NEWS IN BRIEF

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Wal-Mart donation to aid growth plan

The Wal-Mart Foundation on Monday announced a $500,000 grant for the Northwest Arkansas Council to support “the advancement of healthy living and economic improvement initiatives throughout Northwest Arkansas.” The stipend is part of a three year commitment by the retailer to fund the Greater Northwest Arkansas Development Strategy, a regional growth and development plan spearheaded in 2010 by the Northwest Arkansas Council, area chambers of commerce and others.

The plan is intended to increase the availability and quality of education, job opportunities, healthful lifestyles and infrastructure improvements.

Governor’s awards honor efforts of 16

Sixteen organizations received Arkansas Governor’s Quality Awards at a ceremony Monday at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Little Rock.

Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville won top honors, receiving the Governor’s Award for Performance Excellence.

The Achievement Level Award was presented to Arkansas Department of Workforce Services in Little Rock; Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care in Little Rock; Conway Regional Health System; J.V. Manufacturing Inc. in Springdale; Professional Education Center in North Little Rock; and Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton.

Organizations receiving the Commitment Level Award were: Community Development Institute - Central in Conway; Cones Family Medicine in Little Rock; DD&F Consulting Group Inc. in Little Rock;

Mainline Health Systems Inc. in Dermott; North Arkansas College in Harrison; and Spring Creek Health and Rehabilitation in Cabot.

Organizations receiving the Challenge Level Award were: Bancorp South Insurance Services Inc. for the Arkansas region, and Beebe Retirement Center and Webster University for the Little Rock area.

Arkansas index rises before Fed decision

The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, gained 1.74 to 297.37 Tuesday.

“The major averages ended the session in positive territory as investors await word from the Fed and analysts are predicting that the central bank will reduce its current monthly bond-buying program by $10 billion at the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting [today],” said Bob Williams, senior vice president and managing director of Delta Trust Investments Inc. in Little Rock.

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 09/18/2013