Walmart cutting corporate jobs, recalls some remote workers (Updated)

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Several hundred jobs are being cut at Walmart’s home office and its global tech operations. The layoffs in Bentonville began Monday (May 13), according to people familiar with the matter. Merchandising operations are being reorganized with some cuts in associate merchant jobs.

Updated info: Walmart Chief People Officer Donna Morris sent the following statement Tuesday (May 14) to employees.

“It has been a little over four years since we faced the global pandemic that reshaped our lives in many ways, including our ways of working. In February 2022, we made the decision to bring Home Office associates back into our campus offices. We believe that being together, in person, makes us better and helps us to collaborate, innovate and move even faster. We also believe it helps strengthen our culture as well as grow and develop our associates.

“With the goal of bringing more of us together more often, we are asking the majority of associates working remotely, and the majority of associates within our offices in Dallas, Atlanta, and our Toronto Global Tech office, to relocate. Most relocations will be to our Home Office in Bentonville, but some will be to our offices in the San Francisco Bay Area or Hoboken/New York.

Walmart cutting corporate jobs, recalls some remote workers (Updated)

Gov. Sanders, Commerce Department distribute $20 million for state’s nursing pipeline

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

More than $20 million in training grants were awarded to 19 two-year and four-year Arkansas schools to expand the state’s nursing profession.

Gov. Sarah Sanders, Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald and Cody Waits, Director of Arkansas Workforce Connection, announced the $20.4 million funding for the Arkansas Linking Industry to Growing Nurses, or ALIGN, grants on Monday (May 13).

“As Governor, one of my biggest priorities is preparing young Arkansans for the careers of the future. Healthcare and nursing is one of our primary areas of focus,” said Gov. Sanders. “The 19 two- and four-year colleges and universities receiving grants today train some of the best nurses in America. Each of them will help us build Arkansas’ next generation of healthcare professionals.”

Gov. Sanders, Commerce Department distribute $20 million for state’s nursing pipeline

Division of Arkansas Heritage announces 2024 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame finalists

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The finalists have been announced for the 2024 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.

The finalists include:

Top Dog Catering (Lonoke County)
Bennett’s Seafood (Garland County)
The Purple Banana (Benton County)
BubbaLu’s (Garland County)
Beech Street Bistro (Ashley County)
Anderson’s (White County)
Juanita’s (Pulaski County)
Polar Freeze (Lawrence County)
Arkansas Pie Festival (Sharp County)
Mayhaw Festival (Union County)
Mt. Nebo Chicken Fry (Yell County)
Slovak Oyster Supper (Arkansas County)
Soup Sunday (Pulaski County)
Crissy’s Pub Style (Saline County)
Tusk & Trotter American Brasserie (Benton County)
Loca Luna and Red Door (Pulaski County)
Woods Place (Ouachita County)
Doe’s Eat Place (Pulaski County)
Big Banjo Pizza Parlor (Jefferson County)
The Faded Rose (Pulaski County)
Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets (Lonoke County)
Herman’s Ribhouse (Washington County)
Daisy Queen (Searcy County)
The Dixie Pig (Mississippi County)
Ray’s (Drew County)
Old South Restaurant (Pope County)
Dairyette (Montgomery County)
Hugo’s (Washington County)
Taliano’s Italian Restaurant (Sebastian County)
Brave New Restaurant (Pulaski County)
K Hall & Sons (Pulaski County)

Award finalists were announced at an event Monday (May 13) hosted by the Division of Arkansas Heritage. Ryall was accompanied by Shea Lewis, secretary for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, and members of the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Committee.

Division of Arkansas Heritage announces 2024 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame finalists

It’s time to prioritize maternal health in Arkansas

by Ashley Bearden Campbell (Ashley@impactmanagement.com)

Mothers have a fundamental role in the fabric of our families and society. Each May allows us the opportunity to express our profound gratitude for their love and sacrifice, and to acknowledge the importance of maternal health – a value deeply rooted in Arkansas’ commitment to family and life.

May is also Maternal Mental Health Month. As a mom and maternal health advocate who has openly shared my own battle with postpartum depression, anxiety, and PTSD, I have a profound understanding of the importance of sharing our experiences to spark change in the way we approach maternal mental health before, during, and after pregnancy.

After delivering my daughter via an emergency cesarean at just 28 weeks and 5 days gestation, I was not only unprepared for the physical challenges I had to overcome due to complications from pre-eclampsia and a high-risk birth, but I was also unaware that NICU moms are more pre-dispositioned to experiencing mental health issues.

It’s time to prioritize maternal health in Arkansas

Image by Klara Kulikova

Cherokee Freedmen touring exhibit opens at the U.S. Marshals Museum

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The U.S. Marshals Museum is the third location for a touring exhibit created by the Cherokee Nation that focuses on the tribe’s “painful moments” with slavery, especially with the Cherokee Freedmen.

“We Are Cherokee: Cherokee Freedmen and the Right to Citizenship,” features the stories, history, images and documents of Cherokee Freedmen, alongside original artworks by Cherokee Nation artists. The special exhibit opened May 11 at the museum, which is located at 789 Riverfront Drive in downtown Fort Smith.

The special exhibit is presented as part of the Cherokee Freedmen Art and History Project initiative, established by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., to broaden Cherokee Nation’s understanding of the Cherokee Freedmen experience and ensure that it is included in the greater narrative of Cherokee history.

Cherokee Freedmen touring exhibit opens at the U.S. Marshals Museum

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., speaks during the opening of the Cherokee Freedmen exhibit at the U.S. Marshals Museum.

Legal experts weigh in on the use of dicamba

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

One of the most controversial topics in the agriculture industry is the use of the herbicide dicamba. Many state and federal policies regarding dicamba have changed in recent years including a federal court decision in Arizona that questions the future use of over-the-top dicamba products. The three products targeted are XtendiMax, Engenia and Tavium.

“The Feb. 6 decision from the U.S. District Court of Arizona was another major development in the ongoing saga impacting producers’ methods for protecting their crops,” Brigit Rollins, staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center, said. “Pending a possible appeal, producers will not be able to rely on over-the-top dicamba as they may have in the past.”

A week after the court ruling, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice that it would still allow producers to use existing stocks of over-the-top dicamba during the upcoming growing season.

Legal experts weigh in on the use of dicamba

Lyon College to locate dental school in LR’s Riverdale neighborhood, vet school in Cabot

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Lyon College officials announced Tuesday (May 7) the locations of their planned dental and veterinary schools with one locating in Little Rock and the other in Cabot.

In November 2023, an original plan to locate the dental and vet schools in the Heifer International headquarters in downtown Little Rock fell through.

OneHealth Companies, the school’s original partner in the venture, failed to meet the deadline to buy the Heifer International facility, according to numerous published reports. OneHealth is no longer involved with Lyon on the project.

Lyon College to locate dental school in LR’s Riverdale neighborhood, vet school in Cabot

ATA hosts annual trucking conference this week in Rogers

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Nearly 300 trucking industry leaders are expected to attend the annual Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) Conference & Vendor Showcase this week in Rogers.

The ATA will host the conference from Wednesday (May 8) to Friday (May 10). The conference events will largely take place at Rogers Convention Center and include speakers who will discuss economics, politics, autonomous vehicles and litigation.

Andrew Boyle, chairman of the American Trucking Associations and co-president of Boyle Transportation, will be the keynote speaker and provide the state of the industry address at 1:30 p.m. Thursday (May 9). Boyle will discuss the most pressing industry challenges, such as electric vehicle mandates and threats to the independent contractor model.

ATA hosts annual trucking conference this week in Rogers

Meet the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s 2024 Fast 15 class

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Northwest Arkansas is increasingly recognized for its economic prosperity and high quality of life, attracting talent nationwide. That talent is one of the region’s top resources.

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s 16th annual Fast 15 class highlights some of those leaders who are driving innovation and success in business and nonprofit sectors. From groundbreaking entrepreneurs to visionary executives, they are beginning to make a lasting impact.

In this edition, we cast a spotlight on 15 young leaders under the age of 30, each with a unique story of excellence, ambition and creativity in their respective fields. From a venture capital investor with a passion for impacting the next generation of medicine to a mechanical engineer dedicated to improving water and wastewater projects, each honoree’s journey is a testament to their relentless drive for success, making their stories all the more intriguing.

Congratulations to the 2024 class of Fast 15ers.

Meet the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s 2024 Fast 15 class

Broader DNA and genetic testing to be requested in West Memphis Three case

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Pam Hobbs had one more motherly task to perform for her 8-year-old son, Stevie Branch. He along with his two friends, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore, were murdered May 5, 1993, in West Memphis. His lifeless body was at the funeral home, but he still needed her.

He needed socks. With tears in her eyes, Pam Hobbs said she slipped them onto her only boy. At that moment, she had no clue as to who ended her son’s life.

Advanced DNA testing may finally reveal who took Stevie’s, Christopher’s and Michael’s lives.

Broader DNA and genetic testing to be requested in West Memphis Three case

Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr., were convicted of the murders of three 8-year-old boys in West Memphis in 1993.

The Supply Side: Online grocery sales expected to reach $204.61B in 2024

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

According to market research firm eMarketer, U.S. digital grocery sales will grow 11.5% to reach $204.61 billion this year. And there’s still room for growth, as digital grocery will represent just 13% of total grocery retail sales in 2024.

The eMarketer data indicated that the share of online grocery sales peaked at 18.7% of sales in 2022 amid the pandemic. Grocery e-commerce sales totaled $183.56 billion last year and comprised 15% of total sales.

Separate reports from Mercatus/Brick Meets Click indicate that during the first quarter of 2024, online grocery sales totaled $24.4 billion, down 3.55% from $25.3 billion a year ago. The March report indicated online grocery sales were flat to a year ago, but February sales were down 8% year over year, while January sales were up 1.8%.

The Supply Side: Online grocery sales expected to reach $204.61B in 2024

Canfor acquires El Dorado lumber facility for $73 million

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Canfor Corporation has entered into a purchase agreement with Resolute El Dorado Inc., an affiliate of Domtar Corporation, to acquire its El Dorado lumber manufacturing facility in Union County, Ark. The facility produces dimensional lumber and specialty wood products.

According to a company release, the transaction is a $73 million acquisition. Canfor said it plans to invest $50 million in planned upgrades. Production capacity is expected to increase to 175 million board feet per year.

“The El Dorado mill is an important part of the regional forest ecosystem. Together with Canfor’s adjacent El Dorado Laminating Plant and nearby Urbana Plant, this acquisition aligns with our growth-focused strategy in areas with access to high-quality globally competitive timber supply,” said Lee Goodloe, President of Canfor Southern Pine. “The talented team at the mill is one of the many reasons that we pursued this opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming them to the Canfor team.”

Canfor acquires El Dorado lumber facility for $73 million

Windstream, Uniti reunite in $13.4 billion merger

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Privately-held Windstream and publicly-traded Uniti Group – two Little Rock-based companies that once were a combined entity – are reuniting in a proposed $13.4 billion merger.

Uniti Group, then known as CS&L, spun off from Windstream when it was a publicly-traded company nearly a decade ago. Uniti is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns wireless towers and fiber operations, while Windstream is a telecommunications and broadband company with with heavy operations in the Midwest and Southeastern U.S. The two entities went through years of litigation over contract arrangements, a move that contributed to Windstream’s reorganization bankruptcy in the late 2010’s. Windstream is Uniti’s largest customer.

The new deal, which has been approved by both company’s board of directors, brings the companies back together. The transaction factors in about $4.4 billion in company revenues, $8 billion in corporate debt, $425 million in cash, and $575 million in preferred equity.

Windstream, Uniti reunite in $13.4 billion merger

Walmart shutters 51 health centers and ends virtual care service

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Walmart’s experiment in the muddled healthcare sector ended abruptly Tuesday (April 30) when the retailer reversed course and announced it is closing healthcare centers and ending its virtual care service.

The 51 Walmart Health centers are across five states, including two in Northwest Arkansas and one in Fort Smith. A timeline for closing was not disclosed.

Walmart launched its health centers in 2019 and said the five years brought meaningful lessons, pivoting, and trying to evolve ways to help customers better navigate primary care. However, the “challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs” made the venture unsustainable for the retail giant.

Walmart shutters 51 health centers and ends virtual care service

A Walmart Health Clinic coming to Rogers at Store No. 1 at 2110 W. Walnut Street.

Number of foreign military jets at Fort Smith could rise; basing cost up to $850 million

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The foreign military pilot training center in Fort Smith has yet to become operational or even see its first jet find a home in a hangar, but the number of planes could potentially rise, and the cost to establish the center is also up from initial estimates.

Rob Ator, a retired Air Force colonel and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission director of Military Affairs, said Monday (April 29) that efforts are underway to prepare Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith to handle 48 fighter jets instead of the original 36.

Ebbing, home to the 188th Wing in Fort Smith and co-located with the Fort Smith Regional Airport, was selected in March by the U.S. Air Force to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Finland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Specifically, Singapore is expected to base 12 F-16s at Ebbing, with slots for 24 F-35s from the participating countries.

Number of foreign military jets at Fort Smith could rise; basing cost up to $850 million

Col. Jay “Evil” Spohn, commander of the 188th Wing based at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, on Monday (April 29) addresses attendees of a Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce event.

Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame announces 8th class of inductees

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame (AWHOF) has released the names of its eighth class of inductees — seven women and one organization – that have made significant contributions to the state and their respective fields and stand as positive examples for women everywhere.

The inductees, who will be honored at a special ceremony on Thursday, August 22nd, at the Statehouse Convention Center-Wally Allen Ballroom in Little Rock, are:

Contemporary:
JoAnne Bush – JoAnne H. Bush began her public service career 51 years ago as City Clerk of her hometown, Lake Village, Arkansas. In 1991, she was sworn in as the city’s first woman mayor and began her service in that capacity to the city, Chicot County, Southeast Arkansas, and to the whole the state. She served as Mayor of Lake Village for 28 years and is one of three of the longest serving female mayors in the state of Arkansas. Her combined 46 years of public service also ranks her as one of the longest serving municipal officials in the state. Since retiring as Mayor, she continues her service and commitment to strengthening local government by serving as an Arkansas Municipal League (AML) Field Representative, covering several Delta counties and roughly 60 municipalities. In this formal role, she continues to mentor other elected officials/community leaders and ensure that the success she experienced is something others can also experience, realizing that the success of any one person contributes to the success of our state’s vitality.

Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame announces 8th class of inductees

Rob Walton to step down from Walmart board

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Rob Walton, the oldest son of Walmart founders Helen and Sam Walton, has been a fixture on Walmart’s board of directors for more than four decades. But he is not seeking re-election, according to his son-in-law, board chairman Greg Penner.

Penner made the announcement in the company’s annual proxy report filed Thursday (April 25) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Walton, 79, joined Bentonville-based Walmart Stores in 1969 and worked as the company’s corporate secretary and general counsel after working as a private attorney. Walton was board vice chairman and chairman until resigning from that post to Penner in 2015. He was involved in the process of taking Walmart public in 1970.

Rob Walton to step down from Walmart board

Rob Walton

Tyson Ventures seeks ‘Demo Day’ applicants

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Springdale-based Tyson Foods, is accepting applications for its third annual Tyson Demo Day, offering startups the chance to partner with one of the world’s largest food companies.

This year’s event focuses on food supply chain technologies. Company officials are interested in startups working in logistics software, distribution, warehousing, traceability and transparency, animal welfare, cold chain management, inventory management, forecasting and predictive analytics, supplier management and sourcing technology.

“Our vision for Tyson Demo Day 2024 is to become a significant catalyst of groundbreaking supply chain technology by bringing startups together to collaborate with Tyson Foods,” said John R. Tyson, Tyson Ventures president and chief financial officer. “Together, we can reimagine, innovate and elevate the protein supply chain across every touchpoint.”

Tyson Ventures seeks ‘Demo Day’ applicants

Hope Enterprise receives $93.67 million for solar programs in Arkansas

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Tuesday (April 23) that the Hope Enterprise Corporation will receive $93.67 million from the Solar for All grant program to fund residential solar that benefits low-income and disadvantaged communities in Arkansas.

Hope is a group of development organizations that help communities in the Delta and other economically distressed parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

The EPA award announced Tuesday is part of a $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund created under the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Joe Biden. Only 60 applicants nationwide were selected to participate in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The Hope Enterprise Corporation’s grant is among 49 state-level awards totaling $5.5 billion, along with six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million, and five multistate awards totaling $1 billion.

Hope Enterprise receives $93.67 million for solar programs in Arkansas

Image by Bill Mead

Combined pay for Walmart’s top six execs was $96.724 million last year

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

The top six executives at Walmart saw higher compensation last year of a combined $96.724 million, or $264,997 per day. Most of the compensation is deferred or in stock options and shares, but salaries and bonus pay among the top six was $12.741 million or $34,906 per day.

According to the company’s proxy statement filed Thursday (April 25) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, CEO Doug McMillon saw his annual salary increase 2.32% to $1.505 million. He also earned a cash bonus of $4.5 million, up from $3 million the prior year. When adding in deferred stock compensation and other benefits, McMillon’s total compensation rose to $29.968 million, up 6.56% from the prior year.

According to the company’s proxy, McMillon’s salary is in line with that of 26 peer companies with more than $100 billion in revenue, including Walt Disney, Target, Amazon and Home Depot.

Combined pay for Walmart’s top six execs was $96.724 million last year