Viki Kilgore named Chairperson ''For the Love of Books 2026 Edition''
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2026 Viki Kilgore Named Chairperson “For the Love of Books 2026 Edition” VAN BUREN, Ark.— Viki Kilgore of Van Buren, Arkansas is once again chairing the Crawford County Library Foundation’s fundraiser “For the Love of Books 2026 Edition” to be held on February 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m. at the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith. Viki also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors. Viki stated, “it is my honor to chair this worthy event
Grant Program: 2026 AARP Community Challenge is now open!
The 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program is now open and accepting applications! We invite your organization to apply online anytime between now and March 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT. This year, the AARP Community Challenge is excited to offer three grant opportunities:Flagship GrantsCapacity-Building MicrograntsDemonstration Grants All applications must be submitted through AARP.org/CommunityChallenge, and funded projects must be completed by December 15, 2026. To help answer applicant
Amazing Ambassador - January 2026
We are excited to recognize Heather Patton as our January 2026 Amazing Ambassador! Heather is a Senior Lead Agent for Direct Auto Insurance, and a life-long resident of Crawford County. Heather loves being involved in her community and building relationships. She is excited about the future of the River Valley. Thank you, Heather, for being an Amazing Ambassador – we appreciate your passion and dedication in the Chamber and for our community.
Small Business Season: After the Busy Season, a Calm Reset
Small Business Season is almost in the rearview mirror. The shopping rush may be fading, the wrapping paper is in the trash, and your brain is trying to do two things at once: recover and prepare.So let’s make this simple. Here are end-of-year moves that help most without turning the last week of December into a stress fest.1. Capture the “Truth” While It’s Still FreshBefore January turns this year into something for the history books, spend 30 minutes answering three questions:What worked this year that
The Dapper Distinction Award
Deadline to apply is March 31, 2026. Applications can be found here.
Event Expo and Bridal Showcase
This is your opportunity to showcase your business to a wide audience of event planners and decisionmakers! We're expecting hundreds of attendees, including event and wedding planners, engaged coupled, fundraisers/gala committees and party organizers. Reserve your booth now and be a part of this inaugural event! Register online at https://www.acheeventcenter.com/expo.
Lights, Camera, Traction: A Modern Playbook for Small Business Video Marketing
The average consumer scrolls faster than ever, barely flinching before passing over posts, images, and even text-heavy ads. In that restless digital current, video stands still—commanding attention, telling stories, and moving people to act. For small business owners navigating the noisy world of modern marketing, video isn’t just a tool—it’s a necessity that bridges the gap between visibility and engagement. When done right, it doesn’t just showcase a product; it builds trust, cultivates loyalty, and
Stretching Every Dollar: Smart Moves for High-Impact, Low-Cost Marketing
Building a strong marketing plan doesn't have to mean bleeding your budget dry. In fact, some of the sharpest strategies out there come from businesses that had to get scrappy from the start. When money’s tight, creativity becomes the best currency, and every campaign decision starts carrying more weight. The goal isn’t to cut corners—it’s to work smarter with what’s already within reach, and sometimes that means embracing the constraints. Lean Into What’s Already Working Before diving into anything
How Business Owners Can Bring in the Right Professionals to Fuel Sales and Marketing Growth
You don’t need a lecture about wearing too many hats. If you’re a business owner, you already know that every day feels like a collision between spreadsheets, Slack notifications, client demands, and the constant whisper of sales goals you haven't hit yet. Somewhere in there, someone told you to "scale," whatever that means this week. But whether you’re running a scrappy startup or steering a mid-sized firm with too many moving parts, the truth is the same—eventually, you’ll need help. And not just any
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Van Buren, AR Businesses?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. As of today, 12/05/2024, Van Buren, AR business owners have 26 calendar days(or 19 business days) left to file their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN. 1. Determine if Your Business Must File. A “reporting company” is any small business, corporation, or LLC that is registered with the state, unless exempt. Exemptions apply to
Transform Your Marketing Game: The Essential AI Tools You Need
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, staying ahead in marketing requires more than creativity and hard work; it demands intelligence—artificial intelligence, to be precise. Utilizing AI for marketing promises not just enhanced efficiency but also unprecedented levels of personalization and effectiveness, setting you leaps and bounds ahead of your competition. From predictive analytics and customer segmentation to real-time trend analysis and content optimization, AI has become the cornerstone of
