Arkansas Business back issues from April 2009:
Issues arise over funding trauma plan: health care groups express concerns.(Trends in Medicine)
Apr 06, 2009; ... ALTHOUGH THE ARKANSAS trauma system is still about two years away from being fully established, some health care groups are already questioning whether the approximately $25 million in annual state funding will be sufficient. The Arkansas Ambulance Association said last week ...
Recycling sector's prices plunge.(Trends in Medicine)
Apr 06, 2009; ... FAMED INVESTOR WARREN BUFFETT recently said the economy has fallen off a cliff." Plot the prices for recycled materials during the last few years on a line graph, and that's what you'll see: a cliff. Recycling centers in Arkansas could expect to earn about $130 per ton of ...
State pioneers umbilical cord blood system.(Trends in Medicine)
Apr 06, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE BLOOD THAT FLOWS through Amelia Odle's tiny veins is not hers. In fact, her parents don't know whose blood it is. But what they do know is that it came from the umbilical cord of a mother and child they will never know and it saved their daughter's ...
Bank transaction.(Whispers)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Heard about an ownership change at Batesville's First Southern Bank? We understand a group of Batesville-area investors, including some current stockholders, are in the process of acquiring the $103 million-asset bank. First Southern, which also operates a branch in ...
Hard times at Heifer.(Whispers)
Apr 06, 2009 ... You're no doubt aware by now of Heifer International's plans to cut jobs by June 30, the end of its fiscal year. The question is: How many? According to a source at the nonprofit, the percentage of staff members in danger of losing their jobs may be in the double digits, even ...
Charter project.(eStem Charter School campus)(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Talk of expanding the eStem Charter School campus in downtown Little Rock has manifested into a $1.35 million transaction. A subsidiary of Arkadelphia's Southern Bancorp has acquired the old Federal Reserve property at 123 W. Third St. and will lease it to eStem, which operates ...
Crain troubles.(Whispers)
Apr 06, 2009 ... The Crain Team is trying to recover more than $135,000 from a former manager who, the auto dealership said, was receiving kickbacks from an auto dealer. Crain Chevrolet LLC, which operates Crain Chevrolet, Crain Ford and Crain Chrysler Dodge Jeep, all in Little Rock, filed a ...
Sufficiently grounded.(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Local restaurateur Scott McGehee had another venture in the works that has now been scuttled. The mastermind behind Boulevard Bread Co. and ZaZa Fine Salad & Wood-Oven Pizza Co. had plans to rehabilitate the old Sufficient Grounds-turned-Laughing Moon building in Hillcrest. ...
Getting off the ground.(Sufficient Grounds)(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009 ... We haven't nailed down the identity of the buyer of the former Sufficient Grounds, but a trio of 20-something Hendrix College graduates plans to open an eatery/coffeehouse/pub at the location in early June. Josh Blevins, Nick Coffin and Nathan Miller, all of Little Rock, inked a ...
Casting the first Stone.(Whispers)
Apr 06, 2009 ... There was a little intrigue surrounding Monday's Arkansas Economic Development Commission review process for a new advertising agency. "Whispers" learned late in the process that the James & House law firm of Little Rock had submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for ...
Obama overreaching?(Editorial)
Apr 06, 2009 ... WE'VE ALL KNOWN THAT the bailouts by the federal government would come with a high cost. And that they couldn't continue forever. General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC have learned those lessons the hard way. Now, the bankruptcy the automakers didn't want to face several months ...
[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
Apr 06, 2009; ... AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER ...
'Just not right'.(Letter)(Letter to the editor)
Apr 06, 2009; ... I'm a big fan of Arkansas Business and find it a great tool in my job of banking. However, reading the winner of the Business Communications Inc. and Cisco contest listed on Page 12 of your March 30 issue, I could not help but wish someone had put just a bit more thought into naming the ...
The most cynical game.(Editor's Note)
Apr 06, 2009; ... THIS IS MY 10TH YEAR AS editor of Arkansas Business, which is apparently long enough to see history repeat itself. Back in 2000, we did some award-winning articles on the checkered history of a company called Arkansas Casino Corp. Despite its name, Arkansas Casino Corp. was a ...
Apocalypse now?(Commentary)
Apr 06, 2009; ... THROUGHOUT RECORDED HISTORY there have always been miserable, unhappy people eagerly telling us that the world is coming to an end. When times are good, when our bills are paid and we have money in our pocket, most of us brush past the zealot on the street wailing, "Repent! The end is at ...
New fire and police stations at 2000 and 2002 Murphy Drive in Maumelle have a combined 27,000 SF under roof.(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New tire and police stations at 2000 and 2002 Murphy Drive in Maumelle have a combined 27,000 SF under roof. The $4.5 million development ...
Southern Bancorp buy.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
Apr 06, 2009; ... The one-time home of the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank tipped the scales at $1.35 million. Southern Bancorp CDC of Arkadelphia bought the 123 W. Third St. project. The seller is 123 West Third Associates Ltd., led by Kenneth McRae. The 0.3-acre ...
Old buildings sale.(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009; ... A commercial property in southwest Little Rock changed hands in a $650,000 transaction. A Camp Equipment LLC, led by Andrew Judkins, purchased the 7720 Interstate 30 project. The seller is Old Buildings LLC, led by Ted Belden. The deal is financed with a one-year ...
Church purchase.(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009; ... A North Little Rock congregation expanded its holdings in a $200,000 deal. First Assembly of God acquired the 1-acre site at the northwest end of Parkstone Circle from Blansett Properties LLC, led by Larry Blansett. The commercial property previously was used to help ...
Deauville home.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
Apr 06, 2009; ... A 4,160-SF home in west Little Rock's Deauville Place neighborhood of west Little Rock's Chenal Valley development sold for $916,000. Deborah Wetzel bought the house from Kevin and Jennifer Hannah. The deal is funded with a 30-year loan of $417,000 from Fairway Independent ...
Heights house.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009; ... A 3,943-SF home in the Heights area of Little Rock is under new ownership after a $705,000 sale. Matthew and Jennifer Deuschle purchased the house from Card Investments LLC, led by Clint Wilson, Andrew Adkins, Richard Harp and Daniels Bynum. The deal is backed with a ...
Sologne abode.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
Apr 06, 2009; ... A 5,075-SF home in the Sologne Circle neighborhood of west Little Rock's Chenal Valley development drew a $600,000 transaction. Tracy and Jane Duke acquired the house from Lauren and Michael Snow. The deal is financed with a 30-year loan of $417,000 from Bank of England. The ...
PV residence.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009; ... A 3,724-SF home in west Little Rock's Pleasant Valley neighborhood rang up a $550,000 deal. Ryan and Marie Holder bought the house from Tracy and Jane Duke. The deal is funded with a 30-year loan of $417,000 from Bank of Little Rock Mortgage Corp. The residence ...
Hotel mortgage.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
Apr 06, 2009; ... A Value Place Hotel in west Little Rock is backed with a $5 million mortgage. VP Partners 2 LLC, led by Chris Witt, obtained the four-year loan from BancorpSouth Bank of Tupelo, Miss. The 121-room project at 21 Remington Road previously was linked with a November ...
Retail refinance.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009; ... The owners of a 34,400-SF retail center in Maumelle picked up a $3.27 million funding agreement. McCarley Family Ltd. (50 percent), the B.B. McCarley Residuary Trust (45.7 percent) and Mildred McCarley (4.3 percent) received the five-year loan from First Security Bank of Searcy ....
Office funding.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
Apr 06, 2009; ... A 5,700-SF office project in west Little Rock was refinanced with a $1.16 million mortgage. Lucky Inc., led by Allen Kerr, got the five-year loan from Bank of Little Rock. The 0.7-acre Kerr Insurance development at 1429 Merrill Drive ...
Casino company wins approval of ballot title.(POLITICS)
Apr 06, 2009; ... An amendment whose ballot title was approved by the state Attorney General's office would write a for-profit casino company into the Arkansas Constitution. The amendment would authorize seven casinos to be owned and operated by a company called Arkansas Hotels & Entertainment ...
Tyson Foods to close meat plant in Oklahoma.(AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS)
Apr 06, 2009; ... Tyson Foods Inc. will close its processed meats plant at Ponca City, Okla., affecting about 580 workers. Tyson officials are trying to find a buyer for the plant, which has been in operation since 1995. The closing is expected to result in a noncash charge to Tyson's ...
Clothing manufacturer to open Booneville plant.(MANUFACTURING)
Apr 06, 2009; ... American Spirit Wear will locate a new production and manufacturing facility at Booneville. The Booneville operation will be known as Perry Productions and employ about 30 people. ASW is a wholesale supplier of jackets for sports, hunting and corporate and outerwear, as well as ...
Georgia firm buying Sparks Health System.(HEALTH CARE)
Apr 06, 2009; ... Sparks Health System of Fort Smith is being sold to a division of Jackson Healthcare LLC of Alpharetta, Ga. Terms of the sale weren't released. Sparks said in its news release that it hopes to have a letter of intent signed by May 15 and close the deal no later than June 30. ...
Community Health buys rest of El Dorado hospital.(HEALTH CARE)
Apr 06, 2009; ... Community Health Systems Inc. of Franklin, Tenn., said its subsidiary has acquired the remaining interest in MCSA LLC, which owns and operates the 166-bed Medical Center of South Arkansas at El Dorado. The Medical Center of South Arkansas is now wholly owned by Community ...
Bank of America closing four Arkansas branches.(BANKING & FINANCE)
Apr 06, 2009; ... Bank of America has notified customers that four of its 50 branches in Arkansas will be closed in the near future, said state president E. Wilson Moore. The branches to be closed are the Levy branch in North Little Rock, the branch at 1216 Highway 62 E. in northeast Mountain ...
AERT reports loss of $36 million in 2008.(Public Company Reports)(Financial report)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc. of Springdale, in its annual report filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, reported a net loss of $35.9 million, or 75 cents a share, last year compared with a loss of $9.5 million, or 20 cents a share, for 2007. ...
Former Murphy Oil CEO takes slight dip in pay.(Public Company Reports)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Three of Murphy Oil Corp.'s top executives took home more pay last year, but Claiberne P. Deming, the former president and CEO, saw a slight decline in his compensation, according to the company's proxy filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Deming, who stepped down ...
First Federal executives get no raises in pay.(Public Company Reports)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Executives of First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc. of Harrison received no raises in salary or bonuses last year and won't get one this year either. Larry J. Brandt, president and CEO of the holding company for First Federal Bank, is even voluntarily taking a 10 percent ...
Baldor Electric, lenders amend credit agreement.(Public Company Reports)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Baldor Electric Co. has amended its credit agreement with its lenders, which relaxes requirements for total leverage and senior secured leverage ratios. Pricing on the term loan increased to the London Interbank Offered ...
DAC Technologies income increases slightly in 2008.(Public Company Reports)(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009 ... DAC Technologies Group International Inc., the Florida outsource manufacturer whose main distribution center is in Little Rock, reported 2008 net income of $356,694, compared with $340,894 the previous year. Sales of $17 million were up 13 over ...
Murphy Oil Corp.(Public Company Reports)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Murphy Oil Corp. declared a quarterly dividend of 25 cents a share, the ...
Terminella's motion for new trial denied.(LEGAL)
Apr 06, 2009; ... Washington County Circuit Judge Rim Smith last week denied Tom Terminella's motion for a new trial in a bitter dispute won by Metropolitan National Bank of Little Rock. Terminella had requested a new trial on March 13 after Smith found in favor of Metropolitan in February for ...
3 Arkansas cities listed among best for business.(AWARDS)
Apr 06, 2009; ... Three Arkansas cities are among the top 75 metropolitan areas for business as recognized by Forbes magazine, including Fayetteville at No. ...
February Arkansas Realtors Association housing market report.(Inside Business)
Apr 06, 2009 ... <Pre> February Arkansas Realtors Association Housing Market Report Most Units Sold in February CountyFeb. '09 Feb. '08 % Change 1 Pulaski 263343-23.32% 2 Benton 195208 ...
KMCK climbs to No. 3 spot in Arbitron radio rankings.(NW Journal: A Look at News From Northwest Arkansas)
Apr 06, 2009; ... Clear Channel Communication's KKIX-FM, 103.9, "Kix 104," has been the top-rated radio station in northwest Arkansas for 23-plus years, and its stature did not change with the fall 2008 ratings released by Arbitron Inc. But the battle for the No. 2 and 3 spots can be downright ...
Thousand Hills pays Schwyhart $3.2m for 2 buildings in Rogers.(NW Journal: A Look at News From Northwest Arkansas)(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009; ... Thousand Hills Legacy Land LLC recently purchased two buildings in Rogers for $3.2 million. The buildings, on South Eighth Street, include a 1,296-SF automobile showroom and a 1,440-SF service repair garage. The buildings, which sit on 1.16 acres, were purchased ...
Number of Realtors in area declines 23.5% since 2007.(NW Journal: A Look at News From Northwest Arkansas)
Apr 06, 2009 ... The total statewide number of Realtors registered with the Arkansas Realtors Association was at a peak at the end of February 2007, with 8,513 dues-paying members. That number was down to 7,607, a drop of 8.5 percent, as of Feb. 28, 2009. The number in northwest Arkansas has ...
Jonesboro Police seek beverage tax increase.(NE Journal: A Look at News From Northeast Arkansas)
Apr 06, 2009; ... The Jonesboro Police Department is lobbying the city for an increase in the alcoholic beverage tax from 3 percent to 5 percent. Jonesboro Police Chief Michael Wages said the tax increase would bring additional revenue to the city so the police department "can continue to provide ...
Mississippi County hires new hospital management.(NE Journal: A Look at News From Northeast Arkansas)
Apr 06, 2009; ... Mississippi County recently hired QHR Inc. of Brentwood, Tenn., to manage the county's two hospitals. Great River Medical Center of Blytheville and South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center of Osceola had been managed by Ameris Health Systems of Nashville, Tenn. ...
Evergreen Packaging Inc., citing reduced demand, has shut down its No. 1 paper machine and its ground-wood mill at Pine Bluff, resulting in a two-week layoff of about 80 employees.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Evergreen Packaging Inc., citing reduced demand, has shut down its No. 1 paper machine and its ground-wood mill at Pine Bluff, resulting in a two-week layoff of about 80 employees. The ...
Oklahoma Lottery.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... The Oklahoma Lottery is expected to lose as much as $12 million in sales during the first year Arkansas has its games. That estimate is based on prizes claimed by Arkansas ...
Resource Management of Arkansas.(Business Briefs)(Brief article)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Resource Management of Arkansas, a Pine Bluff maker of flavor-woods for cooking barbecue, wood pellets for stoves and litter products for animals, is expanding in a move that is expected to add ...
Former President George H.W. Bush will deliver a free lecture at Barnhill Arena at the University of Arkansas at 8 p.m. on April 6 as part of the university's Distinguished Lecture Series.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Former President George H.W. Bush will deliver a free lecture at Barnhill Arena at the University of Arkansas at 8 p.m. on April 6 as part of the university's ...
Internal Revenue Service.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... The Internal Revenue Service says people who buy a new passenger car this year may be able to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes on the purchase on their 2009 tax returns next year. The deduction is limited to the state and local sales and excise taxes paid on up to $49,500 of ...
T. Boone Pickens, oilman, billionaire, philanthropist, financier and outspoken advocate for energy independence, will hold a "town hall" meeting in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development auditorium at the University of Arkansas from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. on April 6.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... T. Boone Pickens, oilman, billionaire, philanthropist, financier and outspoken advocate for energy independence, will hold a "town hall" meeting in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for ...
William Poole, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will talk about the current economic crisis and take questions at an April 16 luncheon at Hendrix College in Conway.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... William Poole, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will talk about the current economic crisis and take questions at an April 16 ...
Bank of the Ozarks has been named the 12th-best performing bank in the country by Bank Director magazine in its 2008 Bank Performance Scorecard Highlighting America's Best Banks, which is based on profitability, capital adequacy and asset quality.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Bank of the Ozarks has been named the 12th-best performing bank in the country by Bank Director magazine in its 2008 Bank Performance Scorecard Highlighting America's Best ...
Wired, a Little Rock IT company, will hold a grand reopening of its expanded retail location in the Bowman Curve Shopping Center that has triple the showroom space of its old location.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Wired, a Little Rock IT company, will hold a grand reopening of its expanded retail location in the Bowman Curve Shopping Center that has triple the showroom space of its old location. Wired has ...
Arkansas State University at Searcy will conduct OSHA safety training on April 25 beginning at 7 a.m.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Arkansas State University at Searcy will conduct OSHA safety training on April 25 beginning at 7 a.m. The course is designed specifically for those desiring to work for the gas drilling ...
Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Spirit of Enterprise Award for his strong support of a pro-economic growth legislative agenda.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Spirit of Enterprise Award for his strong support of a pro-economic growth legislative agenda. The award is given to ...
Case Management Society of America.(Business Briefs)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Case Management Society of America, a Little Rock nonprofit, is hosting a forum on health care case management, including payor/insurers ...
Tax cuts, concealed-carry and casinos on minds of state lawmakers.(Legislative Roundup)
Apr 06, 2009; ... TAX CUTS WERE ON THE minds of state lawmakers last week, despite less-than-optimistic revenue forecasts for 2010. Gov. Mike Beebe signed into law a $10 million tax cut for manufacturers; a House bill to ease corporate tax burdens to the tune of $7.6 million advanced; another ...
Exercise program does far more than enhance students' health.(Trends in Medicine)
Apr 06, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HELPING STUDENTS BECOME healthier is one reason for implementing a more rigorous physical education component in schools, but there are others. "We've definitely noticed a difference in discipline referrals and attendance rates" since ...
Lincoln to host tour on rural health care.(Notes)
Apr 06, 2009 ... Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., will host a two-week, five-stop tour across Arkansas to "take the pulse" of health care in the state's rural communities. As part of her "Call to Action: Taking the Pulse of Rural Health Care," Lincoln will meet with Arkansans to discuss the ...
National Running Day to be marked on June 3.(Notes)
Apr 06, 2009 ... The United States running industry is launching National Running Day on June 3 to nationally and locally promote running as a healthy, easy and accessible form of exercise. Runners can join in the National Running Day by going for a run on June 3, then logging on to the ...
Legislature passes bills backed by nursing home interests.(Overview)
Apr 06, 2009; ... The nursing home industry has had some success during the current legislative session, according to Randy Wyatt, executive director of the Arkansas Health Care Association. The biggest victory was Act 198, the Long-Term Care Quality Improvement Act, introduced by Rep. George Overbey, ...
Most profitable nursing homes.(Trends in Medicine)
Apr 06, 2009 ... <Pre> Most Profitable Nursing Homes Ranked by net income for year ended June 30, 2008 Facility, Location Net Income Revenue 1 Golden Living Center-Hilltop, $2,733,540 $7,734,062 Harrison 2 Golden Living Center-Hot Springs ...
Least profitable nursing homes.(Trends in Medicine)
Apr 06, 2009; ... <Pre> Least Profitable Nursing Homes Ranked by net income or loss for year ended June 30, 2008 Facility, Location Net Income Revenue 1 Concordia Care Center, Bella Vista ($1,004,515) $4,952,773 2 Auburn Hills Health & ...