Community School of the Arts Announces its Spring 2027 Season
Community School of the Arts has announced its spring 2027 performance season! Ten public events run February through May, including Sweeney Todd (School Edition) March 12-13, Jazz Through the Ages Concert April 8, A Fire Inside Dance Production April 16-17, The Little Mermaid KIDS Musical April 23-24, and The Lion King Jr. Musical May 14-15, with performances at Goddard United Methodist Church and on the ACCA campus. The season closes with Sights & Sounds of Summer, a free arts festival on the ACCA
Amazing Ambassador - October 2026
We are honored to recognize Kim Brown as the October 2026 Amazing Ambassador!Kim started her banking career over 15 years ago and currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Retail Support & Training with Citizens Bank & Trust Company.Kim is an active Chamber Ambassador and loves volunteering in the community. When asked about her current position she said, “I am grateful to work for a community- focused bank that cares so much about the success of our customers; a bank that allows me to give back to
CSA announces that its high school, ICA, receives awards from OEP
Community School of the Arts is proud to share that the Institute for the Creative Arts, the tuition-free public charter arts high school CSA sponsors, has been recognized by the University of Arkansas's Office for Education Policy for high student growth on the ATLAS.Five awards in all: High Overall Growth and High ELA Growth statewide, and High Overall, High Math, and High ELA Growth for the Northwest region.1101 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith, AR 72901 | (479) 434-2114 | www.icafortsmith.org
SBA Disaster Assistance Available
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans for eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Arkansas impacted by drought occurring Aug. 25 and continuing. Eligible Counties Arkansas: Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Scott, Sebastian, and Washington Oklahoma: Adair, Le Flore, and Sequoyah Who Can Apply • Small businesses • Private nonprofits & faith-based organizations • Small agricultural cooperatives &
Community School of the Arts Announces That Its Sponsored Charter School, the Institute for the Creative Arts, Has Been Named One of Arkansas's First-Ever Arkansas Gem Schools with an A Grade
Community School of the Arts is proud to announce that the Institute for the Creative Arts High School, the tuition-free public charter high school CSA sponsors, has been recognized as an Arkansas Gem School for the 2025-2026 school year. The honor is awarded by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) to schools demonstrating exceptional achievement, strong academic growth, and sustained improvement for students. Through the "Arkansas Gem School" program, Arkansas is awarding $7 million in
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
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
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
