SEPTEMBER 2015
Michael Bynum and Dawn Johnson:
“Challenge accepted.” Long-time Faulkner County residents tasked with growing Eagle Bank & Trust in Conway
PAGE 4D
2D — Sunday, September 13, 2015
Faulkner County Business Journal
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Marketing workshop for small businesses set for Sept. 24 A seminar on marketing for small businesses is the first in a series of four workshops focused on the challenges and opportunities facing independently owned and operated enterprises. Named the Conway Small Business Institute, the series is a collaborative effort between the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Central Arkansas’ Division of Outreach and Community Engagement. The organizations formed the Institute to accomplish goals outlined in Conway2025, the city’s long-range strategic plan.
Small Business Marketing
The first session, Small Business Marketing, is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, at UCA’s Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center. The three-hour workshop, led by a group of small-business owners and marketing professionals, will last from 9 a.m. until noon. The cost to attend is $50. Jamie Gates, executive vice president for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said there is no faster or more affordable business seminar available in central Arkansas. “We realize a small-business owner’s
time is valuable, but so is the insight that will be available at this workshop,” Gates said. “If your small business puts any time or energy into marketing, I highly recommend finding time to attend or sending someone on your behalf.” Gates will begin the interactive session with the fundamentals of smallbusiness marketing. During the second hour, Jeff Standridge, vice president of sales and audience solutions for Acxiom Corporation, will discuss how small businesses can make the most of a limited
WORKSHOP < 3D
Registration deadline set for Business Expo, Taste of Conway
solving mysteries
Presented By:
in business
2015 BUSINESS EXPO featuring
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THE SETTING: Does finding new customers feel like detective work?
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At Business Expo, promote your business and gain a competitive advantage while developing new relationships with other professionals. TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFO: ConwayChamber.org | 501.327.7788
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Sponsorships and booth space are available for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 Business Expo and Taste of Conway until Wednesday, Sept. 30. The daylong event will take place Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Conway Expo Center and Fairgrounds. Southwestern Energy is the presenting sponsor.
UCA alumnus, investment management expert to speak at MED Awards Nikki Newton, senior vice president and global director of institutional marketing for Waddell & Reed/Ivy Funds, will be the keynote speaker at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Minority Enterprise Development awards gala. The event will take place Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom on the University of Central Arkansas campus. Newton graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance. He earned an MBA with an emphasis in finance from Washington University Olin School of Business. Prior to joining Waddell & Reed in 1998, Newton was affiliated with Scout Funds (formerly United Missouri Bank Institutional Investment Advisory) as a research analyst covering large and small value. He was promoted to vice president and portfolio manager for UMB Investment Advisors Institutional in 1995. Newton speaks globally on the domestic markets as well as lectures at his alma mater, Olin, on a variety of topics related to the investment management industry. Active in the Kansas City community, he is a member and past president of the board for Community Linc, a member of the Chairman’s Council of the Greater Kansas City
MED < 3D
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Governor to be featured guest at Partnership event Panel discussion will highlight “Data District” growth Governor Asa Hutchinson will be a featured guest at the Conway Downtown Partnership Annual Meeting at Hendrix College on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The governor will speak about the relationship between downtown, economic development, and technology. The event will also feature a panel discussion with leaders of four techoriented businesses located in downtown Conway: Josh Smith, Metova; Pete Tanguay, RockPond; Michael
Rasmussen, Eyenalyze; and Bryan Throckmorton, Big Cloud Analytics. “2015 has been an exciting year in downtown Conway,” said Kim Williams, director of the Conway Downtown Partnership. “I think it is one that has been defined by job creation and technology. Those are going to be core themes of this year’s annual meeting.” The Conway Downtown Partnership will also announce the 2015 winner of the downtown “award of distinction.” The award recognizes an individual or business that has had a profound impact or influence on downtown Conway. This year’s Annual Meet-
WORKSHOP from 2D marketing budget. A panel discussion about smart practices for small business marketing will feature small-business owners and marketing experts. Panelists include Jody Gatchell, owner of A&J Collision Repair; Kim Herrington, founder and co-owner of Orsanna – a Conway-based digital marketing and website design agency; and Drew Spurgers, owner and founder of Conway-based Kangabloo Creative – a firm specializing in marketing for small-to-medium-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations. Following the panel discussion, Kara Darling and Adena White will discuss how small businesses can put the finishing touches on their marketing efforts. Darling is a graphic designer for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and the owner of Kara Darling Creative, a virtual marketing services firm. White is director of communications for the Chamber and an accredited public relations professional.
How to Register
Those who register for the Conway Small Busi-
Sunday, September 13, 2015 — 3D
Faulkner County Business Journal
Asa Hutchinson
ing is presented by Bear State Bank. Tables and tickets are still available. To reserve a place, please contact Kim Williams at 501-932-5407 or Kim@ConwayArkansas.org.
Chamber accepting nominations for Women in Business awards The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual Women in Business Awards will take place Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Centennial Valley Events Center. The awards luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. The Women in Business Awards honor individuals in the Conway area who have excelled in leadership and community service and who have inspired others on both a personal and professional level. The Chamber is accepting nominations for the awards now through Wednesday, Sept. 30. A panel of Chamber executives outside the state of Arkansas will select the award recipients. At the December event, four individuals will receive the “Outstanding Woman in Business Award.” Those selected will embody high standards of excellence, ded-
ness Institute before the first session on Sept. 24 will be eligible to win one free booth at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo on Thursday, Oct. 15. Expo booths are $300 for Chamber members and $500 for non-members. The winner will be announced during the Small Business Marketing workshop on Sept. 24. The Conway Small Business Institute will offer its second workshop in October and the final two workshops in the spring of 2016. All sessions take place on the last Thursdays of September, October, February and March. The remaining 2015-2016 sessions are as follows: Oct. 29: Veteran-, Minority- and Women-Owned Business Certification Feb. 25: Human Resources March 31: Small Business Finance The registration fee is $50 per workshop. Participants who register for all four sessions will receive a discounted rate of $175. Visit uca.edu/outreach/csbi to register or for more information.
ication and accomplishment to their respective organizations, industries and to the business community. The “Diamond Achievement Award” will be presented to an individual with at least 25 years of professional experience. This award recognizes a woman who has inspired and empowered many generations of women and who has had a positive impact on those in her profession and in the community. To submit nominations for the Outstanding Woman in Business awards and/or the Diamond Achievement award, visit ConwayChamber.org and click on the Women in Business icon. For questions about the call for nominations, contact Mary Margaret Satterfield, director of events and Toad Suck Daze, at 501-932-5412 or mary@conwayarkansas.org.
MED from 2D United Way, and past president of the American Jazz Museum. In addition, Newton has been appointed to the University of Central Arkansas Foundation board, where he currently serves as secretary. The MED awards gala is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of minority entrepreneurs and the individuals and organizations committed to advancing minority-owned businesses. Award recipients will be announced prior to the event. Limited tables are available for the MED awards gala. Individual tickets are $45 and tables of eight are $350. Those interested in attending should visit ConwayChamber.org or contact Therese Pollard, director of events, at 501-932-5411 or Therese@ConwayArkansas.org.
4D — Sunday, September 13, 2015
Faulkner County Business Journal
To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat
Michael Bynum and Dawn Johnson: “Challenge accepted.” Long-time Faulkner County residents tasked with growing Eagle Bank & Trust in Conway
In September 2014, Executive Vice President Michael Bynum joined Eagle Bank & Trust to lead the company’s expansion into Conway. An 18-year veteran of the banking industry, Bynum is the President and Chief Lending Officer of the Faulkner County Market, where he oversees all bank branches in Faulkner County. The following month, Dawn Johnson joined Eagle Bank & Trust as Vice President, where she serves as the Manager of the Conway loan production office and a Loan Assistant. Bynum and Johnson had worked together previously at another Conway bank, where they were instrumental in opening a loan production office and a new branch. Upon learning that Eagle Bank & Trust was looking to expand its presence in Conway, Bynum and Johnson – long-time residents of Faulkner County – decided to pursue the opportunity. “Basically, Dawn and I like challenges,” Bynum said. “We like to have a vision, and have a challenge to get it done. We both had experience opening a bank and looked forward to doing it again in the Conway Market.” In January 2015, Eagle Bank & Trust opened its Conway loan production office at 805 Monroe Street. With a fullservice branch in Vilonia, the loan production office in Conway is Eagle Bank & Trust’s second location in Faulkner County. The financial institution has plans to open a full-service branch in Conway subject to Arkansas State Bank Department approval. Johnson said joining Eagle Bank & Trust was an ideal situation for her and Bynum as well as the bank. “The timing was perfect,” she said. “Conway is a great market, and Eagle Bank & Trust was looking to expand. In addition, our bank had recently been purchased, so
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Staffed by Michael Bynum and Dawn Johnson, Eagle Bank & Trust’s loan production office opened in January 2015 at 805 Monroe Street in Conway. The bank plans to open a full-service branch in the city subject to Arkansas State Bank Department approval.
we liked the idea of working for a small community bank. It was a good fit for us.” Bynum said he and Johnson are in the process of looking for land to purchase for Eagle Bank & Trust’s fullservice branch. “We’ve got our eyes on some property and are trying to get some things finalized before we pull the trigger. We’re hoping within the next 12 months to purchase some land and have a branch built.” While the existing office only offers lending services, Bynum said the future full-service branch in Conway will have additional lending and retail staff. “We will probably hire another eight employees – from loan officers to tellers,” he said. While he is confident in his and Johnson’s ability to open a new bank, Bynum realizes opening a bank branch
in a new market comes with challenges. “Dawn and I have lived in Faulkner County for over 20 years and have established a strong customer base with a loyal following,” Bynum said. “However, we realize that new customers will not simply walk into our door.” Bynum’s philosophy to success in banking is a simple one, but he says it is not necessarily easy. “Building a future bank branch and expanding a team is exciting, but it’s also rewarding,” he said. “In my opinion, our success will come down to four things: 1) if the customer likes us, 2) if the customer trusts us, 3) if the customer knows we’re going to take care of their business and 4) most importantly it is all about growing and maintaining long term banking relationships.” “We are committed to earning our customers’ business – whether they are
applying for a consumer, home, business or commercial loan. We’re going to handle things quickly and efficiently while providing a personalized customer experience, which is central to the nearly 100-year mission of Eagle Bank & Trust.”
About Eagle Bank & Trust
Locally owned and operated in Arkansas since 1919, Eagle Bank & Trust has 15 locations in 12 communities located throughout central and northcentral Arkansas, including Conway, Little Rock, Heber Springs, Maumelle, Gravel Ridge, Sherwood, Vilonia, Quitman, Rose Bud, Drasco, Fairfield Bay, and Greers Ferry. To learn more about Eagle Bank & Trust, visit eaglebank.com. To contact Michael Bynum or Dawn Johnson at their Conway office, call 501-504-2200.
6D — Sunday, September 13, 2015
Faulkner County Business Journal
COTTON, HUTCHINSON VISIT CONWAY
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TOP RESIDENTIAL SALES, SEPTEMBER
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US Senator Tom Cotton addresses the Conway Area Chamber Government Affairs committee during a recent visit. Senator Cotton visited the chamber, Southwestern Energy, and Metova.
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US Representative French Hill briefs chamber representatives during a lunch held at UCA. Rep. Hill also met with leadership from Hewlett Packard and Conway Regional Health System.
Address
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2825 Collins 5140 Greystone 4320 Gazebo 4865 Prestonwood 2745 TJ Dr
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3400 2961 3153 2848 2722
104.41 113.10 100.70 98.98 101.03
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Cresthaven Fieldstone Sunderlin Park Westin Park Catherine Place
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Faulkner County Business Journal
Sunday, September 13, 2015 — 7D
EconomyGlance Conway Economy At a Glance By Roger Lewis Pulse of Conway Unemployment Rate July 2015 Seasonally Adjusted US......................................5.3% Arkansas...........................5.6% Not Seasonally Adjusted US......................................5.6% Arkansas...........................5.8% Faulkner County.............. 5.3% Conway..............................5.1% Sales Tax Collections Conway* June 1 2015.........................$2,146,665 2014...........................1,919,615 Percent Change...............11.8%
2013..........................8,588,835 2012..........................8,465,686 Percent Change2013-14...2.2% *Tax Rate 0.5% 1 Paid to City and County in June Restaurant Sales* July 2015.......................$14,502,790 2014.........................14,628,203 Percent Change-0.9% Year to Date (July) 2015.....................$107,192,770 2014.......................102,272,772 Percent Change................4.7 %
Annual Sales 2014.....................$176,205,965 2013.......................164,519,369 2012.......................161,318,563 Percent Change 2013-14...7.1% Year to Date (June) *Including mixed drink sales 2015.......................$11,628.949 2014.......................$11,265,428 Hotel Sales July Percent Change.................3.2% 2015.........................$1,801,109 2014...........................1,719,529 Annual Percent Change................4.7 % 2014.......................$23,416,628 2013.........................23,235,891 Year to Date (July) 2012.........................22,944,163 2015.........................$9,463,596 Percent Change2013-14...0.8% 2014.........................10,239,784 *Tax Rate 1.75% Percent Change................-7.6% Faulkner County* June 1 2015............................$793,082 2014..............................726,685 Percent Change.................9.1% Year to Date (June) 2015.........................$4,309,758 2014.........................$4,213,946 Percent Change.................2.3% Annual 2014..........................$8,774,10 9
Annual Sales 2014.......................$19,336,169 2013.........................18,559,308 2012.........................18,683,677 Percent Change2013 – 2014 ...........................................4.2% Real Estate Market* New and Existing Residential Units Sold In Faulkner County Year to Date (July) 2015...........................931 Units 2014...........................859 Units
Percent Change.................8.4% 2012..............................207,537 2011............................. 204,387 Average Price Percent Change 2013 – 2014 2015..........................$169,944 ..........................................-3.5% 2014..........................$152,788 *Not including lat or lot imPercent Change.................8.6% provements * sold by realtors Data source: Cooperative Average Construction Arkansas Realtors Association Cost Per Square Foot* Year to Date (August) Conway Building Permits 2015................................$83.20 Single Family Homes 2014................................$76.36 Year to Date (August) Percent Change....................9% 2015.......................110 Permits 2014.........................78 Permits Annual Percent Change..................41% 2014................................$75.22 2013..................................76.04 Annual 2012..................................71.33 2014.......................119 permits 2011..................................72.64 2013.......................147 Permits Percent Change 2013 – 2014 2012.......................186 Permits ...........................................1.1% 2011.......................153 Permits *Not including lat or lot imPercent Change 2013 – 2014provements -total under roof .........................................19.0% Lottery Sales Average Square Footage* Faulkner County Year to date (August) Year to Date (August) 2015..................................2,904 2015.........................$9,638,167 2014..................................2,878 2014...........................9,651,976 Percent Change.................0.9% Percent Change.............. -0.1 % Annual Annual 2014.......................$14,193,204 2014..................................2,929 2013.........................17,038,277 2013..................................3,002 2012.........................16,943,909 2012..................................2,910 Percent Change 2013 - 2014 2011..................................2,814 ........................................-16.7% Percent Change 2013-2014 ..........................................-2.4% Total State * Total under roof Year to Date (August) 2015.....................$281,941,028 Average Construction 2014.......................273,285,324 Cost* Percent Change................ 3.2% Year to Date (August) 2015............................$241,626 Annual 2014............................$219,765 2014.....................$401,251,365 Percent Change.................9.9% 2013.......................432,932,798 2012.......................452,245,217 Annual Percent Change 2013 - 2014 2014............................$220,311 ..........................................-7.3% 2013..............................228,275
Natural Gas Severance Tax Distribution Conway Year to Date (September) 2015............................$212,761 2014..............................278,650 Percent Change..............-23.6% Annual 2014............................$363,837 2013..............................276,523 2012..............................162,523 Percent Change 2013 - 2014 .........................................31.6% All Other Faulkner County Municipalities Year to Date (September) 2015..............................$57,389 2014................................70,206 Percent Change..............-26.8% Annual 2014..............................$91,610 2013................................69,671 2012................................40,932 Percent Change 2013 – 2014 .........................................31.6% Faulkner County* Year to Date-(August) 2015............................$173,257 2014..............................226,940 Percent Change..............-23.7% Annual 2014............................$296,411 2013..............................224,455 2012..............................131,418 Percent Change 2013 – 2014 .........................................32.1% *This is the amount received by the county government and is in addition to that received by the municipalities. Information provided by Pulse of Conway
8D — Sunday, September 13, 2015
Faulkner County Business Journal
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