform I wondered, "Is there a plaintiff's attorney from Florida making editorial comments in Arkansas Business?" The comment had a tone we've been hearing from plaintiff's ...
Knee-Jerk reactions. (Editor's Note).(Arkansas mulls rulings on the Pledge of Allegiance, cigarette taxes )(Editorial)
Apr 07, 2003; ... IRAN INTO A YOUNG Democrat of my acquaintance in a lunch spot and, since it was a glorious April day in an odd-numbered year, we naturally began indulging in a bit of Legislature-bashing. Backward political cowards, we agreed. Few of them worthy of the office, we agreed. ...
Walgreen's locale. (Real Deals).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A 14,560-SF Waigreen's is in the works for west Little Rock after a $1.3 million land deal (about $13.50 per SF). BCD Arkansas Ltd., led by James E. Cox, bought the 2.3-acre site at the northwest corner of Cantrell and East Taylor Loop roads. The seller is Cantrell Loop LLC, led ...
High-rise dirt. (Real Deals).(high-rise site sold)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A new high rise in downtown Little Rock is in motion after a $1.3 million land deal (about $54 per SF). Clinton & Sherman Building I LLC purchased the half-acre United Systems of Arkansas Inc. development at 521 President Clinton Ave. The limited liability company ...
HQ relocation. (Real Deals).(Kinco Properties L.L.C. acquires headquarters site)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A construction company is developing a new west Little Rock headquarters after a $785,000 deal. Kinco Properties LLC, led by Doug Wasson, acquired the 13001 Col. Glenn Road project from the James W. Watkins Living Trust. The eight-acre development is financed with a ...
Complex deal. (Real Deals).(apartment complex changes hands)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... An 18-unit apartment project in west Little Rock changed hands in a $500,000 deal (about $27,775 per unit). K-Jack LLC, led by Keith Jackson, bought the Markham Manor Apartments at 8120 W. Markham St. The seller is S&B Corp. LLC, led by Sharon Adkins. The deal is ...
Catering transaction. (Real Deals).(business location sold for $400,000)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A business location in downtown Little Rock drew a $500,000 transaction. Norman Todd Raney purchased the Renaissance Event Planners & Catering location at 400 W. 18th St. from John T. Jones. The deal is backed with a 30-year loan of $400,000 from Bank of Little Rock ...
Alarm property. (Real Deals).(site of alarm company sold)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A Little Rock security company location changed bands in a $310,000 deal. GH Properties LLC, led by Phillip Gillette, Don Henderson and Robert Thornton, acquired the Rollins Protective Service location at 217 N. Chester St. The deal is financed ...
Country Club land. (Real Deals).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A 20-acre tract in North Little Rock sold for $291,000. Country Club Development LLC, led by Jack Wilson, John Wright and Ray Parker, bought the property on Counts Massie Road. The seller is Richmarc Development LLC, led by Keith Richardson and Marc Yelenich.. The ...
Chenal sale. (Real Deals).(Little Rock residence sells for $555,000)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A 4,133-SF home in west Little Rock's Chenal Valley neighborhood is under new ownership after a $555,000 deal. Gilbert and Tracy Clinton bought the house from Douglas and Brooke Malstrom. The deal is backed with a 15-year loan of $527,250 from Mortgage Lenders Network USA Inc ....
Hercules funding. (Real Deals).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A 7.1-acre parcel in Jacksonville was used to help secure a $500 million funding agreement. Hercules Inc. of Wilmington, Del., obtained the financial package from Credit Suisse First Boston of New York. The property is between Rocky Branch on ...
Dorm financing. (Real Deals).(Philander Smith College)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A $7.8 million bond issue is backing a dorm project at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. PSC Student Housing Foundation received the funding through the ...
Southway mortgage. (Real Estate).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... A west Little Rock retail store was used as collateral for a $1.37 million mortgage. Southway Corp., led by Newman McGee, secured the five-year loan from First Community Bank of Jonesboro. It is tied to the near one-acre Cleo's Furniture ...
After the fire.(MDH Builders Inc. to complete new Catfish City)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: AFTER THE FIRE; The new Catfish City at 1817 S. University Ave. in Little Rock should be completed this month. The ...
Refunds, payoff bring state revenue down. (Government).(Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration )(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration said last week that net available general revenue totals $2.325 billion so far this fiscal year. Although that's $52.1 million ahead of last year at this time, it's another $800,000 below the forecast as it was revised ...
SBC chief to speak at LR chamber. (Communications).(SBC Communications Inc. chairman Edward E. Whitacre Jr.)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Edward E. Whitacre Jr., chairman of SBC Communications Inc., will speak April 15 as part of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce's Fortune 500 Lunch Series. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center. Whitacre has ...
Fortune 500's Biggest Companies.(Illustration)
Apr 07, 2003 ... <Pre> Fortune 500's Biggest Companies Based on 2002 revenue in billions 2001 2002 Rank Name HQ Rank Revenue1. Wal-Mart Stores Bentonville, Ark. 1...
Acxiom's Morgan: add to Arkansas' existing strengths. (In Full View).
Apr 07, 2003; ... ACXIOM CORP. COMPANY LEADER Charles Morgan last week said business times were the, toughest he's seen in 30 years and warned of art uncertain future due to a flagging economy and uncertainty over the war in Iraq. During a breakfast speech at the Arkansas Federal Credit Union, ...
ABPG files answer to libel suit. (Media).(Arkansas Business Publishing Group)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Arkansas Business Publishing Group last week filed an answer to a libel suit brought Feb. 25 in Washington County Circuit Court by Melvin Robinson, a trustee for an entity called Genesis Trust. Genesis Trust and a closely affiliated Springdale penny-stock company called Golf ...
Jimmy Carter: support American troops. (Health Care).
Apr 07, 2003; ... Former President Jimmy Carter said during a visit in Little Rock last week that, although he has voiced opposition to the war in Iraq, he will support the United States' troops in battle there and hope for their safe return. "Since troops are engaged in battle, my only comments ...
AERT reports 2002 income up 293 percent. (Public Company Reports).(Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc., the wood composite technology company, said sales for the year ended Dec. 31 were $41.4 million, a 24 percent increase over the $33.4 million posted in 2001. Net income for the year was $915,250, compared with $312,864 for the prior ...
Brass Eagle executives take home bonuses. (Public Company Reports).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... After receiving no bonuses in 2001, executives at Brass Eagle all received bonuses for 2002, according to a proxy the paintball manufacturer filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company said President and CEO E. Lynn Scott took home a salary of $220,500, a ...
Baldor salaries held steady in 2002. (Public Company Reports).(Baldor Electric Co. )
Apr 07, 2003 ... The value of shares in Baldor Electric Co. was virtually unchanged during 2001, and its executives' salaries were similarly frozen in 2002, the company's proxy statement shows. Bonuses paid to the top officers changed very little from 2001. Most of the executives did, however, ...
Murphy dividend. (Public Company Reports).(Murphy Oil Corp.)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Murphy Oil Corp. has declared a quarterly dividend at 20 ...
April 17 deadline for 'under 40' names.
Apr 07, 2003 ... April 17 is the deadline for submitting nominations for Arkansas Business' 10th annual 40 Under 40 list, which profiles 40 intriguing young business and political leaders whose names, faces and histories have or should soon become ...
Gateway closes Fayetteville store. (NW Journal).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... Computer maker Gateway Inc. closed its Fayetteville store on March 23 as part of a restructuring effort that includes shuttering one-third of the company's 244 stores and laying off 1,900 employees, 17 percent of its work force. Twelve people worked at the store in ...
Sunbelt sells out to franchisees. (NW Journal).(Sunbelt Business Brokers)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... Sunbelt Business Brokers, the Charleston, S.C., business brokerage with local offices in Fayetteville, Fort Smith and Little Rock, was recently bought out by its franchisees. The company had been privately owned by its president, Ed Pendarvis, for nearly two decades. ...
New plan for Old P.O. on Fayetteville square. (NW Journal).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003; ... Donna Russell and Bruce Bradshaw have been negotiating with Ron Bumpass to lease the historic Old Post Office building in the middle of the downtown Fayetteville square. "I think they're going to be our tenant," Bumpass said. His mother, Edna Bumpass, owns the 92-year-old ...
The Central Arkansas Development Council. (Business Briefs).(plans to host Community Leadership Summit)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... The Central Arkansas Development Council will host a Community Leadership Summit from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 15 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Registration is $25 ...
International Paper Co. (Business Briefs).(plans to sell forestland )(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... International Paper Co. plans to sell approximately 1.5 million acres of Southern U.S. forestland over the next five years through Southeast Timber Inc., a company controlled by IP, with an interest held by a private investor. As part of this plan, IP transferred these acres to ...
Dillard's Inc. (Business Briefs).(appoints Bob L. Martin to board of directors)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Dillard's Inc. has appointed Bob L. Martin of Rogers to its board of directors. Martin is the former president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s international division, which he led ...
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. (Business Briefs).(USAble Life rating)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has affirmed its 'A' counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on USAble Life of ...
Beaver Water District. (Business Briefs).(water revenue bonds receive high ratings)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... In Benton and Washington counties, Beaver Water District's approximately $65 million water revenue bonds, series 2003, have been assigned a rating of 'A+' by Fitch Ratings. The bonds are scheduled to sell on a negotiated basis the week of April 14 through Morgan Keegan & Co. Dated April 1, ...
The Good Faith Fund. (Business Briefs).(launches web site)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... The Good Faith Fund at Pine Bluff has launched its new Web site, www.goodfaithfund.org. The site includes pages on each of its programs--Industry Partners, Rapid Assets Individual ...
Catholic High School Foundation and the Catholic High Alumni Association. (Business Briefs).
Apr 07, 2003 ... Pat Conroy, bestselling author of "The Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini," will headline a Catholic High School fund-raiser on April 25. The benefit for the Catholic High ...
CenterPoint Energy's Pipeline Services. (Business Briefs).(wins contract from Premcor Inc.)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... CenterPoint Energy's Pipeline Services unit at Little Rock recently signed an agreement to provide technical services for Premcor Inc. (formerly Williams Refining) at Memphis. Pipeline Services ...
Alltel Corp. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Alltel Corp. has completed the sale of the financial services division of Alltel Information Services to Fidelity National Financial Inc. of Irvine, Calif. About 5,500 AIS employees have transitioned to Fidelity National as part ...
Inland Paperboard and Packaging Inc. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Inland Paperboard and Packaging Inc., which has plants in Arkansas, will close corrugated packaging plants at Hattiesburg, Miss., and Elizabethton, Tenn., in the next 60 days to "reduce costs and improve the ...
Luby's Inc. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Luby's Inc. closed its Fort Smith cafeteria last week, part of a plan to close 50 stores in two phases. No announcement has been ...
Southern Barter Exchange brings new life to old system.
Apr 07, 2003; ... IF YOU WHO THINK BARTERING went out when money came into use, think again. It's estimated that nearly half a million U.S. companies participate in barter for a total of more than $16 billion in annual sales. That makes bartering--trading goods and services without ...
Arkansas construction hall of fame.(profiles of three construction industry leaders)
Apr 07, 2003 ... G.W. 'Willard' May Grover Willard May was born on Aug. 22, 1908, in Okolona (Clark County). He was the eldest of three sons born to Grover Cleveland May and his wife, Era Killingsworth May. May started school at Okolona, and in 1922 the family moved to Little Rock ...
Local channels on satellite could be a turn on for viewers. (Telecom Wireless).(DirecTV)
Apr 07, 2003; ... DIRECTV INC.'S REGENT announcement that it will begin carrying local affiliate programming on its digital satellite service in central Arkansas will be a "tremendous shot in the arm for the satellite industry," according to John Healey, owner of Custom Satellite Solutions in Little Rock. ...
PDAs catching on, beginning to replace cell phones. (Telecom Wireless).(personal digital assistants )
Apr 07, 2003; ... JUST AS LAPTOP COMPUTERS became ubiquitous among business professionals in the 1990s, personal digital assistants are catching on. Some firms issue PDAs to their traveling employees, hoping to help them keep informed and increase efficiency, Other employees whose companies don't ...
Arkansas Business List: Largest Telecommunications Cos. (Telecom Wireless).(ranked by 2002 revenues)(Illustration)
Apr 07, 2003 ... <Pre> ARKANSAS BUSINESS LIST: LARGEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS COS. Interexchange carriers, operator services and pay phone operators ranked by 2002 revenue greater than $1 million in ArkansasCompany2002 AR Revenue */ Total company Address ...
Arkansas Business List: Largest Telecommunications Cos. (Telecom Wireless).(ranked by 2002 revenues)(Illustration)
Apr 07, 2003 ... <Pre> ARKANSAS BUSINESS LIST: LARGEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS COS. Local exchange carriers (incumbent and competing) ranked by 2002 revenue greater than $1 million in Arkansas Company 2002 ARTotal SystemAddress ...
State Wireless phone plans vary in coverage. (Telecom Wireless).
Apr 07, 2003; ... WIRELESS TELEPHONE COVerage has picked up across the state as more people decide they need to stay connected. Nationwide, there's some 144 million Americans with cell phones; worldwide, some 1 billion. With all of the increased coverage, however, one has to sort through a lot of ...
Arcom Systems Inc. (New Businesses).(Company Profile)
Apr 07, 2003; ... Owners: Chris Stuart, David Watson Address: 2200 Old Missouri Road, Suite N, Springdale 72264 Phone: (479) 756-8331 Hours: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday Startup: April 1 Web site: www.arcomsys.com Tremendous ...
Davenport Enterprises. (New Businesses).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 07, 2003; ... Owners: Carla and Tom Davenport Address: 19 Ponderosa, Lonoke 72086 Phone: (501) 920-0549 Hours: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Startup: Jan. 1 Carla Davenport told her husband, Tom, a former police officer, that they should turn his ...
Dirt Terminator Co. (New Businesses).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 07, 2003; ... Owner: Allen L. Lee Address: P.O. Box 5612, Pine Bluff 71611 Phone: (870) 536-3665 Hours: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Startup: April 1 Web site: www.dirtterminator.com "A cleaner work environment is a healthy work ...
Calendar.(Calendar)
Apr 07, 2003 ... April * 8 -- Selling to the Government Sponsor: Small Business Development Center Time: 1-4 p.m. Location: Jones Center tot Families, 922 E. Emma Ave., Springdale Fee: $30 For more information, call (479) 575-5148 ...
Engstrom Grayson Green & Patterson. (Accounting).(hires Bryan Redditt, Tammy Veuleman)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Bryan Redditt has joined Engstrom Grayson Green & Patterson in North Little Rock as a ...
Moore Stephens Frost. (Accounting).(hires senior accountant Matthew Muller)(Brief Article)
Apr 07, 2003 ... Matthew Muller has joined Moore Stephens Frost in Little Rock, an affiliate ...