What will be the Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas?
The State Chamber/AIA has once again partnered with Arkansas Business to highlight the top manufacturers in our state and their most interesting products. But we need your help! Head over to www.coolestthinginarkansas.com to nominate your favorite Arkansas-made product and the business behind it. The manufacturer is not required to be headquartered in Arkansas, but the product must be manufactred in an Arkansas-based facility. Voters may nominate one product per day per email address. Nominations
Amazing Ambassador - May 2026
We are honored to recognize Vanessa Caldwell - May 2026 Amazing Ambassador! Vanessa is the Regional Outreach Coordinator for Department of Commerce-- Arkansas Workforce Connections. She has worked there for 13 years, in various roles helping jobseekers, employers, and various agencies in the western region to connect them with training and employment opportunities. She performs outreach to provide awareness about the partners located in the Fort Smith Workforce Center, sharing programs and services
SBA Offers Relief to Arkansas Small Business and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
NEWS RELEASE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY & RESILIENCE Release Date: May 1, 2026 Media Contact: Corey.Williams@sba.gov Release Number: AR-20040-01 Follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram SBA Offers Relief to Arkansas Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by DroughtLow-interest disaster loans now available WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans
Vacation Bible School Registration Open!
Click Here to Register!
75Strong River Valley Cohort Helping Lead Local Businesses Through 75Strong Business Building Progra
75Strong River Valley Cohort Helping Lead Local Businesses Through 75Strong Business Building ProgramVan Buren, AR — April 29, 2026 — As small businesses continue to serve as the backbone of Arkansas’s economy, the 75Strong River Valley CohortTeam is helping ensure companies in the River Valley area have access to the tools, strategy, and support needed to grow stronger. The 75Strong River Valley Cohort includes Tracy Burba, Commissioner on the Van Buren Municipal Utilities Board; Sasha Grist, Executive
SBA Offers Relief to Oklahoma Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY & RESILIENCE Release Date: April 22, 2026 Media Contact:Corey.Williams@sba.govRelease Number: OK-20034-01 Follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram SBA Offers Relief to Oklahoma Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought Low interest disaster loans now availableWASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit
Nutrition Counseling Private Practice is Accepting New Clients
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
UAMS, UAFS Forge Agreement to Expand Health Care Education Pathways
UAMS, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Forge Agreement to Expand Health Care Education Pathways LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (UAFS) have entered into a formal Memorandum of Agreement designed to create clear, accelerated pathways for UAFS graduates pursuing careers in health care. The agreement covers 14 UAMS programs across four colleges and offers qualifying UAFS students guaranteed interviews, priority application
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
.png)
12th Annual Run for a Veteran 5K
We are excited to announce our 11th Annual Run for a Veteran 5K Run/1M Fun Walk, taking place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Lee Creek Park boat ramp in Van Buren. This year is particularly special as we are still celebrating our 100th Anniversary—A Century of Service! As the oldest VFW Post in Arkansas, we take immense pride in our legacy and look forward to another 100 years of serving those who served our nation. How You Can Make a Difference - Sponsorship Opportunities As a non-profit, your
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
Applications are Now Open for Leadership Crawford County
Are you ready to grow as a leader and make a real impact in your community? Leadership Crawford County is your opportunity to develop leadership skills, connect with community leaders, and help shape the future of our region. Crawford County’s future depends on strong, engaged leaders—and that future could include you. Leadership Crawford County is designed to equip emerging leaders with the knowledge, relationships, and confidence needed to serve our community effectively. Through hands-on experiences,
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
