NW Arkansas rate for jobless at 4.9%
The unemployment rate in Northwest Arkansas fell to 4.9 percent in December, down from 5.1 percent in December 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Three other Arkansas metropolitan areas had rates below 7 percent in December.
Little Rock’s rate was 6.2 percent, unchanged from December 2012. Jonesboro’s unemployment rate was 6.6 percent in December, down from 6.7 percent the previous December. Texarkana’s rate was 6.8 percent in December, up from 6.2 percent in December 2012.
Arkansas’ unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in December, and the nation’s rate was 6.7 percent.
Other December unemployment rates in Arkansas’ metropolitan areas, compared with the previous December were:
Hot Springs, 7.5 percent, up from 7.4 percent.
Fort Smith, 7.6 percent, down from 7.7 percent.
Pine Bluff, 9.8 percent, up from 9.0 percent.
- David Smith
State Century Farm applications sought
Arkansas Agriculture Department is seeking applications for the 2014 Arkansas Century Farm Program honoring families who have owned and farmed land for at least 100 years.
Since the program began in 2012, 185 farms have been certified Arkansas Century Farms. Qualified applicants will be given a personalized metal sign and a certificate.
To qualify, the same family must have owned the farm for at least 100 years by Dec.
31, 2014. Ownership may be traced through the original settler or buyer through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces; marriage; or adoption.
The farm must contain 10 acres or more of the original land and make a contribution to overall farm income.
Applications must come from the legal owners of the land and can be obtained from the Arkansas Agricultural Department by calling (501) 683-4851 or from the department’s website. Applications must be postmarked by May 31 to be eligible for designation in 2014.
- John Magsam
State index climbs 4.21 to end 314.66
The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, rose 4.21 to 314.66 Thursday.
“U.S. stocks jumped higher on Thursday lifted by better-than-expected [unemployment] claims and strong earnings reports from Walt Disney Co. and Akamai Technologies,” said John Blackwell, senior vice president and managing director of equity trading at Stephens Inc. in Little Rock. “The Arkansas Index moved higher as 14 stocks advanced and three declined.”
Dillard’s gained 5.3 percent in heavy trading.
USA Truck was up 4.9 percent in light trading.
P.A.M. Transportation lost 3.4 percent on low volume.
The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.
Business, Pages 25 on 02/07/2014