News
October 13, 2023
Talk Business & Politics: New steel line opens at Big River facility in Osceola
The world is changing, US Steel president and CEO Dave Burritt said, and perhaps it is no more evident than in the new line that can produce the thinnest gauges, widest widths and biggest coils in the domestic steel market today.
October 5, 2023
Talk Business & Politics: Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield announces $5.9 million for youth behavioral health
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas is donating more than $5.9 million to five Arkansas organizations to address child and adolescent mental health, suicide and substance abuse issues.
September 5, 2023
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Blytheville exhibition part of greater museum effort underway
BAFB's five galleries are a warm-up act for the planned National Cold War Center. Its indoor-outdoor complex is targeted to open here in 2027 as another potentially major Arkansas visitor attraction.
August 20, 2023
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette High Profile: Republican Ted Mullenix built his career in dark blue Garland County
Whether it was rural labor during his childhood or the challenge of taking office as the first Republican in Garland County since Reconstruction, Ted Mullenix was undaunted by hard work.
July 10, 2023
Arkansas Business: With $3B New Mill, Big River Still Rising
Big River Steel in Osceola is firing up a $450 million electrical steel line early in the third quarter, making thin steel sheets for industrial motors and EV engines. It’s also continuing work on a new $3 billion plant, Big River 2, that owner U.S. Steel describes as one of the most advanced steel mills in the world.
May 15, 2023
Arkansas Business: National Cold War Center Gets $500K Grant From Scenic Byways Program
The National Cold War Center in Blytheville announced it has received a $500,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s National Scenic Byways program, in conjunction with the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
February 14, 2023
Talk Business & Politics: Leaders explain how steel industry is transforming Mississippi County
U.S. Steel has existed for more than 120 years, and one reason is that the company has embraced technological advancement, Big River Steel (BRS) Chief Commercial Officer Dan Brown told members of the Rotary Club of Little Rock.
February 8, 2023
Talk Business & Politics: VR simulation program aids in Arkansas Northeastern College workforce training
Training for some vocations has been a time and opportunity obstacle for many community colleges for years. But a new virtual reality program at Arkansas Northeastern College could render problems like this moot.
December 19, 2022
Arkansas Business' Top 10 Stories of 2022: Magnetic Quality of Steel (#3)
“The steel-fueled economic development party in Mississippi County" continued with the help of a $3-billion project from U.S. Steel and two new plants from Zekelman Industries, landing both our clients on Arkansas Business' list of top stories for 2022.
July 18, 2022
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Pulaski County government's solar power projects on target to provide 90% of its electricity needs
Twin concerns over rising costs and climate change have prompted some county officials in Arkansas to begin moving power needs to renewable energy sources, with solar power one of the primary alternate sources to keep the lights on.
May 29, 2022
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Wood pellets made in state draw queries
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a global impact on business, and changes in the fuels used to generate electricity in Europe brought on by the war might open up opportunities for a wood pellet producer in Pine Bluff.
April 13, 2022
NASA: Artemis Astronauts Will Ride in Style in New Crew Transportation Vehicles
When astronauts leave their crew quarters at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for their lunar mission, NASA’s Artemis II crew will ride in a new set of wheels: A fleet of shiny crew transportation vehicles provided by Canoo Technologies Inc., will take them to Launch Pad 39B for their historic ride aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.
March 4, 2022
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: McDonald's in Arkansas to hire 564 workers
McDonald's restaurants in Arkansas are looking to hire more than 500 employees next week. According to a news release, the fast-food chain plans to hire 564 workers as part of hiring activities across central and south Arkansas.
February 8, 2022
Governor, U.S. Steel executives break ground on $3 billion steel mill in Osceola
U.S. Steel execs and Arkansas officials broke ground on the largest economic development project in Arkansas history, a $3 billion steel mill at Osceola. U.S. Steel President and CEO Dave Burritt said it will be “the most technologically advanced mini-mill on the planet” when completed in 2024.
March 24, 2021
New AEDC initiative partners with colleges to promote desired industry skills
The Arkansas Department of Commerce today launched a new initiative to designate high-achieving state college workforce training programs that meet specific regional workforce needs in high-demand fields as “Centers of Excellence.”
November 18, 2020
Big River Steel Doubles Capacity
Big River Steel successfully started up the second phase of its Arkansas-based scrap metal recycling and flat-rolled steel production facility. The Phase Two expansion budgeted at $716 million will double Big River Steel's production capacity to 3.3 million tons annually.
August 12, 2020
Arkansas Blue Cross Carries on Through Pandemic
For Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which has called Gaines Street its corporate home for more than 60 years, the pandemic has meant business as usual even if virtually all of the company’s employees are working from home these days.