AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Work Requirement: Arkansas begins a “soft launch” of its Medicaid welfare-to-work rules July 1, with full enforcement Jan. 1, 2027, requiring many adults to work, volunteer or go to school 80 hours a month. SNAP Restrictions: Arkansas moves ahead with a pilot that restricts SNAP purchases of candy and soda starting July 1, despite court fights over waivers. Budget Watch: Arkansas ends fiscal year 2026 with a $655 million revenue surplus, adding to a busy stretch of state finance updates. Energy & Travel: AAA says gas prices are easing ahead of the July 4 weekend, with the national average down sharply from a month ago. Food Safety: The Arkansas Department of Health posts recent retail food inspection findings, including temperature-control and labeling issues at a Grider Field restaurant. Local Business/Community: Buc-ee’s sets its Arkansas opening in Benton for Aug. 17, and the Arkansas Trucking Association names state champions headed to nationals. UAPB Research: UAPB graduate students earn top honors at the AR-BIC conference for AI-driven aquaculture and fish disease management.

State Budget & Tax Policy: Arkansas closed FY2026 with a $655 million general revenue surplus, the fifth-largest in state history, lifting reserves to about $4 billion and renewing Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ push to phase out the state income tax. Government Transparency: Sanders also launched the Arkansas Forward Dashboard, a public site tracking agency cost-cutting and efficiency projects, with officials citing $118 million in savings and cost avoidance since 2024. Banking Leadership: Stone Bank named Edgar Escobar vice president for SBA/USDA government-guaranteed lending, while Farmers & Merchants Bank appointed Brent Morgan regional president for Central Arkansas. Economic Development: Arkansas Economic Development Commission opened nominations for Opportunity Zones, aiming to spur private investment in distressed census tracts using federal tax incentives. Local Business & Community Impact: Buc-ee’s set an Aug. 17 grand opening for its first Arkansas store in Benton, and a Fourth of July fireworks show in Eden’s Bluff was canceled after the contractor filed for Chapter 11. Public Safety & Utilities: A transformer explosion at a Jonesboro substation briefly knocked out power for about 1,200 customers, and state police charged an Ouachita County deputy chief collector with stealing $3,533.

Banking Restructuring: Great Southern Bank confirmed it will abruptly close three branches in Missouri on Oct. 1 as part of a broader restructuring, with locations in Springfield, Ozark and Nixa. Energy & Consumer Costs: AAA says national gas prices are easing again, with the average down to about $3.91 a gallon and demand expected to rise for the July 4 drive. Local Business & Growth: Tyson Foods is rolling out a new Hillshire Reserve premium lunch meat line nationwide, leaning into “simpler ingredients” and hardwood-smoked varieties. Arkansas Economy Watch: A new report says Arkansas hospitals generated about $19.73 billion in economic impact for the state. Food & Community: Uncle Johnnie’s BBQ is opening a permanent spot in central Arkansas after its mobile operation and a fire incident. State Policy & Health: Medicaid will again cover non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood as a GOP ban ends, shifting decisions back to states. Tech/Infrastructure: ARDOT launched a new online fuel transport permit system to replace paper processing for more than 106,000 permits in 2025. Mining: Pantera Minerals released more assay results from its Gillham Project near De Queen, highlighting antimony and silver targets for future drilling.

Local Government Finance: North Little Rock taxpayers were hit with about $500,000 in off-duty police overtime costs in 2025, after an audit found timekeeping and GPS data that appeared inconsistent, including claims of officers working when they weren’t. Higher Education Leadership: University of Tulsa named Karen Leeds as its next president, signaling new partnership talks with Tulsa schools, colleges, the chamber and area tribes. Student Debt Policy: The federal SAVE student loan plan is ending for more than 7 million borrowers; they must pick new repayment options by Sept. 29 or be moved to standard repayment. Healthcare & Economy: Arkansas hospitals generated $19.73 billion in annual economic output, according to a new Arkansas Hospital Association impact report. Business & Infrastructure: Little Rock is set to consider a moratorium on new large-scale “hyperscale” data center approvals until Jan. 1, 2027. Workforce & AI: A major AI workforce initiative, RAISE US, plans to launch training efforts in Arkansas as big tech backs a $1 billion push to help workers adapt. Public Safety: White County authorities found human remains during a search for a missing man, with identification and autopsy set for the state crime lab.

Banking & Deals: FNBC Bank of Ash Flat will acquire Riverwind Bank of Augusta in a merger that would grow FNBC’s assets to about $1 billion, expanding the bank’s footprint into central Arkansas; the deal is pending regulators and expected to close before year-end. Retail & Consumer Policy: Arkansas rolled out the AR SNAP Companion app as soda, candy and certain sugary drinks are barred from SNAP purchases starting July 1, with shoppers able to scan items for eligibility and get alternatives. Agriculture: USDA’s acreage report shows Arkansas rice acres falling to about 851,000—lowest in 50 years—as drought and input costs pushed farmers toward other crops. IP & Manufacturing: AON Invent says the USPTO issued a utility patent for its P-CORE process to turn mixed, unsorted plastic waste into durable products, opening licensing opportunities. Local Economy & Community: Saline County Democrats plan a town hall for U.S. Senate candidate Hallie Shoffner, while the Saline County Striders donated $7,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs. Defense & Industry: A U.S. State Department approval would allow Singapore to buy additional AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, with warhead work tied to General Dynamics-OTS in Camden, Arkansas.

Medicaid & Work Requirements: Arkansas will begin a “soft launch” of ARHOME Medicaid work rules Wednesday, with no penalties during July–year end while DHS tests systems and notifies recipients; full enforcement starts Jan. 1, 2027, with a 30-day compliance window. SNAP Restrictions: Arkansas also rolls out a new SNAP junk-food ban and a companion mobile app that scans items to flag what’s ineligible, as retailers prepare for the July 1 start. State Policy & Legal Pressure: Twenty-five Democratic-led states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements, challenging a “medically frail” exemption they say is too narrow. Business & Finance: Westrock Coffee extended the maturity of about $361 million of credit facilities to Nov. 29, 2028, adding Texas Capital Bank as a lender. Healthcare Deals: Baptist Health signed a letter of intent to have Community Clinic operate Baptist clinics in Alma, Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren, pending approvals. Energy & Transportation: ARDOT launches a new digital fuel transport permit system to replace paper processing, and SWEPCO started a Texas Energy Fund grid enhancement project in Marshall. Local Economy & Jobs: Great Southern Bank will close three Ozarks branches Oct. 1. Education & Workforce: JBU received Walton Family Foundation support for computer science access and Summer Academy expansion.

Higher Ed Leadership: The University of Arkansas named Robert “Bob” Beitle Jr. interim head of its chemical engineering department starting July 1, as Keisha Walters returns to faculty after leading since 2021. Healthcare Exec Move: Conway Regional Health System tapped Angie Longing as president and CEO, effective July 20, following Matt Troup’s exit after nearly 11 years. Local Business/Finance: Inuvo of Little Rock announced $12.97 million in financing, using proceeds to retire convertible debt and reset its capital structure for working capital. Medicare Contract: Novitas Solutions won CMS’s Jurisdiction H Medicare Administrative Contractor contract covering seven states, extending its role that began in 2012. Defense & Critical Minerals: The U.S. Army awarded deals to build and run critical-mineral processing on military sites, including Pine Bluff Arsenal for graphite-related work. SNAP Policy: Arkansas is moving ahead with a ban on SNAP purchases of candy and soda starting Wednesday, alongside a new DHS app to help shoppers check eligible items. Local Government/Deals: Clarksville set July 13 public hearings on two large data-center bond proposals tied to SF ARK1 and Hatchbo. Community/Jobs: Onterris, a North Little Rock environmental firm, landed a $4.13 million contract in Queensland, Australia, supporting a mining permit process.

SNAP Overhaul in Arkansas: Gov. Sarah Sanders says Arkansas will start banning SNAP purchases of soda, candy and certain sugary drinks on July 1, with a new AR SNAP Companion app to help shoppers scan items and see what’s eligible. Tax Sales: Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands Tommy Land announced a July 16 regional auction of tax-delinquent parcels in Clark, Dallas, Nevada and Ouachita counties, with redemption ending before the sale. Banking Moves: Bank OZK approved a $200 million stock repurchase program effective July 1, while First Community Bank struck a naming-rights deal for Jonesboro’s Ridge Athletics Center, now the First Community Bank Sportsplex. Workforce & Education: Minga acquired RTI Scheduler (built in Rogers) to expand flex scheduling and intervention tools for K–12 schools, and the SW Graduate School of Banking wrapped up with 82 graduates from Arkansas and beyond. Local Business/Community: Black River Technical College launched an industrial emergency management preparedness course in Jonesboro, and the Pine Bluff Convention Center marked 50 years as a regional events hub.

Medicaid Work Rules: The Trump administration issued final federal rules for states to enforce Medicaid “work” requirements, spelling out what roughly 18.5 million enrollees must do and pushing agencies to overhaul systems ahead of a 2027 rollout. Arkansas Farm Stress: Arkansas led the nation in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies in 2025, and forecasts point to weaker 2026 net farm income as input costs and depressed commodity prices squeeze producers. Arkansas Critical Minerals: Pantera Minerals reported high-grade antimony and silver results from its Gillham Project in southwest Arkansas, refining targets ahead of a planned maiden drilling campaign. Local Business Growth: Hybar says it will open a second rebar mini mill in Osceola after raising $1.1 billion, aiming to boost domestic rebar output. Tech & Privacy: Arkansas teens’ online privacy protections kick in Tuesday, limiting behavioral ad targeting for ages 13–16, while Arkansas also moves through major child-safety legal actions involving social platforms. Food & Health: Arkansas’ first certified community-based doula is a milestone toward reimbursement pathways as the state builds a formal certification framework. Policy & Courts: A coalition of nearly 400 local newspaper owners sued OpenAI and Microsoft over alleged copying of reporting to train AI tools.

Critical Minerals: Pantera Minerals says its Gillham Project in southwest Arkansas continues turning up high-grade antimony, silver and base metals, extending targets like the Stewart Prospect and flagging new drill-ready zones. Education & School Choice: The Arkansas Department of Education is criticizing ClassWallet, calling its payment platform for the state’s universal school choice program “fragmented” and warning performance gaps could lead to a vendor change. Local Business Spotlight: Flywheel Pies, based in Blevins, is scaling a decades-old fried pie operation—now producing about 2,000 pies a day and distributing statewide. Healthcare & Community: Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center will host a Community Appreciation Night in Hope, pairing local business networking with hospital tours and family activities. Energy Costs: A new national report warns Arkansas and the broader West South Central region could see some of the highest summer electric bills as heat drives higher cooling demand. Public Safety: A Fayetteville jury sentenced a former Kona resident to life in prison for an Arkansas slaying tied to evidence dumped in Beaver Lake.

Data Centers & Local Taxes: A new analysis says Arkansas’ planned hyperscale data centers could generate far less property-tax revenue than advertised because local abatements would erase more than half the potential take, including for a proposed Google site at the Port of Little Rock. State Policy & Food Costs: Arkansas begins enforcing a SNAP waiver that bans benefits for soda and certain other “unhealthy” items starting July 1, joining a growing list of states tightening food-stamp purchases. Healthcare & Access: Pharmacy benefit managers are facing more state action to rein in drug-price practices, with Tennessee moving to bar PBMs from operating retail pharmacies. Community & Business Giving: Arvest Bank’s Million Meals campaign raised a record $633,513, including $13,927.82 for the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. Local Events: Arkansas State University’s America 250 Freedom Fest in Jonesboro is set for Saturday night with free admission and a fireworks show expected around 9:30 p.m. Forestry Funding: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ Department of Agriculture is taking applications for $2 million in hardwood reforestation help and $150,000 for southern pine beetle prevention cost-share programs. Public Safety/Quality: Howard Memorial Hospital in Arkansas earned a five-star patient recommendation rating and improved emergency department performance metrics.

SNAP Rule Change: Arkansas retailers are gearing up for a July 1 ban on using food stamps to buy soda, candy and certain low-juice drinks, part of a USDA-approved waiver aimed at steering shoppers toward healthier options. Local Water & Growth Planning: Fort Smith’s board spent an all-day strategy session weighing how to fund water system upgrades, while leaning on strengths like the foreign pilot training center and the region’s education and manufacturing base. Housing & Jobs: Clayton Manufacturing opened a new Conway home-building facility, investing $42 million to support about 3,000 homes a year and 250+ jobs. Workforce for the AI Era: A new $500 million initiative, RAISE US, is launching with major tech backers and plans to work with Arkansas and other states on retraining programs for workers facing automation pressures. Defense Manufacturing Expansion: L3Harris broke ground in Camden on two more PAC-3 propulsion facilities to boost U.S. Army interceptor output, with operations targeted for next year. Business/Tech Policy Watch: Uniti Group says a subcontractor struck a gas line in Twinsburg, Ohio, and blames inaccurate underground utility markings for the explosion—an issue that will resonate for Arkansas infrastructure and telecom projects. Health Costs & Drug Pricing: States are pushing new limits on pharmacy benefit managers as lawmakers target the middlemen behind prescription coverage and rising drug costs.

Housing & Jobs: Clayton Manufacturing celebrated the grand opening of a new Conway home-building facility, investing $42 million to modernize a 220,000-square-foot plant expected to produce 3,000 homes a year and add 250+ jobs. Higher Ed Funding: UAM won a $1.4 million grant to renovate its historic Music Building, including major HVAC and boiler upgrades. Military Manufacturing: L3Harris broke ground on two new PAC-3 propulsion facilities in Camden, aiming to boost production capacity for the U.S. Army and ramp hiring. AI Workforce Push (Arkansas): A new bipartisan nonprofit, RAISE US, is launching with $500M+ to retrain workers for AI-driven job shifts, with Arkansas among the initial states. Tech & Consumer Safety: Arkansas AG Tim Griffin sued Snapchat’s parent company, alleging design features make it harder for parents and law enforcement to detect harmful interactions. Sports Business: Arkansas football’s stadium naming-rights deal with CommunityAmerica is reported to total $70 million over 13 years.

NBA Draft buzz: The 2026 draft delivered big-name star power at the top with few early trades, and team-by-team grades highlighted how each club shaped its roster. Arkansas politics: Attorney General Tim Griffin announced State Sen. Ben Gilmore will join his office as senior advisor July 1, alongside other senior staff moves. Local business & community: Fayetteville businesses backed the Northwest Arkansas Trans March with Pride flags and staff participation, underscoring how local companies show up for community events. Defense & manufacturing: Titan Mining’s subsidiary received conditional U.S. Army lease selections tied to graphite-processing facilities at Pine Bluff Arsenal and Anniston Army Depot—another step toward domestic critical-minerals capacity. Workforce/AI: A new $500M-backed nonprofit, RAISE US, plans to pilot AI workforce transition efforts starting in Arkansas and other states. Health & hunger: Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas received about $14,000 to fight summer hunger, while Arkansas also faces a physician-residency bottleneck highlighted in a new workforce strategy report.

Steel Expansion: Hybar LLC in Osceola says it has raised $1.1 billion to build an “Expansion Mill” next to its first scrap-metal rebar plant, boosting capacity to about 1.3 million tons a year and aiming for completion in roughly 24 months. Legal & Consumer Tech: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced a lawsuit against Snap, Inc. over claims Snapchat was deceptively designed to addict minors, adding to the state’s broader push against major social platforms. Workforce & AI: A new national nonprofit, RAISE US, backed by major employers and AI leaders, is rolling out training and job-transition support meant to help workers adapt as AI reshapes jobs. Defense Supply Chain: Titan Mining and REalloys were selected by the U.S. Army for critical-minerals processing at military sites, including a graphite-processing effort tied to Arkansas’ Pine Bluff Arsenal. Health Care Business: Adoration Home Health in Batesville rebranded from Amedisys and is expanding services in a multi-county area, including adding speech therapy and certified nursing assistants. State Politics: Sen. Ben Gilmore plans to resign to join the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office as a senior adviser.

SNAP Shake-Up: The USDA says Arkansas’ SNAP payment error rate is high enough to trigger new state cost and benefit-sharing rules starting this October, raising fresh pressure on DHS as the state faces a hunger crisis. Razorback Business Deal: CommunityAmerica Credit Union will take naming rights for Razorback Stadium starting in 2027 under a long-term partnership that signals more Northwest Arkansas investment. AI Workforce Push: Former Gov. Eric Holcomb and Gina Raimondo launched RAISE US, a $500M+ nonprofit with Arkansas among its initial partners, aimed at retraining workers for an AI-driven economy. Critical Minerals, Military Sites: The U.S. Army is moving ahead with critical-minerals processing on bases, with Arkansas tied to graphite purification plans—another step for domestic supply chains. Solar Policy Shift: New Arkansas solar rules are cutting the value of power sent to the grid, leaving at least one developer looking elsewhere for growth. Tech and Kids in Court: Arkansas AG Tim Griffin filed a lawsuit against Snap over claims Snapchat was designed to be addictive for minors and didn’t adequately protect children. Local Economy & Growth: Jonesboro’s First Community Bank Sportsplex hit a major construction milestone and unveiled its new name tied to a long-running sponsorship. Fraud Case: A Paragould towing owner faces dozens of felony counts tied to alleged illegal repossessions and forged title paperwork. Workforce Snapshot: Columbia County’s unemployment rate fell to 4.0% in April, down from 4.7% in March.