Unemployment rate sinks to 3.1% in state
Arkansas' unemployment rate continued to fall in December, ending 2021 at a record low of 3.1%. Arkansas' civilian labor force shrank by 1,098, with 3,750 fewer Arkansans unemployed and 2,652…
Truck drivers remain in high demand as holidays approach, Arkansas experts say
We've seen shortages for everything throughout the pandemic, from toilet paper to chicken wings. Now, there's another shortage that has persisted even before the pandemic – truck drivers. "The trucking…
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Arkansas stores see toy shortage as parents begin Christmas shopping
The pandemic has been no stranger to shortages and parents might want to get a head start on purchasing gifts this year because of the most recent one: a shortage…
U.S. Hiring Slowed to 235K jobs in August
America’s employers added just 235,000 jobs in August, a surprisingly weak gain after two months of robust hiring at a time when the delta variant’s spread has discouraged some people…
Tourism, economic development leaders partner to recruit return to Arkansas
While COVID-19 has impacted tourism and travel as well as business expansion, Arkansas is pushing forward to remain open and ready for business. Tourism and economic officials in Arkansas have…
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State jobless rate 4.3%, but good help hard to find
Business owners and economic development officials remain concerned that the state's shrinking labor force is sapping business growth and recruitment efforts. Friday's announcement is a sign that joblessness in the…
Abstract background for COVID-19 outbreak crisis to collapse the global economy. COVID-19 Virus pendulum swinging to dollar coin on beige background. 3d rendering illustration.
Americans Spent Less in July as COVID-19 Cases Surged
Americans cut back on their spending last month as a surge in COVID-19 cases kept people away from stores. According to Tuesday's report, spending fell at stores that sell clothing,…
Food prices continue to increase as pandemic impacts supply and demand
Economists say the rate of inflation on groceries is five percent. That’s higher than it’s been in 13 years. A local mother of six states that her family grocery bill…
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U.S. Job Openings Rise to Record High, Layoffs Hit Record Low
U.S. employers posted a record-high number of open jobs for the second straight month as a rapidly rebounding economy generates intense demand for workers. The number of available jobs on…
Paycheck Protection Program deemed a success in region
The Federal Reserve Bank says the recently ended Paycheck Protection Program was widely successful in helping small businesses despite a slow start and criticisms about how the program initially handed…
U.S. Home Contract Signings See Big Rebound in May
American homebuyers have had a surprising rebound in home signings in May after months of a lacking inventory pushing prices up. The National Association of Realtors’ index of pending home…
Consumer Confidence Up in June, Highest Level Since Pandemic
US. consumer confidence rose again for the fifth consecutive month in June. This puts at the highest levels seen since the start of the pandemic and comes as a sign…
More restaurants have their Restaurant Revitalization Fund awards rescinded
Another group of restaurant owners were informed this week that their Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) award grants were rescinded amid court judgments that found that the way the U.S. Small…
Typical american now hiring sign in black letters over the white background with local small business building
More Arkansans Are Seeking Jobs Before Latest Benefits Cuts
Original article from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette here. In May, Gov. Asa Hutchins announced Arkansas will stop offering federal dollars as unemployment benefits and will begin pushing that money back…
U.S. New Home Sales Drop 5.9% in May, Second Monthly Decline
The sale of new homes fell in May by 5.9%, larger than economists anticipated. The median price of a new home sold in May rose to $374,400, up 18.1% from…
FAA Says U.S. Airports Will Get $8B in Pandemic Relief
The Federal Aviation Administration will be issuing $8 billion in federal grants to airports to aid in recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Most of this money is to go to…
Another jump in prices tightens the squeeze on US consumers
Original Article from APNews.com here. The May rise in consumer prices that the Labor Department reported Thursday reflected a range of goods and services now in growing demand as people…
U.S. Retail Sales Rose 0.6% in June
Americans spent more last month on clothing, electronics and dining out as the economy opened up and pandemic-related restrictions were lifted. Retail sales rose a seasonal adjusted 0.6% in June…
Arkansas Unemployment Rate Unchanged for 3rd Month
Arkansas' unemployment rate remained unchanged for the third month in a row, at 4.4% from May to June, according to a report released Friday by the state Division of Workforce Services. The…
Arkansas unemployment stays at 4.4% for May
The state’s unemployment rates stay below the national rate of 5.8% in May. This comes as an improvement from Arkansas’s rate last year of 8.5% at the beginning of the…