U.S. farm effort aids 3 programs in state
Programs in three Arkansas communities will get technical and financial help through the federal Local Foods, Local Places initiative that supports farmers by directing their crops to farmers markets, restaurants and other outlets.
Chris Masingill, co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority, said the effort is designed to help local economies by creating jobs and making healthy foods available to residents.
Osceola, the Flippin School District and the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock were among 26 communities in 19 states that will get planning assistance from six federal agencies that have pooled about $800,000 as part of an initiative led by the White House Rural Council. The awards, announced Wednesday, will pay for technical support to identify how best to integrate small farms and other agricultural interests into a community's economy.
Warwick Sabin, executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, said the grant will allow it to develop downtown opportunities for food entrepreneurs and farmers through a new "regional food innovation center."
The Flippin School District and Osceola plan to develop farmers markets.
-- Glen Chase
$1.5M from retailer to help food pantries
Wal-Mart will donate $20,000 to 75 food pantries across the country, a total of $1.5 million, as part of its Food Pantry Holiday Makeover campaign.
Money will be distributed to hunger-relief organizations for equipment purchases and renovations. Donations will be made based on the results of an online vote.
Wal-Mart, citing a U.S. Agriculture Department report, said more than 49 million Americans were hungry in 2013. Those numbers include 16 million children.
Each food pantry selected will receive a grant or renovations and other upgrades.
Voting for the campaign is open through Dec. 12 at www.walmart.com/holidaymakeover.
-- Chris Bahn
State index up 2.37 as 4 issues hit highs
The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, gained 2.37 to 381.03 on Wednesday.
"U.S. stocks closed at record levels on strength in energy, materials and industrial sectors after a rebound in oil and gold prices on Wednesday," said John Blackwell, senior vice president and managing director of equity trading at Stephens Inc. in Little Rock.
USA Truck rose 3.4 percent and hit a 52-week high.
Murphy USA rose 2.5 percent in light trading.
America's Car-Mart, Bear State Financial and P.A.M. Transportation Services also reached 52-week highs.
The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.
Business on 12/04/2014