News

May 6, 2013: Arkansas Capital Corporation Congratulates Charlott “Chotsie” Adney on Receiving 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration’s Arkansas Small Business Person of the Year Award

The Arkansas Capital Corporation congratulates Advanced Aesthetics of Arkansas Owner Charlott “Chotsie” Adney on receiving the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration’s Arkansas Small Business Person of the Year Award.

“We were thrilled to help bring Chotsie’s dreams to reality by helping her get the necessary capital needed to expand her state-of-the-art aesthetics business in Little Rock,” said Jay Wisener, executive vice president of Arkansas Capital Corporation. “Chotsie has a top-notch team and is dedicated to operating a first-class operation. She and her team are very deserving of the award.”

Adney is the owner of Advanced Aesthetics of Arkansas. Her company offers high-end skin care and cosmetic products and skin and laser treatments. The company’s revenue has continued to grow under Adney’s leadership. An SBA loan through Arkansas Capital Corporation helped Adney to grow her business, allowing her to offer new and innovative products to her clients.

Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is a privately held group of for-profit and non-profit corporations dedicated to improving the lives of Arkansans. ACCG and its affiliate companies empower entrepreneurs by providing capital to businesses through its capital availability programs and advocating for entrepreneurs through capital, educational and technological improvements. ACCG serves as the platform from which new opportunities are launched and today includes eight affiliates including Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC), Six Bridges Capital Corporation (6BCC), Arkansas Capital Relending Corporation (ACRC), Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), Diamond State Ventures (DSV), Heartland Renaissance Fund (HRF), Connect Arkansas, and Pine State Capital (PSC). To learn more, visit www.arcapital.com

May 1, 2013: Arkansas Capital Corporation Announces Kevin Burns Appointment to Board of Directors

The Arkansas Capital Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Burns, senior vice president and associate general counsel, Stephens Inc., to its all-volunteer board of directors.

“Kevin has worked with Arkansas Capital as an attorney for many years and always provided excellent guidance,” said C. Sam Walls, chief executive officer of Arkansas Capital Corporation. “We are thrilled he is now able to serve on our board of directors and feel he will be a great asset as we continue to grow the company.”

Prior to joining Stephens Inc., Burns was in private practice with Rose Law Firm, a professional association for more than 27 years. Burns is listed in Best Lawyers in America under Mergers & Acquisitions Law and Chambers USA Leading Lawyers in corporate/commercial, and was selected to the mid-south super lawyers list for 2012 in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, securities and corporate finance, and business/corporate. He is admitted to practice in Arkansas and Georgia.

Burns received his bachelor of industrial engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1977 and his law degree from the University of Arkansas in 1982. Prior to law school, Burns was a systems engineer with The Procter & Gamble Company. Burns also serves as the chairman of the board of directors of Volunteers Organization, Center for Arkansas Legal Services (VOCALS) and as a member of the board of directors of the Pulaski County Bar Association.

April 24, 2013: Arkansas Capital Corp. Pushing Entrepreneurship At Multiple Levels

Arkansas Capital Corp., the Little Rock-based financial lending and consulting shop, is pushing entrepreneurship at multiple levels.

This spring, the company completed its 13th annual business plan competition, the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup, which brought 47 different student teams from 13 different Arkansas college campuses to Little Rock for the well-attended awards luncheon.

This year’s competition winners at the undergraduate and graduate level will compete for more cash prizes, but they will also look to become successful start-up ventures.

“All combined, it’s one of the largest business plan competitions in the country,” said Valerie Erkman, vice-president for marketing for Arkansas Capital Corp., in an appearance on this week’s Talk Business Arkansas television program.

Click here to read the full article from Talk Business Arkansas.

April 10, 2013: 2013 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Winners Announced

Winners of the 2013 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition that is managed by The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation, an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, were announced today at a luncheon hosted at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Ark.

John Rutledge, president and chief executive officer of the Little Rock market for First Security Bank, served as the master of ceremonies for the event, which hosted approximately 800 business leaders, students, educators and supporters from across the state for the 13th annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup.

This year, 47 teams submitted business plans from 13 colleges and universities from across Arkansas for a chance to win a share of the $154,000 prize pool. First and second place winners of the undergraduate and graduate teams will compete against the top two teams from Nevada and Oklahoma for the Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Award in May, where they will be competing to win a share of the $118,000 prize pool.

The 2013 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup winners are:

Undergraduate AT&T Elevator Pitch Award - $2,000

TrustedWills.com
Ouachita Baptist University
Team member: Lindsey Fowler
Team advisor: Bryan McKinney

Graduate AT&T Elevator Pitch Award - $2,000

IsoLabs
Harding University
Team members: Jason Grace, Claire Mowrer, Connor Galloway, Michael Kruse, Gary Torres
Team advisor: William Oliver

Undergraduate Delta Plastics Innovation Award - $5,000

EverClean Coating Solutions, LLC
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Team members: Corey Thompson, Bill Ryan, Manish Phogat
Team advisor: Carol Reeves, Ph.D.

Undergraduate Arkansas Farm Bureau Agriculture Award 1st Place - $6,000

Catch-22
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Team members: James Rutherford, Ryan Guinee, Robert Grasby, Brandon Burroughs
Team advisor: Richard Crane

Undergraduate Arkansas Farm Bureau Agriculture Award 2nd Place - $4,000

Smart Soil
John Brown University
Team members: Maritta Mitchell, Stephanie Reno, Michael Shaffer, Elizabeth Varela Reyes
Team co-advisors: Eva Fast and Mike Kennelley, Ph.D.

Undergraduate Business Plan Winners
1st Place - $25,000

Catch-22
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Team members: James Rutherford, Ryan Guinee, Robert Grasby, Brandon Burroughs
Team advisor: Richard Crane

2nd Place - $15,000

eScout
Ouachita Baptist University
Team members: Connor Burke, Jason Cantwell, Sarah McKimmey
Team advisor: Phil Rice, Ph.D.

3rd Place - $10,000

Innovative Medical Sensor Tech.
Harding University
Team members: Jeremiah Vivio, Paula Morales, Cory Miller, Hayden Shirley
Team advisor: Allen Frazier, Ph.D.

Graduate Business Plan Winners
1st Place - $25,000

Picasolar
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Team members: Trish Flanagan, Matthew Young, Michael Miller, Seth Shumate
Team advisor: Carol Reeves, Ph.D.

2nd Place - $15,000

HomeDx
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Team members: Calvin Smith, Will Swearingen, Max Mahler, Daniel Cherry, Audra Mazzeo
Team advisor: Carol Reeves, Ph.D.

3rd Place - $10,000

EverClean Coating Solutions, LLC
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Team members: Corey Thompson, Bill Ryan, Manish Phogat
Team advisor: Carol Reeves, Ph.D.

Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), established in 1999, is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to education-based initiatives that promote and foster the development of innovation and entrepreneurship within Arkansas. With broad support from the state’s business community, AEAF’s purpose is to nurture people and ideas to generate future Arkansas entrepreneurs. AEAF established and now manages the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup, a collegiate business plan competition, as well as business plan competitions for grades 5-8 via the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S.) and grades 9-12 through the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase 2.0 (Y.E.S. 2.0).

April 8, 2013: Arkansas Capital’s Battle of the Brands Tournament Finalist Announcement

The Battle of the Brands tournament, hosted by The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, announced the final Arkansas-based brands that will be vying for 2013 “Emperor of Entrepreneurship” title.

The final two brands remaining are Whole Hog Cafe vs. The Twisted Purl. These brands beat out 62 other Arkansas-based brands of all sizes to make it to the finals.

“We have seen some friendly competition heat up among the various brands, and some surprising upsets,” said C. Sam Walls, chief executive officer of The Arkansas Capital Corporation. “The goal of this contest is to promote the resources entrepreneurs and small businesses can access on arksourcelink.com, as well as to showcase just a few of the fine examples of great Arkansas-based businesses. I am excited that we have met our initial goal based on the voter turn-out for each round of the competition and the huge increase in traffic to our website and our social media sites. We look forward to continuing this contest with a new batch of Arkansas-based brands next Spring.”

Voters are encouraged to visit arksourcelink.com/brands now through April 12. The winner will be announced April 15.

The results will be available at arksourcelink.com/brands; facebook.com/arksourcelink; or on Twitter @arksourcelink. Battle of the Brands is powered by U.S. SourceLink.

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is a privately held group of for-profit and non-profit corporations dedicated to improving the lives of Arkansans. ACCG and its affiliate companies empower entrepreneurs by providing capital to businesses through its capital availability programs and advocating for entrepreneurs through capital, educational and technological improvements. ACCG serves as the platform from which new opportunities are launched and today includes eight affiliates including Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC), Six Bridges Capital Corporation (6BCC), Arkansas Capital Relending Corporation (ACRC),Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), Diamond State Ventures (DSV), Heartland Renaissance Fund (HRF), Connect Arkansas, and Pine State Capital (PSC).

April 1, 2013: Arkansas Capital’s Battle of the Brands Tournament – Final 4

The Battle of the Brands tournament, hosted by The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, announced the top 4 Arkansas-based brands that will be vying for their place in the final round where the 2013 “Emperor of Entrepreneurship” will be selected.

The top 4 brands remaining include Yarnell’s Premium Ice Cream versus Whole Hog Café and The Twisted Purl versus Guillermo’s Gourmet Grounds.

Arkansas Capital introduced Battle of the Brands as a launch pad for arksourcelink.com, which is a website dedicated to providing resources to entrepreneurs, starts ups and businesses across the state.

Voters are encouraged to visit arksourcelink.com/brands during specific time windows to vote for their favorite companies and move them into the next round. The winner will be announced April 15.

Upcoming Voting Schedule:

Round 5/Top 4: March 30-April 5
Final Round/Top 2: April 6-12

Ongoing results will be available at arksourcelink.com/brands; facebook.com/arksourcelink; or on Twitter @arksourcelink. Battle of the Brands is powered by U.S. SourceLink.

March 25, 2013: Battle of the Brands Top Announces Top 8

The Battle of the Brands tournament, hosted by The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, announced the top 8 Arkansas-based brands that will be vying for their place in the top 4 and eventually in the final round where the 2013 “Emperor of Entrepreneurship” will be selected.

For each round, voters are encouraged to visit arksourcelink.com/brands during specific time windows to vote for their favorite companies and move them into the next round. The winner will be announced April 15.

Upcoming Voting Schedule:

Round 4/Top 8: March 23-29
Round 5/Top 4: March 30-April 5
Final Round/Top 2: April 6-12

Ongoing results will be available at arksourcelink.com/brands; facebook.com/arksourcelink; or on Twitter @arksourcelink. Battle of the Brands is powered by U.S. SourceLink.

Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is a privately held group of for-profit and non-profit corporations dedicated to improving the lives of Arkansans. ACCG and its affiliate companies empower entrepreneurs by providing capital to businesses through its capital availability programs and advocating for entrepreneurs through capital, educational and technological improvements. ACCG serves as the platform from which new opportunities are launched and today includes eight affiliates including Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC), Six Bridges Capital Corporation (6BCC), Arkansas Capital Relending Corporation (ACRC),Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), Diamond State Ventures (DSV), Heartland Renaissance Fund (HRF), Connect Arkansas, and Pine State Capital (PSC).

March 18, 2013: Battle of the Brands Top Announces Top 16

The Battle of the Brands tournament, hosted by The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, announced the top 16 Arkansas-based brands that will be vying for their place in the top 8 and eventually in the championship round.

Upcoming Voting Schedule:

Round 3/Top 16: March 18-22
Round 4/Top 8: March 23-29
Round 5/Top 4: March 30-April 5
Final Round/Top 2: April 6-12

Ongoing results will be available at arksourcelink.com/brands; facebook.com/arksourcelink; or on Twitter @arksourcelink. Battle of the Brands is powered by U.S. SourceLink.

March 11, 2013: Battle of the Brands Top 32 Announced

The Battle of the Brands tournament, hosted by The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, announced the top 32 Arkansas-based brands that will be vying for their place in the top 16 and eventually in the championship round. All Arkansans and fans of these brands are encouraged to support their favorite brands by voting at arksourcelink.com/brands.

The top 32 companies, which were winners from the top 64 bracket, have strong entrepreneurial roots and supportive fans who voted them to round two. For each round, voters are encouraged to visit arksourcelink.com/brands during specific time windows to vote for their favorite companies and move them into the next round. The winner will be announced April 15.

Upcoming Voting Schedule:

Round 2/Top 32: March 9-17
Round 3/Top 16: March 18-24
Round 4/Top 8: March 25-31
Round 5/Top 4: April 1-7
Final Round/Top 2: April 8-14

Ongoing results will be available at arksourcelink.com/brands; facebook.com/arksourcelink; or on Twitter @arksourcelink. Battle of the Brands is powered by U.S. SourceLink.

March 4, 2013: Arkansas Capital's Battle of the Brands Tournament Brackets Announced

The Battle of the Brands tournament, hosted by The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, today announced the top 64 Arkansas-based brands that will be vying for their place in the top 32 and eventually in the championship round. All Arkansans and fans of these brands are encouraged to support their favorite brands by voting at arksourcelink.com/brands.

The top 64 companies represent some of Arkansas’s most iconic brands and entrepreneurial upstarts and were randomly selected to fill the first tournament-style bracket. For each round, voters are encouraged to visit arksourcelink.com/brands during specific time windows to vote for their favorite companies and move them into the next round. The winner will be announced April 15.

Upcoming Voting Schedule:

Round 1/Top 64: March 2-8
Round 2/Top 32: March 9-17
Round 3/Top 16: March 18-24
Round 4/Top 8: March 25-31
Round 5/Top 4: April 1-7
Final Round/Top 2: April 8-14

“Battle of the Brands is a great way for Arkansas-based businesses to promote their products and services and a fun way to engage with their customers and fan base,” said C. Sam Walls, chief executive officer of Arkansas Capital Corporation. “Battle of the Brands celebrates and promotes entrepreneurism throughout the state and aligns with Arkansas Capital’s mission of empowering entrepreneurs.”

Ongoing results will be available at arksourcelink.com/brands; facebook.com/arksourcelink; or on Twitter @arksourcelink. Battle of the Brands is powered by U.S. SourceLink.

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is a privately held group of for-profit and non-profit corporations dedicated to improving the lives of Arkansans. ACCG and its affiliate companies empower entrepreneurs by providing capital to businesses through its capital availability programs and advocating for entrepreneurs through capital, educational and technological improvements. ACCG serves as the platform from which new opportunities are launched and today includes eight affiliates including Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC), Six Bridges Capital Corporation (6BCC), Arkansas Capital Relending Corporation (ACRC), Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), Diamond State Ventures (DSV), Heartland Renaissance Fund (HRF), Connect Arkansas, and Pine State Capital (PSC).

February 11, 2013: Arkansas Capital Announces Battle of the Brands Tournament

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group is hosting the first-ever Battle of the Brands tournament, which is designed to shine a spotlight on the legacy and future of entrepreneurship in Arkansas. Nominations for brands to be included in the top 64 bracket are being accepted through February 25, and brands can be nominated at arksourcelink.com/brands.

All registered businesses in Arkansas that meet the following criteria are eligible for inclusion in the tournament:

The business or entrepreneurial roots must be here in Arkansas
Must show evidence of growth and innovation
Business must have been in business for at least one year

Sixty-four companies representing some of the Arkansas’s most iconic brands and entrepreneurial upstarts will be randomly selected to fill the first tournament-style bracket. For each round, voters are encouraged to visit arksourcelink.com/brands during specific time windows to vote for their favorite companies and move them into the next round. The bracket of 64 will be whittled down to 1 entrepreneurial champion who can claim sole bragging rights as the “Emperor of Entrepreneurship” for Arkansas. The winner will be announced April 15.

Upcoming Voting Schedule:

Round 1/Top 64: March 2-8
Round 2/Top 32: March 9-17
Round 3/Top 16: March 18-24
Round 4/Top 8: March 25-31
Round 5/Top 4: April 1-7
Final Round/Top 2: April 8-14

“Entrepreneurialism is at the heart of what Arkansas Capital works to support every day in everything from its lending and new markets tax credit products to the annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup and Arkansas SourceLink,” said C. Sam Walls, chief executive officer of Arkansas Capital Corporation. “We are celebrating entrepreneurism in Arkansas with the Battle of the Brands tournament. The tournament is an exciting platform for Arkansas businesses to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit in a friendly competition and generate some excitement among fans of the brands that call Arkansas home.”

Ongoing results will be available at arksourcelink.com/brands; facebook.com/arksourcelink; or on Twitter @arksourcelink. Battle of the Brands is hosted by Arkansas SourceLink, which is powered by U.S. SourceLink.

Click here to download the full press release.

February 6, 2013: Arkansas Capital Celebrates Launch of Newly Designed Arkansas SourceLink Website with Elevator Pitch Contest

Elevator Pitch Competition to Award Trip to South by Southwest Conference in Austin, Tex

Arkansas SourceLink, an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, today announced the launch of its newly designed website, arksourcelink.com, geared toward helping start ups and small businesses get connected to the resources they need to be successful. To celebrate the new design and new tools, Arkansas Capital is sponsoring an online video pitch contest.

Entrepreneurs are invited to submit 60 second video elevator pitches at arksourcelink.com/sxsw. In order to participate, the company must be based in Arkansas and focus on innovation or emerging technologies. Arkansas Capital is also offering free use of its video team for interested teams. Full eligibility details and video capture availability can be found on arksourcelink.com/sxsw. The deadline to submit a pitch is Feb. 15.

Applicants submitting a 60-second video pitch will be ranked against competing submissions based on angel investor interest criteria. This may include the quality of the pitch, business viability, market opportunity, competitive advantage and management. Two employees from the winning company will receive a trip to the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Conference March 8 – 12, 2013. The prize includes an allowance for airfare, lodging, festival pass, rental car, and meals valued at $8,600.

Judges committed to the competition so far include:

Jeff Amerine, PMP – director, Technology Ventures at University of Arkansas
Jeannette Balleza – director, ARK Challenge, Winrock International
Sherry Howard – director, Arkansas Women's Business, Winrock International
Michael Singleton – innovation and market research manager, ASBTDC
C. Sam Walls – president/CEO, Arkansas Capital Corporation
Kristian Andersen – president, ka+a and founder, Gravity Ventures
Ted Dickey – advisor, Innovate Arkansas

The newly designed arksourcelink.com site includes new, easier-to-use navigation, plus government resources, free and low cost resources available through the Resource Navigator. Additionally, Mentor Connect, which pairs mentees ad mentors, and Venture Connect, which will provide a means to allow entrepreneurs to present their companies and ideas to accredited investors, are also launching soon.

Click here to download the full press release.

January 29, 2013: $1 billion steel mill announced for Mississippi County

The buzz was right. The super project is a new steel mill in Mississippi County. The state will pay $125 million of the construction cost ($50 million in a loan and the rest in a direct grant that means a greater cost because the bonds will have interest charges.) News release:

Big River Steel, LLC today announced plans to build a more than $1 billion steel mill in Mississippi County, Arkansas that will directly employ more than 500 people with annual average compensation of $75,000 a year.

The plans are contingent on approval by the legislature authorizing the state to issue $125 million in general obligation bonds under the authority of Amendment 82 and all necessary regulatory approvals. As required by the Amendment, Governor Mike Beebe will be referring the project to the legislature for its consideration.

This is the first time Amendment 82 has been triggered since its adoption during the November 2004 general election. It allows the state legislature to approve up to 5 percent of the state’s general revenue budget to be used for bonding of super economic development projects.

John Correnti is Big River Steel’s chief executive officer and heads a group of investors backing the project.

Click here to read the full story from Arkansas Times.

January 29, 2013: Almost 30 Lose Jobs at KARK, KLRT at TV Owners Consolidate

Almost 30 employees of two Little Rock television stations are being laid off this week as the stations' owners consolidate operations.

According to a KLRT insider, at least 20 employees of Fox affiliate KLRT-TV, Channel 16, were told they would no longer be needed. Another source said that as many as eight people at NBC affiliate KARK-TV, Channel 4, are losing their jobs.

At KARK, the layoffs include on-air personalities Wendy Suares, Adam Rodriguez and Jonathan Athens. At least five more off-air employees are also being laid off, the source said. And at KLRT, sports anchor David Raath and news director Ed Trauschke were among those leaving.

Mike Vaughn, general manager of the consolidated stations, would not confirm the number of layoffs, and would only confirm that Trauschke was among them. He said most of those losing their jobs will continue to work through the end of the week.

Click here for the full story.

January 24, 2013: The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group Names John Harrell Business Development Officer for Northwest Arkansas and Announces New Office Location

Organization named third largest SBA 7A lender in Northwest Arkansas

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is pleased to name John Harrell as business development officer for Northwest Arkansas. Harrell joins the company at a time that coincides with the opening of the organization’s new office location at 1005 Beau Terre Drive in Bentonville and also at the time the NWA Business Journal ranks Arkansas Capital Corp. as third largest SBA 7A loan provider in Northwest Arkansas.

“John will be focused on helping businesses expand and create jobs in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley,” said Jay Wisener, executive vice president, Arkansas Capital Corporation. “His expertise will help businesses grow through creative, often government guaranteed, lending solutions. ACCG is unique in that it works in close partnership with bankers, CPAs, attorneys and other professionals to design the most advantageous lending facility for the small business owner.”

Harrell previously served as senior vice president of commercial lending at Bank of the Ozarks in Fayetteville. He is a graduate of John Brown University and holds a master of business administration degree with an emphasis in finance from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Click here to download the full press release.

8th year of Youth Entrepreneur Showcase Business Plan Statewide Competition for fifth through eighth grade students

January 18, 2013: Youth Business Plan Competition Winners Announced

8th year of Youth Entrepreneur Showcase Business Plan Statewide Competition for fifth through eighth grade students

Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation, today announced the winners of the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S.) statewide youth business plan competition for grades five through eight. Today’s winners, announced at Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock, Ark., were selected from 25 finalist teams that were announced in December. The competition included 204 teams made up of more than 600 students across Arkansas.

Y.E.S. students from across the state work in small groups, led by their teacher advisors, to develop and market a business concept. The winners in the four competition categories are as follows

Best Business Plan

First – Magnetic Jewelry Inc., Christ the King Catholic School, Little Rock
Advisor: Marie Ryan
Students: Adeline Harton and Sarah Meeks
Second – CaraBooTique, Pinkston Middle School, Mountain Home
Advisor: Kristi Nelson
Student: Cara Conner
Third – The Ultimate Locker Shelf, Greenbrier Junior High School, Greenbrier
Advisor: Misty Burgess
Students: Brandon Casey, Ashley Page and Tanner Sublett
Fourth – Interchangeables, Christ the King Catholic School, Little Rock
Advisor: Marie Ryan
Students: Natalie Harris, Anna Kate Manchester and Blakely Duke

Best Marketing Piece

First – Cone Cookie Company, Prairie Grove Middle School, Prairie Grove
Advisor: Dustin Seaton
Students: Carter McKenzie, Kade Mitchell, Griffin Roton and Atticus Warren
Second – Interchangeables, Christ the King Catholic School, Little Rock
Advisor: Marie Ryan
Students: Natalie Harris, Anna Kate Manchester and Blakely Duke
Third – The PB&J Style Company, Christ the King Catholic School, Little Rock
Advisor: Marie Ryan
Student: Rachel Frank
Fourth – Cache River Picks, Hazen Elementary School, Hazen
Advisor: Lisa Martin
Student: Cutler Taylor

Best Retail Booth Display

First – Flower Fresh, Cutter Morning Star Elementary School, Hot Springs
Advisor: Deborah Giusti
Students: Liberty Voydetich, Grace Slick and Haley Scott
Second – the PB&J Style Company, Christ the King Catholic School, Little Rock
Advisor: Marie Ryan
Student: Rachel Frank
Third – S.L.A.K., Omaha Middle School, Omaha
Advisor: Pam Hopkins
Students: Lauren Moore, Alexas Sanders and Kaitlynn Youngblood
Fourth – Cache River Picks, Hazen Elementary School, Hazen
Advisor: Lisa Martin
Student: Cutler Taylor

Most Innovative

First – Cone Cookie Company, Prairie Grove Middle School, Prairie Grove
Advisor: Dustin Seaton
Students: Carter McKenzie, Kade Mitchell, Griffin Roton and Atticus Warren
Second – Magnetic Jewelry Inc., Christ the King Catholic School, Little Rock
Advisor: Marie Ryan
Students: Adeline Harton and Sarah Meeks
Third – CaraBooTique, Pinkston Middle School, Mountain Home
Advisor: Kristi Nelson
Student: Cara Conner
Fourth – Waki Wax, Greenbrier Junior High School, Greenbrier
Advisor: Misty Burgess
Students: Sarah Byrum, Jarrett Holloway, Miles Johnson and Alex Massey

Winning team members for first place in each category received a $100 cash prize and a medal. The teacher advisor of the first place teams took home an additional $500 and a trophy. Second, third and fourth places winners in each category also received prizes.

Team finalists and winners of the Y.E.S. business plan competition are selected by Arkansas business leaders who serve as volunteer judges.

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is a privately held group of for-profit and non-profit corporations dedicated to improving the lives of Arkansans. ACCG and its affiliate companies empower entrepreneurs by providing capital to businesses through its lending programs and advocating for entrepreneurs through capital, educational and technological improvements. ACCG serves as the platform from which new opportunities are launched and today includes eight affiliates including Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC), Six Bridges Capital Corporation (6BCC), Arkansas Capital Relending Corporation (ACRC), Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), Diamond State Ventures (DSV), Heartland Renaissance Fund (HRF), Connect Arkansas, and Pine State Capital (PSC).

Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), established in 1999, is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to education-based initiatives that promote and foster the development of innovation and entrepreneurship within Arkansas. With broad support from the state’s business community, AEAF’s purpose is to nurture people and ideas to generate future Arkansas entrepreneurs. AEAF established and now manages the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup, a collegiate business plan competition, as well as business plan competitions for grades 5-8 via the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S.) and grades 9-12 through the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase 2.0 (Y.E.S. 2.0).

December 13, 2012: Historically Low Interest Rates for SBA 504 Loans

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group today announced Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan rates are at 4.01% – the lowest 20-year, fixed-rate available since the program began in 1987.

Through the SBA 504 loan program, borrowers get low, fixed-interest rate loans with no balloon or demand feature for up to 20 years.

“The historically low SBA 504 loan rates just announced now put commercial real estate loan rates in the range of fixed-interest rates residential consumers are enjoying for home mortgages,” said Jay Wisener, executive vice president, Arkansas Capital Corporation. “The low interest rate combined with the current well-priced real estate market makes this a great time for business owners to consider purchasing commercial real estate. The SBA 504 can also be used to purchase machinery and equipment.”

Industries and businesses that can benefit from the loan program include professionals, healthcare, manufacturing, service, and retail, as well as restaurants and hotels. Arkansas Capital Corporation is a SBA Preferred and USDA Lender, and Six Bridges Capital Corporation is a certified SBA 504 lender.

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is a privately held group of for-profit and non-profit corporations dedicated to improving the lives of Arkansans. ACCG and its affiliate companies empower entrepreneurs by providing capital to businesses through its capital availability programs and advocating for entrepreneurs through capital, educational and technological improvements. ACCG serves as the platform from which new opportunities are launched and today includes eight affiliates including Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC), Six Bridges Capital Corporation (6BCC), Arkansas Capital Relending Corporation (ACRC), Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), Diamond State Ventures (DSV), Heartland Renaissance Fund (HRF), Connect Arkansas, and Pine State Capital (PSC).

Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC), established in 1957, is the flagship company of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group. ACC is a private, non-profit lending corporation dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs in Arkansas through partnerships with the lending community. ACC, in partnership with financial institutions, provides permanent, long-term financing for business startups, expansions and acquisitions. Risk mitigation for both businesses and financial partners is at the foundation of ACC’s existence and success.

Six Bridges Capital Corporation (6BCC), established in 1989, is a private, non-profit, lending corporation specializing in financing for small business-occupied commercial real estate and equipment. As an economic development tool, the SBA 504 loan program through 6BCC provides long-term, permanent, fixed-rate financing to new and expanding businesses that have the highest probability of successfully creating new jobs for the state of Arkansas. The program, often referred to as “small business’ window to Wall Street,” is typically structured with a 10 percent borrower investment, a 40 percent subordinate SBA 504 loan and a 50 percent loan from a financial institution.

September 10, 2012: C. Sam Walls Opens First Broadband Plan Meeting

C. Sam Walls, President of Connect Arkansas, gave the opening address at the first meeting to discuss the Arkansas Broadband Plan. Read his remarks here.

July 25, 2012: Connect Arkansas now accepting Requests for Proposals

Connect Arkansas, an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, seeks proposals from qualified agencies to design, structure and host a new website. The agency selected will be responsible for developing a leading edge, state-of-the-art website that provides the required functionality listed within this document and integrates fully with Arkansas SourceLink. For more information on responding to the Request for Proposals, please download the full RFP.

April 11, 2012: Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup Winners Announced

The winners of the 2012 Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup Competition were announced today during the annual awards luncheon. These teams completed an intense competition process over the past few months, and the hard work paid off today with $272,000 given away in cash prizes. View the press release below.

DWRGC Press Release

February 23, 2012: Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $60 million in New Market Tax Credit Allocation

The Department of Treasury has just announced that Heartland Renaissance Fund has been selected by the CDFI Fund to receive an allocation of $60 million New Market Tax Credits. This will be Heartland’s fourth NMTC allocation bringing its total NMTC allocations to $200 million. View the press release here.

February 9, 2012: Fayetteville schools feature YES participants

"Several Holt Middle School 7th grade students had the chance to turn their ideas for starting a business into reality when they were selected to sell their products at an Expo in Little Rock by the Y.E.S. for Arkansas Empowering Entrepreneurs program.
The selected groups' products were: Shnibiti Bags, collapsible shopping bags; and Smart Pillows, pillows with a pocket for carrying a book or phone along on a car trip or a park visit.
Shnibiti Bag group member Kiara Nauden said, 'My favorite thing about the Expo was getting to see all the other products. All of them were really cool. Chief amongst my favorites was the edible play-dough.'
The Y.E.S. program was developed for 5th - 8th graders by the Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation as a way to get students excited about the business world."

For pictures of Fayetteville YES participants and pictures, keep reading...

January 20, 2012: Youth Entrepreneur Showcase announces winners at Expo

Y.E.S. for Arkansas, a statewide business plan competition for fifth to eight graders, announced the winning teams today following Expo Day at Park Plaza Mall. Twenty-six finalist teams were previously selected as those with the Best Business Plans and Most Innovative Ideas. Today they competed for Best Retail Booth and Marketing Awards in the 7th annual event. The teams were selected in December from a field of 275 teams made up of nearly 1,000 students from across Arkansas. All of the teams created a business plan for a new concept so they could compete for an opportunity to turn their ideas into reality.

Winners in the four categories are:

Best Business Plan

1st Place – K.C.Creations -- Pinkston Middle School. (Mountain Home).
Team Members: Kaci Yancey, Cara Conner. Teacher Advisor: Kristi Nelson.

K. C. Creations’ was started to give girls a cute, handy place to put small items. “Our rings are also made out of plastic bottles, so when they wear our ring, they’ll be recycling,” the owners noted.

2nd Place -- Fun Fit. Omaha Middle School (Omaha).
Team Members: Jaki Chalk, Madison Dillon, Daniel Forshee, Riley Keafer, Garrett Matlock. Teacher Advisor: Pam Hopkins.

The Fun Fit Company has developed a 20-minute fun, interesting, and effective exercise program created for kids by kids. Team members are Jaki Chalk, Madison Dillon, Daniel Forshee, Riley Keafer and Garrett Matlock. According to the team’s business plan, Fun Fit features interval training which includes 10 seconds of hard-core intervals (FUN BURSTS), followed by 20 seconds of lighter activity.

“The cutting edge research and science of interval training maximizes the exercise, giving you the benefit of a 40 minute workout in only 20 minutes,” Fun Fit members said. “No materials or extra space is needed, so Fun Fit can be used almost anywhere by anyone!”

3rd Place -- Smart Pillow Holt Middle School (Fayetteville).
Team Members: Sean Finn, Jacob Roman, Alexandria McMullen, Tyler Taylor. Teacher Advisor: Liz Bland

According to the team, Smart Pillows are a great and comfortable way to keep your books with you, even when you are asleep.“Our product is made of a pillow case with a pouch inside it so you can put your books in,” the team said. “It comes in most sizes, though colors may vary. The pillows are easy to carry around but are still very comfortable.”

4th Place -- In Tone Records. Prairie Grove Middle School (Prairie Grove)
Team Members: Roy McKenzie, Zeke Laird, Avery Roton. Teacher Advisor: Dustin Seaton

In Tone Records was founded in November of 2011 by three determined young men who were furious at how much of today’s music was produced and unartistic, so they decided to start a company to change that.

Most Innovative Idea

1st Place -- K.C.Creations -- Pinkston Middle School. (Mountain Home).
Team Members: Kaci Yancey, Cara Conner. Teacher Advisor: Kristi Nelson.

2nd Place -- Smart Pillow Holt Middle School (Fayetteville).
Team Members: Sean Finn, Jacob Roman, Alexandria McMullen, Tyler Taylor. Teacher Advisor: Liz Bland

3rd Place -- Fun Fit. Omaha Middle School (Omaha).
Team Members: Jaki Chalk, Madison Dillon, Daniel Forshee, Riley Keafer, Garrett Matlock. Teacher Advisor: Pam Hopkins.

4th Place -- In Tone Records. Prairie Grove Middle School (Prairie Grove)
Team Members: Roy McKenzie, Zeke Laird, Avery Roton. Teacher Advisor: Dustin Seaton

Best Marketing Piece

1st Place (Tie) -- BMK2. Washington Middle School (El Dorado).Team Members: Katelynn Mangrum, Brooklyn Price, Morgan Moore, Kaylee Hickerson, Teacher Advisor: Katie King; and Santa's Super Store, Omaha Middle School (Omaha), Team Members: Remington Edwards, Aidan Kimberlin, Lauren Moore, Alexas Sanders, Trey Stone, Teacher Advisor: Pam Hopkins.

BMK2’s product is an innovative Water Bottle Buddy that comes in a variety of colors. The team proudly states that the Water Bottle Buddy, “will last throughout the year, and longer, plus it is very fashionable. It is made from duct tape, recycled kite string, and metal binder ring. It adjusts to the size of any water bottle, so everybody can use it.”

Additionally, BMK2 said that the Water Bottle Buddy is “very fashionable for boys and girls, and they are colored creatively. A water bottle buddy is portable and you can clip it on and off things.”

Santa’s Super Store is a service company at their school that for a week in December will feature a variety of items for students to buy for family and friends without them knowing.

“The items we are selling include: chocolate hand dipped morsels and a variety of flavored chocolate covered spoons; hot chocolates, coffees, and teas; scarves, hats, and shawls; an assortment of mugs and cups; a variety of Christmas games; and a selection of jewelry,” they said.

2nd Place -- Southern Lanyards. Hazen Elementary School. (Hazen).
Team Members: Haden Weems, Grant Schelman, Trevor Duck, Teacher Advisor: Lisa Martin.

Southern Lanyards is a company that makes natural leather lanyards. “Our product is made from raw cow hide,” the team noted. “Southern Lanyards are special because they are hand-made, and we have invested a lot of time in our braids to make them perfect for the hunting community.”

3rd Place -- Colorful Crayons. Fountain Lake Middle School (Hot Springs).
Team Members: Ethan Westerman, Brock Rigsby, Jessa Goodeaux, Scout Martin, Stephen Turner. Teacher Advisor: Kathy Darin.

Colorful Crayons’ products are fun, big, cheaper, colorful crayons that anyone can use.“Our product is made with broken and unwanted crayons,” the team noted. “Each crayon will be about the size of big candies, and some will even be multi-colored because we choose to hand prepare each batch to have a better product. And, each crayon is bargain priced at only $.50 a piece.”

Best Retail Booth

1st Place - Southern Lanyards. Hazen Elementary School. (Hazen).
Team Members: Haden Weems, Grant Schelman, Trevor Duck Teacher Advisor: Lisa Martin

2nd Place -- Fun Fit. Omaha Middle School (Omaha).
Team Members: Jaki Chalk, Madison Dillon, Daniel Forshee, Riley Keafer, Garrett Matlock. Teacher Advisor: Pam Hopkins.

3rd Place -- BMK2. Washington Middle School (El Dorado).
Team Members: Katelynn Mangrum, Brooklyn Price, Morgan Moore, Kaylee Hickerson, Teacher Advisor: Katie King.

4th Place -- Manly Mouthpiece Flavoring Kits. Springhill Elementary (Bryant).
Team Members: Mitchell Jones. Teacher Advisor: Lisa Alexander.

A kit that allows mouthpieces to be infused with flavor in a fun way. “Each kit will contain two flavors, an instruction card and will be presented in a clear plastic bag,” Creator Mitchell Jones said. “There will be a full color label on the outside of bag. The bags will be hole-punched so stores can easily hang them on pegs next to the mouthpieces that they sell.”

This year’s Y.E.S. for Arkansas finalists also included:

Bottle Babes, Inc. West Fork Middle School (West Fork) - Team Members: Haley Harrison, Victoria Lawson, Spencer Sagely, Leah Farmer, Nicole Crowder. Teacher Advisor: Teresa Walker.

Cuddle Coverz. Beebe Middle School (Beebe) - Team Members: Erin McNully, Gabriela Mendez, Haleigh Figley. Teacher Advisor: Lydia Brumfield

Eco-Wrap Scarves. Helen Tyson Middle School (Springdale) - Team Member: Sally Roach Teacher Advisor: Jenny Jones.

Flower Originals. Cotter School (Cotter) - Team Members: Karissa Adams, Emily Krause, Madeline Hall, Emily Sublett, Amanda Vance. Teacher Advisor: Monica Springfield.

Food for Fun. Christ the King Catholic School (Little Rock) - Team Members: Will McConnell, Gus Shenker Teacher Advisor: Marie Ryan.

iSafety. Williams Traditional Magnet School. (Little Rock) - Team Members: Robyn Gordon, Ivory Daniels, Mackenzie Sims, Nathaniel Womack. Teacher Advisor: Faye Hanson.

K.C. Creations Laika. Williams Traditional Magnet School (Little Rock) - Team Members: Annabel Copeland, Sana Mhapsekar, Meghana Bollimpalli, Jan Paneda. Teacher Advisor: Faye Hanson.

Locker Décor. Beebe Middle School (Beebe) - Team Members: Halle Thompson. Teacher Advisor: Lydia Brumfield.

Neat Kids. Williams Traditional Magnet School. (Little Rock) - Team Members: Patrick Martin, Spencer Kimble, Jordan Lee, Jadon Whittington Teacher Advisor: Faye Hanson.

Play Doh Pals. Cotter School. (Cotter) - Team Members: Kaycie Beard, Marleigh Dodson, Dalton Orsborn. Teacher Advisor: Monica Springfield.

Schnibiti Bags. Holt Middle School. (Fayetteville) - Team Members: Ashley Strode, Emmie Nichols, Kiara Naden, Stephanie Bailtie, Madelyn Scott. Teacher Advisor: Liz Bland

Smelly Sacks. Hazen Elementary School. (Hazen) - Team Members: Jackson Schelman, Kayla Gladsish, Ross Harper, Drake Jones, Kade Perry. Teacher Advisor: Lisa Martin

Sock Clips. Williams Traditional Magnet School (Little Rock) - Team Members: Robert Brevard, Sam Sellers, Donte Slater, Thomas Franks. Teacher Advisor: Faye Hanson

Sticky Situation. Siloam Springs Middle School. (Siloam Springs) - Team Members: John Lavey, Trent Lyon, Hayden Smith. Teacher Advisor: Janis Gregory

Stink Lock. eStem Middle School. (Little Rock) - Team Members: Duncan Ragsdell, Joel Haynes Teacher Advisor: Charlie Kinser

Super Swivels. Bald Knob Middle School. (Bald Knob) - Team Members: Phillip Freppon, Bryden Roberts, Avery Strickland, Kynlee Brimer, Taylor Roetzel, Lauryn Allgood Teacher Advisor: Debbie Roberts

Vine Craft. Christ the King School. (Little Rock) - Team Members: Ethan Beall Teacher Advisor: Marie Ryan

For today’s second round of the competition, the top 26 teams were tasked with creating a comprehensive marketing piece and display booth to showcase their product or service. Winning team members for 1st place teams, in each category, received a $100 cash prize. The teachers of the 1st place teams took home an additional $500. Trophies were awarded for all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category, with several teams winning in more than one category.

Arkansas’s Youth Entrepreneur Showcase Business Plan Competition was initiated in 2005 for middle school students. It is sponsored by the Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), an affiliate of the Arkansas Capital Corporation. Annually, over 50 Arkansas business leaders serve as volunteer judges to assist in the selection of the qualifying team finalists and winning teams.

John Brown University Sweeps Tri-State Undergraduate Finals
May 25, 2011

LAS VEGAS (May 25, 2011) – John Brown University swept the Undergraduate Finals in the fourth-annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup Tri-State business plan competition in Las Vegas, and a team from the University of Arkansas earned Second Place in Graduate Finals.

The Arkansas teams were awarded First and Second Places in Undergraduate Finals and Second Place in Graduate Finals, which included cash prizes that can be used as funds to start their businesses. Faculty advisers also received cash awards of $2,500.

Top honors at Tri-State went to:
Graduate Division
CerebroGen Pharmaceuticals - University of Oklahoma - First Place, $25,000
cycleWood Solutions, LLC - University of Arkansas - Second Place, $15,000

Undergraduate Division
Craftistas - John Brown University - First Place, $25,000
Agricultural Food Systems - John Brown University - Second Place, $15,000

The Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup is a statewide business plan competition in Arkansas, Nevada and Oklahoma for undergraduate and graduate students that encourages competitors to put their entrepreneurial ideas through the rigors of planning and take them forward into start-up firms.

The Tri-State Award is given to the teams from these states that successfully compete against each other for additional cash prizes. This year's contest was held at Red Rock Casino & Resort in Las Vegas.

Other teams from Arkansas competing in the Tri-State competition included:
TiFiber, LLC from the University of Arkansas.

The 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Awards and the Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup in Arkansas, Nevada and Oklahoma have been made possible by a grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, which is the sole sponsor for the 2011 Tri-State Awards. In Arkansas, the Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation oversees the statewide competition. The AEAF is an affiliate of the Arkansas Capital Corporation.

Arkansas making advances in broadband adoption, according to Connect Arkansas survey
March 21, 2011

Twenty-four percent of Arkansans have subscribed to high-speed internet in the last year, and 92% of Arkansans feel that the internet is a valuable source for information and learning, according to the most recent Connect Arkansas survey findings released Friday.

“Truly remarkable advancements in the value of the Internet for education, opportunity for success and life-changing capabilities are becoming available on a daily basis,” Connect Arkansas President C. Sam Walls said. “Especially for our children, for the first time in human history, they have the world at their fingertips.”

Connect Arkansas Survey Results

AEAF announces advancing teams for 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup competition
March 4, 2011

The best business plans from college and university teams statewide were recently selected to compete in the next round of the state’s premier business plan competition.

Teams from nine Arkansas colleges and universities were announced as finalists in the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Graduate and Undergraduate Business Plan Competition today, in the eleventh annual contest. Twelve undergraduate and six graduate teams will advance to the next level.

In the next round, the 12 advancing semi-finalist undergraduate teams will make a 20-minute presentation after which they will answer questions from judges for 15 minutes. Two judge’s panels will determine the six finalist undergraduate teams.

The six undergraduate finalist teams, along with the six graduate teams, will compete in the last round of oral presentations for first-, second- and third-place prizes April 7 and April 8 at The Peabody Hotel in Little Rock.

Download the full Governor's Cup press release for more details

AEAF/Y.E.S. Featured in January Edition of Little Rock Family
January 4, 2010

Little Rock Family magazine features the AEAF's Youth Entrepreneur Showcase in their January issue. Grab a copy of the print edition on newsstands around Little Rock or check it out online: "Young Entrepreneurs Prepare to Showcase Ideas on Jan. 14"

Dillard's to Establish Internet Center in Maumelle
December 22, 2010

MAUMELLE, Arkansas (December 22, 2010) - Little Rock-based Dillard's, Inc. today announced it will locate an Internet fulfillment center in Maumelle, Arkansas to support the continuing growth of its online store at www.dillards.com. The Company has signed an agreement to purchase the former Target distribution facility and will create over 300 new jobs in the Central Arkansas area.

Continue reading "Dillard's to Establish Internet Fulfillment Center in Maumelle"

Year-End Message from CEO C. Sam Walls
December 20, 2010

There hasn’t been much said about it, but we are rapidly approaching the end of the first decade of this century. Looking back, I believe it has been a good time for our organization as we have significantly improved the level of contribution we make to the economic development of Arkansas. Though it has been a period of constant change for us, these have proven to be good changes with tangible results.

In January, we will pass the billion dollar mark in the amount of capital our organization has participated in providing to Arkansas companies. In the twelve months after that, we are on track to increase that amount over ten percent.

In 1990, no one knew that all but $44 million of that would occur in the following 20 years.

In the mid 90s, this organization began discussions regarding increased involvement in getting recognition for the importance of entrepreneurship to our economy at a time when it was not on the radar screen. It was a fairly easy interest to cultivate because WE are an entrepreneurial enterprise.

With that entrepreneurial culture, we have been willing to take risks associated with being out front and serving as a change agent and catalyst. The formation of Diamond State Ventures opened the door to elevate venture capital as a principal area of interest if we are to develop Arkansas companies.

When the ACC Board of Directors authorized me 11 years ago to establish a collegiate business plan competition to spur entrepreneurialism, no one knew that in ten years it would become one of the leading events of its type in America and, among other achievements, produce competition winners from Arkansas who would ring the bell this past summer at the NASDAQ.

No one knew in the first half of the decade that the Board’s authorization to pursue the competitively awarded federal tax credits would result in $140 million dollars of incentives for investment in Arkansas companies.

And no one knew it at the time that the Board’s approval to accept the request from Governor Mike Beebe and the Arkansas Legislature to lead the effort to engage Arkansans in the availability and utilization of the Internet – the most transformational technology since the advent of electricity – that we were engaging in an effort with the potential to move our state’s rankings from near the bottom to the middle of the pack within a single generation.

Now, we and our nation find ourselves in quite a different situation than that of the last decade.

Some would say this is a most challenging situation we find ourselves in. I say the art of management is finding the way to achieve results within the environment in which we find ourselves.

The ACC organization has proven itself adept at meeting this constant test and with the quality of its people; it will continue to do so. It requires us to always be mindful of the constant of change, to embrace it and to remain highly focused on operational excellence that is second to none. There is no doubt the coming decade will be one of excitement and opportunity in which ACC will play a role.

There will be other faces at this table in the coming years. We envy the opportunities that lie before them.

Sincerely,
C. Sam Walls
Chief Executive Officer
Arkansas Capital Corporation

News

May 6, 2013: Arkansas Capital Corporation Congratulates Charlott “Chotsie” Adney on Receiving 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration’s Arkansas Small Business Person of the Year Award

May 1, 2013: Arkansas Capital Corporation Announces Kevin Burns Appointment to Board of Directors

April 24, 2013: Arkansas Capital Corp. Pushing Entrepreneurship At Multiple Levels

April 10, 2013: 2013 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Winners Announced

April 8, 2013: Arkansas Capital’s Battle of the Brands Tournament Finalist Announcement

April 1, 2013: Arkansas Capital’s Battle of the Brands Tournament – Final 4

March 25, 2013: Battle of the Brands Top Announces Top 8

March 18, 2013: Battle of the Brands Top Announces Top 16

March 11, 2013: Battle of the Brands Top 32 Announced

March 4, 2013: Arkansas Capital's Battle of the Brands Tournament Brackets Announced

February 11, 2013: Arkansas Capital Announces Battle of the Brands Tournament

February 6, 2013: Arkansas Capital Celebrates Launch of Newly Designed Arkansas SourceLink Website with Elevator Pitch Contest

January 29, 2013: $1 billion steel mill announced for Mississippi County

January 29, 2013: Almost 30 Lose Jobs at KARK, KLRT at TV Owners Consolidate

January 24, 2013: The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group Names John Harrell Business Development Officer for Northwest Arkansas and Announces New Office Location

January 18, 2013: Youth Business Plan Competition Winners Announced

December 13, 2012: Historically Low Interest Rates for SBA 504 Loans

September 10, 2012: C. Sam Walls Opens First Broadband Plan Meeting

July 25, 2012: Connect Arkansas now accepting Requests for Proposals

April 11, 2012: Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup Winners Announced

February 23, 2012: Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $60 million in New Market Tax Credit Allocation

February 9, 2012: Fayetteville schools feature YES participants

January 20, 2012: Youth Entrepreneur Showcase announces winners at Expo

John Brown University Sweeps Tri-State Undergraduate FinalsMay 25, 2011

Arkansas making advances in broadband adoption, according to Connect Arkansas surveyMarch 21, 2011

AEAF announces advancing teams for 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup competitionMarch 4, 2011

AEAF/Y.E.S. Featured in January Edition of Little Rock FamilyJanuary 4, 2010

Dillard's to Establish Internet Center in MaumelleDecember 22, 2010

Year-End Message from CEO C. Sam WallsDecember 20, 2010

John Brown University Sweeps Tri-State Undergraduate Finals
May 25, 2011

Arkansas making advances in broadband adoption, according to Connect Arkansas survey
March 21, 2011

AEAF announces advancing teams for 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup competition
March 4, 2011

AEAF/Y.E.S. Featured in January Edition of Little Rock Family
January 4, 2010

Dillard's to Establish Internet Center in Maumelle
December 22, 2010

Year-End Message from CEO C. Sam Walls
December 20, 2010