Leave the Biting to the Vampires This Fall
September 10, 2026─ Vampires may crave blood, but patients depend on it. This September and October, Our Blood Institute is inviting the community to celebrate spooky season by rolling up a sleeve. Inspired by everyone's favorite creatures of the night, this fall's donor promotion reminds everyone of one simple truth: all we need is blood. Our Blood Institute will hold a blood drive with Walmart Van Buren, on Sunday, September 20, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the bloodmobile. All successful
Arvest Bank Promotes Moore in Van Buren
NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Arvest Bank Promotes Moore in Van BurenVAN BUREN, Ark. (Sept. 10, 2026) – Arvest Bank has promoted Sandy Moore to the position of regional sales manager in Van Buren. Moore has worked at Arvest for 18 years and most recently served as a branch sales manager in Fort Smith. In her new role, Moore will oversee the banking operations of the Rena Road and Cloverleaf branches
Generations Growing Together
GENERATIONS GROWING TOGETHER: METHODIST VILLAGE TO OPEN ARKANSAS’S FIRST INTERGENERATIONAL EARLY LEARNING CENTERInnovative Fort Smith project will bring children and older adults together while creating a new model for senior living, early education, and workforce developmentFORT SMITH, AR (September 1, 2026) What if a senior living community could also become a place where children take their first steps, discover their first books, plant their first gardens and develop some of their first friendships with
Amazing Ambassador - September 2026
We are honored to recognize Jared Barnes as the September 2026 Amazing Ambassador! Jared Barnes is the Founder and CEO of Cyberhelix Technical Solutions, a local, family-owned IT and cybersecurity company serving businesses across Arkansas and Oklahoma. Cyberhelix has earned the company regional recognition, including 2025 Best of the River Valley and Best of Northwest Arkansas honors, and has been quoted by 5NEWS as a local cybersecurity expert. Cyberhelix also supports nonprofits across the area with
First National Bank invests $63,500 in the future of River Valley Children
Closed Loop System
Have you heard about the Closed Loop System? The impact doesn’t stop once the products are refilled! We send our empty Fillaree packaging back to the manufacturer so they can sanitize and reuse the bags again and again!Main Street Mercantile loves being a part of this impact.Shop with us today!Hours of Operation 10:00-6:00, Monday - Saturday. 412 Main Street, Van Buren, AR
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith new academic Certificate of Proficiency in Book Arts
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is expanding its role as a regional destination for art and design with the launch of a new academic Certificate of Proficiency in Book Arts. Beginning in fall 2026, students will be able to earn a nine-hour certificate focused on artist books, letterpress printing, papermaking, bookbinding, and works on paper. The certificate is designed to give students hands-on experience with traditional materials and processes while preparing them to apply those skills in
Arts On Main Adorns Main Street with Art
Arts On Main is preparing for our fourth season of the Art Banner Project, which will feature local artwork displayed on banners in downtown Historic Van Buren, beginning in January 2027 and continuing through Memorial Day. Over 120 artworks created by individuals from ages 4 to 80 have been on display. We invite anyone and all ages to help us adorn Main Street with art!Explore inspiration from our digital exhibition of the art banners on display throughout downtown Van Buren through the fall of 2026.Learn
2026 CED Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards
Each community has businesses and leaders whose impact extends far beyond their bottom line. They create jobs, invest in people, serve their communities, and help shape the future of our region. The UAFS Center for Economic Development and Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center invite you to help recognize those outstanding organizations and individuals by submitting a nomination for the 2026 CED Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards. Now in its third year, this event has become a
Verizon Digital Ready Grant
Since 2021, Verizon has awarded $15 million in grants to small businesses nationwide! To help you level up your small business, they have partnered with LISC, a nonprofit with decades of experience managing grant programs, to award more than 145 grants this year.For more information on how to apply, click on the link below: https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/funding/details
Standing Out Is the Hard Part: Creative Marketing for Van Buren Area Businesses
Seventy-eight percent of small business owners are growing their marketing budgets — yet more than half say standing out in a crowded market is still their biggest challenge. For businesses in Crawford County, that tension is familiar. Whether you're running a shop in downtown Van Buren, a service firm near the Fort Smith corridor, or a restaurant competing for the lunch rush, a bigger budget alone won't cut through the noise. Creativity — applied with structure behind it — is what separates businesses
How Van Buren Small Businesses Can Streamline Daily Work
Small businesses across the Van Buren area often feel the squeeze of limited time, tight margins, and expanding expectations. Improving operational efficiency isn’t just about working faster — it’s about building systems that reduce friction so owners and teams can focus on what truly moves the business forward. Learn below about: Why streamlined workflows matter and how they impact daily operations Practical ways local businesses can cut inefficiencies without major investments How better data
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
