Amazing Ambassador - July 2026
We are honored to recognize Sherry Marshall as July 2026 Amazing Ambassador!Sherry has been the Administrator for Ms. Arkansas Senior America Pageant, Inc. since 2023 and was Ms. Arkansas Senior America 2017. Sherry is dedicated to encouraging women to shine with their complete beauty and talent.Sherry has been a Chamber Ambassador since 2023, and is active in her community and state.Thank you Sherry for being an Amazing Ambassador and for your passion and dedication in the Chamber and our community.
Applications Now Open for Business Accelerator Program
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for AEDC’s FY27 Accelerator Program. The Arkansas Business and Technology Accelerator Grant Program, provided for by Act 165 of 2017, was created to stimulate innovation and growth among the state’s technology businesses. The program may provide discretionary grants of up to two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to eligible applicants to sponsor business and technology programs to mentor start-up companies and foster economic growth.About
ARDOT Statewide Transportation Improvement Program for Public Comment
From First Date to Bookstore Owners: Hart Family Takes Ownership of Chapters on Main
From First Date to Bookstore Owners: Hart Family Takes Ownership of Chapters on Main Grand Reopening Celebration Planned for July 4 as Beloved Bookstore Enters Its Next Era FORT SMITH, Ark. — A beloved River Valley bookstore is turning the page to an exciting new chapter. On June 28, longtime owner Alison Goodwin will officially pass ownership of Chapters on Main to Beth and Josh Hart, a local couple whose own story is deeply connected to the bookstore's legacy. For Beth Hart, Chapters on Main has
Attorney General Griffin Announces Fraud and Consumer Protection Summit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18, 2026 CONTACT: Jeff LeMaster (501) 366-8008 jeff.lemaster@arkansasag.gov Attorney General Griffin Announces Fraud and Consumer Protection Summit September 28-29 in Little Rock Griffin: ‘Everyone is impacted by fraud in one way or another, so this summit truly has something for everyone’ LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing his annual summit for 2026: “Building on the success of our past three annual summits, I
Help Get Our Community Moving: Crawford County Community Rides
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
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
