Amazing Ambassador - August 2026
We are honored to recognize Gary Osborne as the August 2026 Amazing Ambassador! He graduated in 2013 from the University of Arkansas. Gary then started his banking career and is the Regional Banking Relationship Manager with The Huntington National Bank. Since becoming a Chamber Ambassador in 2025, he has approached his responsibilities with honesty and a positive attitude. Thank you, Gary, for being an amazing Ambassador. Your passion and dedication to the Chamber and our community are truly
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
How to Recognize Signs of Heat Related Illness
has launched the Lion Family Connection
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has launched the Lion Family Connection, a new online portal for families and supporters of prospective and current students. Powered by CampusESP, the portal brings UAFS updates, deadlines, campus resources, and event information into one easy-to-access space. Families can use it to learn more about the university, follow important steps in the enrollment process, and better understand the resources available to students once they arrive on campus. “Families
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2026 Peace Poster Contest
View Poster RulesMore Event Infomation Here
Acres 4 Hope
Contact Hope Therapy Center to make a donation or sponsor a child.
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
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
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
