News
Our clients are doing big things ...
May 18, 2020
Alex Ray Recognized by Walton School of Business for Work on Energy Efficiency Project
Alex Ray, current Executive MBA student and director of business development, Arkansas and performance infrastructure at Johnson Controls, played an integral role in the development of an $8 million energy efficiency project in WashingtonCounty.
With the largest rooftop solar array in Arkansas, the project will bring an estimated 19% reduction in electric use, 15% reduction in water use and 8% reduction in gas use. The project will reduce C02 emissions by an amount equivalent to planting more than 40,000 new trees. Great work, Alex!
May 2, 2020
A Big River Steel Update From CEO Dave Stickler
​
Osceola, AR (Saturday, May 2, 2020) – Big River Steel CEO Dave Stickler gives a BIG thanks to all Big River Steel employees and talks about future plans.
​
​
​
APRIL 26, 2020
OAKLAWN SPLITS ARKANSAS DERBY; BOTH RACES TO CARRY FULL POINTS
​
HOT SPRINGS, AR (Sunday, April 26, 2020) – In a move believed to be unprecedented in American racing history, Oaklawn will split the 84th running of the Arkansas Derby Saturday, May 2. Thanks to the cooperation of Churchill Downs, both divisions will carry the full 170 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
​
The Arkansas Derby was originally scheduled to have a purse of $1,000,000. Under the provisions of the split, each division will have a purse of $500,000.
​
​
​
Arkansas Northeastern College pushing to graduate more steel workers
The expansion of a steel mill in Osceola has prompted an ever-growing push to hire more qualified candidates.
Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) partners with several corporations in the trade industry such as Big River Steel in hopes of graduating more students to enter the manufacturing field.
"You don't even need to have a bachelor's degree to get in the steel industry, you can do that with a degree two years or less," said ANC President James Shemwell.
Mississippi County serves as one of the leading counties for steel production in the U.S.
​
​
Big River Steel closes deal with U.S. Steel, values Osceola mill at $2.3 billion
Privately held Big River Steel in Northeast Arkansas has closed on its deal announced last month to make United States Steel Corp. a minority stakeholder of the company’s scrap recycling and steel production facility in Mississippi County.
​
Under terms of the agreement, U.S. Steel will hold a 49.9% ownership interest in the world’s only LEED-certified steel production facility. U.S. Steel’s investment will join majority ownership positions now held by Big River Steel’s executive management team, the Arkansas Teachers Retirement System, and the preferred equity ownership position held by Koch-owned KM BRS LLC and TPG Furnace L.P., an affiliate of Goldman Sachs vehicle TPG Growth.
U.S Steel to pay $700M for stake in Big River mill
U.S. Steel Corp., based in Pittsburgh, will pay $700 million to take 49.9% ownership of Big River Steel, which was built near the Mississippi River, just south of Osceola, funded in part by Arkansas taxpayers. U.S. Steel has an option to buy the remaining 50.1% of the company within four years, the company said Tuesday in announcing the deal. Big River’s $1.3 billion mill opened in January 2017, after about two years of construction. The mill has about 550 employees, with average annual pay of $75,000, including bonuses. It remains the largest economic development project in state history.
Mullenix & Associates To Welcome Kelley Linck
Firm Now Includes Two Former Legislators
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Sept. 10, 2019) - Mullenix & Associates LLC today announced Kelley Linck will join the firm in mid-October. With this addition, the firm will have seven members, including two former legislators and three attorneys, and a combined 65 years of experience with state legislative, policy and regulatory issues.
Chain rings up big sales in state; McDonald's buys up $676M in goods
Fast-food giant McDonald's Corp. buys tons of commodities from suppliers around the world, and yet the super-size orders are filled in Arkansas.
Just last year, the McDonald's system bought more than $676 million in agricultural products from the Natural State, ranging from chickens and canola to soybeans.
Green Steel: How Arkansas Became Home To America's Cleanest And Fastest-Growing Steelmaker
Inside cavernous blue hangars set on 1,100 acres of what was once soy fields abutting the Mississippi River, a succession of 300-ton scrap-filled buckets—the remains of old cars and refrigerators—await their turn at the furnace. Wailing sirens pierce the deafening rumble, and sparks fly as blindingly yellow flames rise up from the glowing ladle.
Zekelman Industries to build largest tube mill in the world in Blytheville, add 75 jobs
Zekelman Industries, the parent company of Atlas Tube, announced Tuesday (July 30) in Blytheville it will build the world’s largest continuous ERW tube mill on property adjacent to its existing Atlas Tube mill.
Le Bonheur named a Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has been named a Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. This is the ninth consecutive year Le Bonheur has been included in the prestigious list with recognition in eight specialties.
Big River Steel closes on $800 million debt-equity financing package to expand scrap metal capacity
Big River Steel on Monday (June 3) announced it had closed on a debt-and-equity financing arrangement to expand its scrap metal recycling and flat-rolled steel production facility in Osceola, doubling current capacity to 3.3 million tons annually.
Arkansas Northeastern College to Open Allied Technology Center
When Arkansas Northeastern College opened its new Center for Allied Technologies, it consolidated three facilities, enhanced its role as a leader in custom training and education and brought the world to its doorstep.
Prairie Grove teacher saves student’s life by using an app
A touch of a button is all it took for one Prairie Grove teacher to save her student’s life. Brandy Carte, a special education teacher at Prairie Grove Elementary, credits her live-saving technique to something she holds right in the palm of her hand–her phone.
