Brighter future. Cleaner power. Entergy Arkansas is investing today to power a brighter future for our customers. Clean, reliable energy is not only vital to the safety and comfort of every Arkansan, it fuels industry and our economy. Together, we power life.
BUILDING CLEAN POWER GENERATION Arkansas’ largest solar energy project, the Stuttgart Solar Energy Center, came online in 2018, providing 81 megawatts of clean, reliable power. A 100-megawatt solar facility in Chicot County will come online in 2020, and a proposed solar facility near Searcy will provide another 100 megawatts. Together, these facilities will provide enough clean power to energize more than 45,000 homes.
MODERNIZING THE GRID TO IMPROVE RELIABILITY We are replacing and upgrading infrastructure like power lines and substations to improve reliability and maintain affordable power for years to come.
INVESTING IN NEW TECHNOLOGY Implementing new digital technology and advanced meters improves power restoration, energy efficiency and customer service. These new tools can also help customers better understand and control their energy usage. Learn more at entergyarkansas.com/brightfuture.
A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC Š2020 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
15412 EAL AB Print Ad_8.5x9.875_Non Bleed.indd 1
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A Growing Health System for a Growing Community
New Medical Offices
More Specialists
Expanded Access
Dr. Scott Smith practices at our Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center. At Conway Regional, our team of talented orthopedic surgeons and specialists are dedicated to helping you regain mobility and recover from injury and disease. We’re bringing you the most advanced technology, comprehensive experience, and world-class care. We’re not just growing—we’re growing together.
#conwayregional
Innovative Services
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INDUSTRY
THIS MONTH EMPLOYMENT
PREVIOUS MONTH
CONSTRUCTION
54,400
55,500
GOVERNMENT
216,900
216,600
MANUFACTURING
163,600
163,700
HEALTH CARE
180,800
180,200
TRADE & TRANSPORTATION
258,600
254,600
FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
62,000
62,200
LABOR FORCE
EMPLOYED
UNEMPLOYED
RATE
PULASKI COUNTY
192,144
186,108
6,036
3.1
BENTON COUNTY
140,176
136,927
3,249
2.3
WASHINGTON COUNTY
127,935
125,147
2788
2.2
FAULKNER COUNTY
62,289
60,565
1,724
2.8
SALINE COUNTY
58,543
56,979
1,564
2.7
200000
150000
100000
LABOR FORCE
EMPLOYED
UNEMPLOYED
RATE
CALHOUN COUNTY
2,440
2,355
85
3.5
LAFAYETTE COUNTY
2,495
2,387
108
4.3
MONROE COUNTY
2,768
2,657
111
4.0
WOODRUFF COUNTY
2,831
2,701
130
4.6
DALLAS COUNTY
2,847
2,729
118
4.1
50000
0
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OAKLAWN BY THE NUMBERS
1904
Year Oaklawn was founded
650
Employees
Four $1 Million Races in 2020
2705 Central Ave. Hot Springs, AR 71901 (501) 623-4411 Oaklawn.com
OAKLAWN RACING CASINO RESORT Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort has been one of the premier Thoroughbred racetracks in the country since opening in 1904 and has been a staple in the Arkansas Tourism industry. Under the leadership of the Cella family, Oaklawn has flourished over four generations, contributing to the growth of tourism in Hot Springs and Arkansas. Today, Oaklawn offers a full house of fun and excitement day and night, all year long. The casino features live craps and blackjack, roulette, and the newest and most popular slots. In 2019, Oaklawn became the first venue in the state to offer sports wagering. The racetrack offered record purses for the 11th consecutive year during the 2019 live race meet, which was the first in its history to extend past the Arkansas Derby and into May. Oaklawn became the first track to split a $1 million race when the Rebel Stakes was run in two divisions in 2019. The track is preparing for yet another history-making season in 2020, increasing its previous two $1 million races to four $1 million races – the Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Handicap, and Apple Blossom Handicap. Due to the forward thinking of the Cella family, Oaklawn has enjoyed tremendous growth during the past five years and is currently in the midst of its second major expansion since 2014 and third since 2009. The current expansion, begun in May 2019, will include not only 28,000 square feet of new casino space, but also a 200-room luxury hotel, spa, pool, additional restaurants, and a 14,000 multi-purpose event center, which will help Oaklawn remain the Number One tourist attraction in Arkansas.
28,000
Square feet of new casino space under expansion
Celebrate Your Company’s Milestone Arkansas
Mental Health Guide
DESIGN AWARDS | 2019 A SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS MONEY & POLITICS • NOVEMBER 2019
AMP | APRIL 2019
NARMC NORTH ARKANSAS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
The
Steve Straessle, Catholic High Principal, Knows the Price
DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS HEALTHCARE IS A FAMILY AFFAIR AT NARMC NARMC PHARMACY SETS AN EXAMPLE
AY Media Group, locally owned publishers of Arkansas Money & Politics, AY About You, Mental Health Guide, and more, are proud to offer book publishing for your company. We produce the finest quality books through our creative content division for many of the Arkansas area’s leading businesses. For additional information or to discuss the creation of your book or other custom content for your brand, please contact: Heather Baker | 501-244-9700 | HBAKER@AYMEDIAGROUP.COM
ABOUT
YOU MEDIA GROUP
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PLANNING A PATH FORWARD Ford Next Generation Learning mobilizes educators, employers and community leaders to create a new generation of young people who will graduate from high school both college- and career-ready — an emerging workforce prepared to compete successfully in the 21st century economy.
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The transformation of old grain elevators into works of art are among visually striking additions to downtown Fort Smith.
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GOOD MEDICINE Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) Proudly educating tomorrow’s medical professionals, right here, right now. We think it’s good medicine for all of Arkansas
7000 Chad Colley Boulevard Fort Smith, AR 72916
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Master of Science in Biomedicine (MSB)
Future programs:
Arkansas College of OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
479-308-2243 (ACHE)
Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy • Physician Assistant Studies
www.acheedu.org
CONGRATULATIONS to MAYOR FRANK SCOTT for being named one of the 2020 Arkansas Influencers.
Frank has focused his professional career on giving back to the community, city, and state that has invested so much in him. He is a firm believer in education and the opportunity it can provide. He knows something about the power of purpose. He focuses on growing the regional economy.
Introducing a complete health system centered on creating a better state of health for every Arkansan.
You’ll find us in every corner of the state. We care for you through our hospital and clinics as well as deliver specialty care through our digital health connections — allowing patients to be seen by a UAMS health care provider without leaving home. For 140 years, you’ve known UAMS as the state’s health care leader… where the brightest minds deliver advanced treatments. What started with one campus in Little Rock in 1879 has evolved into a multi-campus clinical delivery system that includes regional campuses strategically placed across the state with plans to add more. More than a hospital. More than a health sciences university. And more than cuttingedge research. We are an integrated health system — one that serves all of the state, ensuring better access and, ultimately, a better state of health for each and every Arkansan.
UAMShealth.com
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B U I L D I N G ARKANSAS’ NEXT G E N E R AT I O N HOSPITALS
CLARKCONTRACTORS.NET (501) 868-3133
FEATURING ARKANSAS HEAR T HOSPITAL ENCORE MEDICAL CENTER COMING FALL 2020
WDDARCHITECTS.COM (501) 376-6681
ARKANSAS HAS OUR HEART.
Arkansas Heart Hospital delivers the best in cardiac care to communities across the state, and in fall 2020 our new Encore Medical Center will make that care more advanced than ever. Under the direction of Dr. Bruce Murphy, construction is underway on a state-of-the-art multi-specialty center that will focus on adult obesity and peripheral vascular disease. Whether they need bariatric surgery, intensive cardiac rehab, peripheral vascular treatment or guidance for healthy lifestyle changes, Arkansans are never far from world-class care.
21514 I-30 Frontage Rd. | Bryant (501) 326-6868 ARHeart.com
SUBSCRIBE & GET THE LATEST
ON ARKANSAS armoneyandpolitics.com
Welcome
TO THE TEAM Danny is responsible for leading USAble Life’s growth strategies – increasing ancillary penetration in our distribution partners and expanding our business to encompass additional markets, segments, and products. DANNY TIMBLIN Chief Growth Officer, USAble Life
THE
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WE KEEP YOU INFORMED ON HEALTH CARE. armoneyandpolitics.com
ONE YEAR FOR $28.
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CITY SPOTLIGHT
EL DORADO
MAKING WAVES IN SOUTH ARKANSAS BY RYA N N I X , P HOTOS BY JA MI SON MOS LE Y
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A decomissioned oil derrick provides functional decoration to the MAD Music Hall.
Pam Griffin, president and CEO of the Murphy Arts District.
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“For El Dorado students, attending college isn’t a distant possiblility. It is a hopeful reality.”
Veronica Smith-Creer, mayor of El MAYOR KEN KINCADE Dorado.
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Produce from Cabot’s Holland Bottom Farms.
Laredo Grill, one of downtown’s many attractions.
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MURPHY ARTS DISTRICT COLLABORATING WITH CRYSTAL BRIDGES El Dorado is nothing if not unique, and a unique collaboration is headed to its downtown Murphy Arts District. It will introduce the first off-site exhibition to be curated by Bentonville’s world-renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and feature work from noted Scottish artist Claire Helen Ashley, based in Chicago. The exhibit — AstroZone: An Interactive Art Experience — will run Feb. 1 through April 4 at the First Financial Music Hall and include Ashley’s large, inflatable pieces in different shapes and colors displayed from the ceiling and as floor-level placements. The pieces reflect Ashley’s vision of extraterrestrial life and alien landscapes. El Dorado’s commitment to the arts through development of the Murphy Arts District (MAD) is real, and the funky little oil town in south Arkansas is responding — more than 6,000 students from regional public schools are scheduled to visit the exhibit through its run downtown. Murphy Arts District CEO Terry Stewart, former president/CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, says El Dorado always intended to broaden its artistic horizons. The collaboration with Crystal Bridges does just that. “We have had a collective vision of diversifying our programmatic offerings beyond the performing arts and culinary experiences,” he says. “Early conversations with Crystal Bridges focusing on our intent to develop a major arts center integral to our campus gave rise to
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creative ways for collaboration. This partnership is now a reality and is manifested in the cutting edge AstroZone exhibition curated for us by one of the premier museums in the world, and we could not be more excited and appreciative.” Crystal Bridges had been looking to expand its mission of providing access to art within the state and “help make Arkansas a great place to live and play,” according to Rod Bigelow, the museum’s executive director. “It’s a natural fit for Crystal Bridges and Murphy Arts District to work together, as we each are focused on offering our communities access to the arts.” The exhibit is free of charge through its entire run and represents what MAD hopes will be a continuing relationship with Crystal Bridges. For more information, visit Eldomad.com/AstroZone.
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ARKANSAS’
TOP
INFLUENCERS 2020
Celebrating Over 130 Years Together, with compassionate physicians, caregivers, volunteers and the generosity of many, we are striving to meet the needs of the communities we serve. We are dedicated to being a great place to work, practice medicine and deliver excellent, compassionate care. For more about your health and our specialists, visit chistvincent.com.
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THANK YOU, Stacy Hurst and Gretchen Hall Your leadership and influence positively impact the Arkansas Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
Congratulations
to Randy Zook
PAID FOR BY YOUR FRIENDS IN THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Our mentor and encourager, Dad, Grandad, Uncle, Godfather, Big Brother and Husband.
Left photo: Stacy Hurst, Secretary, Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Right photo: Gretchen Hall, President & CEO, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau.
We love you.
CONGRATULATIONS
WARREN STEPHENS Thank you for your vision for Little Rock and support of the reimagined Arkansas Arts Center.
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UNPLUG
ENGAGE
You Can Make A Difference
For nearly 40 years, the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation has stood by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, helping when and where needed on special projects, capital campaigns, events and much, much more. Join the Foundation as we work to get the next generation to Unplug and Engage in Arkansas’s Outdoors. • Annual Membership Program • Capital Gift Campaigns • Planned Giving Programs • Arkansas Duck Stamp Print Program • Memorials and Honorariums • AGFC’s Regulation Guidebook Advertising • Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet
• Into the Wild Banquet • Commissioners’ Cup High School Fishing Championship • Duck Season Social • Annual Youth Trap Tournament • Arkansas Outdoor Society
Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
The Board of Directors of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation congratulates
DEKE WHITBECK
on being named one of the 2020 Arkansas Influencers. Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation | 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205
agff.org • 501.223.6468
.
CELEBRATING ARKANSAS’ GREAT INFLUENCERS Congratulations to the inaugural class of AMP Influencers who contribute to the health, prosperity and culture that naturally makes Arkansas a great state. You are an inspiration to everyone here and beyond.
INVESTMENT BANKING • PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT INSURANCE • INSTITUTIONAL EQUITIES & RESEARCH • FIXED INCOME CAPITAL MANAGEMENT • PUBLIC FINANCE • PRIVATE EQUIT Y STEPHENS INC. • MEMBER NYSE, SIPC • 800-643-9691
@Stephens_Inc
STEPHENS.COM
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Heather Larkin AMP Dec19.pdf
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Arkansas Community Foundation CEO Heather Larkin is an influence for good statewide as she leads a powerful network of givers with a shared purpose of making communities stronger. Through tools like the new online nonprofit directory at arcf.org/directory and county-by-county data on key issues at aspirearkansas.org, the Community Foundation can help individuals and businesses give smart. Flexible assets that can be deployed by local people are the most powerful way to overcome challenges and improve the quality of life. The Community Foundation can help you create an endowment to impact your community forever or a fund to meet immediate needs. To learn more, contact Foundation staff today.
Contact our staff at
501-372-1116
arcf.org/givesmart
Author of our success Congratulations Tad Bohannon for being named one of AMP’s 2020 Arkansas Influencers!
Under Tad’s leadership, CAW accomplished the following to benefit citizens within this region now and in the future: • Best Drinking Water in the state and region. • International recognition for merger and acquisition best practices • Arkansas Business Best Places to Work Finalist • Information Technology Master Plan resulting in the largest Customer Information System migration in CAW’s history • Secured access to 100 million gallons a day from DeGray Lake • The Nation’s First Water Leak Detection Dog
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Joseph B. Hurst, Founder
Chris Norwood, VP , Joe Hurst, Jr., 2nd Generation President, & Howard Hurst, 3rd Generation President
Stacy Hurst with Tipton & Hurst President Howard Hurst
Committed to Community Since 1886, Tipton & Hurst has been a contributing member of the community. We’re proud to salute Stacy Hurst for helping carry on our family’s long-standing tradition of giving back. (501) 666-3333
tiptonhurst.com
Guaranteed Satisfaction Since 1886
Little Rock | North Little Rock Conway | Pine Bluff
Starting or growing a business? Let us help. startupjunkie.org/consulting No-cost, one-on-one consulting JAN UA RY 2 02 0
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JI
I"
ASSOCIATED ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER INDUSTRIES OF OF COMMERCE ARKANSAS
Business matters.
Legislation enacted during the 2019 92nd General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature will enhance the vitality of the Arkansas business community for years to come. For employers, the most significant changes will be a reduction in corporate, individual and unemployment insurance taxes, which will allow reduced operating costs. The State Chamber/AIA also developed and secured passage of legislation involving workforce quality and education, transportation and infrastructure, the ballot initiative process, labor and employment, and the legal environment. Our work to support Arkansas businesses never stops. We will always lead the effort to secure Arkansas’s future through economic growth. 1200 West Capitol Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501-372-2222 | www.arkansasstatechamber.com
CACs provide statewide services to help child victims of abuse. Our services include: • Forensic Interview • Medical Exams by specially trained Sexual Abuse Nurse Examiners • Child and Family Advocacy • Mental Health Therapy • Prevention Education for the community to help stop abuse
Congratulations to Principal Steve Straessle for being named an Arkansas Influencer of the Year!
HOPE • HEALING • JUSTICE For Abused and Neglected Children in Arkansas
Report Child Abuse to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline
1-844-SAVE-A-CHILD or 800-482-5964
The Catholic High School Difference Integrity • Duty • Faith You’re invited to learn about the Catholic High tradition of achievement and how 90 years of brotherhood can change lives. Now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year.
Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas www.cacarkansas.org
6300 Father Tribou St. | Little Rock, AR (501) 664-3939
LRCHS.org
Congratulations
CONGRATULATIONS
GINA RADKE
Jimmy Moses for being named one of
The GSI Team would like to congratulate their own CEO Gina Radke on her new book, More Than! As well as, being selected as one of Arkansas top 25 influential people!
2020 Arkansas Influencers The recognition is well deserved. Way to go Gina we are so proud of you and grateful for your leadership!
Your Colleagues at
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AGRICULTURE
ARKANSAS FARMERS GRATEFUL TO PUT 2019 BEHIND THEM BAD WEATHER LEAVES $347M IMPACT ON STATE AGRICULTURE OUTPUT BY TYLER HALE
State officials estimate that Arkansas lost $23 million a day for every day that the Arkansas River was shut down due to flooding.
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Grain silos outside Newport.
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WE DELIVER PERSONAL SERVICE TO OUR MEMBERS EVERYDAY. Kelli connects with members and their homes, farms and businesses all across the north Arkansas area. One of 17 strong distribution partners, we’re all working together for a more powerful future.
Kelli Anderson MEMBER SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
1 Cooperative Way • Little Rock, AR 72209 • (501) 570-2200 • www.ecark.org
saving more than just energy OPTIMIZE YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND ECONOMICS
Manage and lower your energy consumption Lower operating costs Help improve power factor REDUCE demand Form a "green reputation" Store extra energy with battery storage systems FOR A FREE ANALYSIS, CONTACT US AT TODAYSPOWER.COM.
SEARCY WATER UTILITIES PARTNERS WITH ENTEGRITY ON A 5.7 MW SOLAR PROJECT TO FULLY OFFSET THEIR ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION WITH SOLAR POWER By: Sam Selig, PE
S
earcy Water Utilities has a history of staying ahead of the curve in implementing measures that improve efficiency to keep water and sewer rates low for the citizens of Searcy. Previous initiatives have included adding variable frequency drives to motors and upgrading to LED lighting. In 2018, Dan Dawson, General Manager of Searcy Water Utilities, saw an opportunity for solar power to improve the utility by reducing electric costs, and issued a public Request for Qualifications (RFQ). After an evaluation of qualifications, Searcy Water Utilities selected Entegrity Energy Partners, an energy services company and solar developer headquartered in Little Rock. On July 17, 2019, the Searcy Board of Public Utilities approved the final agreement that is projected to save the utility
seven million dollars ($7,000,000) throughout the life of the project. “Over the past year, we have done our due diligence and have concluded that a solar agreement with Entegrity will greatly benefit our customers by allowing us to reduce costs on electricity. These savings allow us to invest more into our system without increasing water rates. Keeping water and sewer rates low helps bring jobs to Searcy. We look forward to working with Entegrity in the coming months to bring this project to completion,” said Searcy Water Utilities’ Dawson. Under the terms of the agreement, Entegrity will build, own, and operate solar arrays for the use of Searcy Water Utilities at two different locations—a 1.2 MW array at the wastewater plant and an additional 4.5 MW array at an offsite location. “For Searcy Water Utilities to
Left to right: Spencer Oyemaja & Jimmy Smith of Searcy Water Utilities, Sam Selig of Entegrity Partners
approve a project like this shows that its board is looking out for its customers and the future of the utility,” added Sam Selig, Entegrity’s Water Division Director. Entegrity develops and has completed solar installations for water utilities, cities, counties, state agencies, school districts, and universities throughout Arkansas and the surrounding states.
Sam Selig is the Director of Operations - Water Division for Entegrity, an energy services and sustainability company specializing in the implementation of energy conservation and renewable energy projects. He can be reached at (501)622-9089 or sam.selig@entegritypartners.com
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arkansasbluecross.com MPI 8419 5/19
11:22 AM
An Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
epic.
2020 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame
Gerald Alley
President and CEO Con-Real, LP
Charles Nabholz
Chairman Emeritus Nabholz Corporation
Olivia Farrell
Retired CEO Arkansas Business Publishing Group
Reynie Rutledge
Chairman and CEO First Security Bancorp
Arkansas Business Hall of Fame Friday, February 7, 2020 Statehouse Convention Center Little Rock, Arkansas
Tickets to the black-tie optional event are available for $150 per person by calling 479.575.6146, emailing abhf@walton.uark.edu or online at walton.uark.edu/abhf. Sponsorships are available by contacting Leslie Manthei in the Sam M. Walton College of Business Office of External Relations at lmanthei@walton.uark.edu or 479.575.6120.