Hugh McDonald

An industrial resurgence in Arkansas is dangerously close to losing momentum thanks to a shortage of qualified engineers, but efforts to promote engineering education may lead to billions of dollars in state income. The University of Arkansas College of Engineering …

A burgeoning energy sector in Arkansas is positioned to provide long-term economic development for the state. Arkansas Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald returned in late July from the prestigious Fastmarkets Global Lithium, Battery & Critical Minerals Conference, where he explored possible …

Five Rivers Manufacturing officially opened its new headquarters in Corning Wednesday. For 92 years, Five Rivers has been the maker of G&H Decoys, part of its umbrella of outdoor companies. G&H will now be manufactured in Corning alongside Five Rivers’ …

Arkansas was ranked among the top states for overall economic outlook for the second consecutive year in a recent study. The American Legislative Exchange Council ranked Arkansas as the No. 6 state for best economic outlook on the 2026 Rich …

Arkansas Northeastern College hosted the consul-general of Japan in Nashville, Shinji Watanabe, for the U.S.–Japan Steel Partnership Dinner on Feb. 5. In addition to Watanabe, the dinner at ANC’s Lawrence Family Campus included local, state and international leaders, including representatives …

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission recently announced Hope as the latest city to complete the state’s Competitive Communities Initiative process. State officials, including Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald and AEDC Executive Director Clint O’Neal, joined the community to celebrate the …

Photos by Sarah DeClerk. Feature image above: Ernest Scheyder, left, senior correspondent at Reuters, moderates a panel discussion with Emma Bishop, vice president of the Battery Materials & Technology Coalition, from left, David Kovatch, president at Mission Strategies, Matthew Godlewski, …

Little Rock hosted the second annual Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit at the Statehouse Convention Center Oct. 28 and 29. The summit brought together industry leaders, state and local government and representatives from the education sector to provide actionable insights about …

The 2025 Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit, set for Oct. 28-29 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, will bring industry leaders, policymakers, statewide stakeholders and investors focused on the global lithium economy and highlight Arkansas’ role in the growing …

Thirty-nine members of Lexicon’s workforce were honored with industrial certifications Thursday as part of the construction and steel company’s ongoing “Lexicon University” initiative. “If someone has a job, especially a skilled job, they can have a career,” Little Rock Mayor …