LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Arkansas Business) -- Wall Street going back and forth this week, taking cues from Washington leaders negotiating what to do about the fiscal cliff.
But investors recovered after seeing several economic reports trumpeting good news, including a higher forecast of the nation's third-quarter growth, an upswing in home sales, and a drop in unemployment claims.
Here in Arkansas, a firearms company is locating its domestic operations to Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith.
Walther Arms Inc. announcing that it share a campus and business resources with Umarex USA, which will expand its manufacturing operations at Chaffee to include airgun and firearm parts.
In all, both companies plan to spend $7 million and hope to create 70 to 120 new jobs over the next five years.
Umarex makes sporting guns, like paintball and pellet guns. Walther makes real firearms, between 22 and 40 caliber. Both companies are owned by the PW Group, based in Germany.
Also yesterday, the University of Arkansas athletic department weighing an expansion of its own.
Arkansas Business reporting late yesterday that the UA is studying the feasibility of expanding Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
UA officials are looking at the potential cost of the expansion -- estimated last year at between $78 million-$95 million -- and have requested proposals from architects and contractors on the project.
After that, the athletic department will seek approval from the Board of Trustees for more analysis.
Arkansas unveiled its master plan for facilities last year, which included a 5,000-seat stadium expansion as part of several projects -- all which added up to about $320 million worth of improvements.
And some more executive moves across the state ahead of the new year.
First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc. of Harrison appointing Christopher Wewers as president of the company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Federal Bank.
Wewers has been executive vice president and COO of the company and the bank subsidiary since May 2011.
And Health Management Associates Inc. promoting Melody Trimble of Fort Smith to president of the company's Southern and Western Group, which includes 26 hospitals in seven states.
Trimble is currently vice president and market CEO of Health Management's Sparks Health System in Fort Smith.
(Source: Arkansas Business)