Mike Preston

Economic development has been defined as the creation of wealth from which community benefits are realized. Such benefits came fewer and further between in the pandemic year of 2020, but local and state officials worked hard to make sure Arkansas…

Mike Preston was appointed executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in March 2015, and named Secretary of Commerce July 2019. Preston is highly regarded as a leading advocate in economic development. He has…

Butterball is making a major investment into two Northwest Arkansas processing facilities that is expected to create 360 new jobs in the next three years. The North Carolina-based turkey products company is investing a total of $8.7 million to expand…

A recent executive order signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson is expected to provide relief for business owners by excluding unemployment claims for the second quarter of 2020 in the calculation of UI tax rates. According to Executive Order 20-54, signed…

Carvana has unveiled its new vehicle inspection and distribution center in West Memphis. On Tuesday, Jan. 5, Carvana representatives, along with state and local officials, cut the ribbon on the new facility. The Arizona-based online car buying and financing platform…

Nestle will be expanding its Jonesboro facility, investing more than $100 million to increase its production lines. The new expansion is expected to add 90,000 square feet to the Northeast Arkansas facility. Nestle plans to hire roughly 100 new employees…

America’s steel industry has long been associated with the mills that dominate Pennsylvania and the Rust Belt. Yet Mississippi County also has a surprisingly robust presence in its manufacturing, employing nearly 5,500 Arkansans — a 39 percent increase since 2009.…

Boutique owner Kendall Sandifer began the year preparing for business as usual. Her shop, Fringe Clothing, sits in the heart of the River Market District of downtown Little Rock and attracts wandering tourists and dedicated shoppers alike. Sandifer opened the…

Nice-Pak is expanding its Jonesboro plant with plans to increase its production capacity and employment over the next year. On Monday, Nov. 16, the wet-wipe manufacturing company revealed that it will be launching a phased expansion, beginning in 2021. This…

Military members and their families will now have a new employment resource in Arkansas as part of the state’s “Place to Call Home” initiative. Arkansas officials unveiled HomeBaseArkansas.com on Nov. 11, 2020 – Veteran’s Day – which is designed to…