Enhancing Business Success through Public Service: How Ben & Jerry’s became so Good

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By: Greg Cooper; Digital Literacy Instructional Staff at Arkansas Capital Corporation Ben-and-Jerrys If you believe that failure gets you nowhere and that businesses can’t promote the common good for all, then you should talk to Ben Cohen. Cofounder of Ben and Jerry’s, Cohen spoke to a packed house at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service on October 22nd. And yes, free ice cream was handed out to everyone afterwards. The Ben & Jerry story starts back to Cohen’s childhood friendship with his now business partner, Jerry Greenfield. Cohen fondly recalled being the two largest kids in their junior high gym class and the bond formed by always being the very last two to finish running laps together. [Read more…]

Arkansas Capital Welcomes Bruno’s Little Italy

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Bruno's Little ItalyThe much anticipated Bruno’s Little Italy is now open, and The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group is proud to have played a major role in bringing back one of Little Rock’s most popular restaurants. Bruno’s Little Italy is located at 310 Main Street in downtown Little Rock and is serving as one of the anchor tenants in the Main Street revitalization. Bruno’s is now open for dinner from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday nights. Bruno’s will also begin serving lunch in the coming weeks. Lunch hours will be from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  [Read more…]

Arkansas Capital Corporation Is Pleased to Showcase the Work of Local Artists

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  Jason SmithIn August, The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group was looking for inspiration for its staff, clients and visitors. We found in the work of Robert Bean and decided to share his artwork by opening up our offices to visitors as part of downtown Little Rock’s 2nd Friday Art Night. We were so happy with the enthusiasm and response of our guests, that we have decided to open our offices again. This time, we are inspired by the works of Jason Smith, Diane Harper and Dominique Simmons. [Read more…]

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group Announces VetLoan Advantage Incentive

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flagSix Bridges Capital Corporation, in partnership with The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, announced a new loan incentive for veterans. VetLoan Advantage offers veteran-owned businesses a substantially lower processing cost on SBA 504 loans, allowing more opportunity for veterans to expand their existing businesses with fixed assets. VetLoan Advantage promotes entrepreneurship and business ownership among vets and their spouses. VetLoan Advantage provides capital for businesses to purchase commercial owner-occupied real estate, construct new building and purchase machinery and equipment. “Veterans have a track record for success in running small businesses but may be challenged with finding financing that’s right for them,” said Al Hodge, senior vice president, Arkansas Capital Corporation and Six Bridges Capital Corporation. “VetLoan Advantage offers veterans a lower cost way to raise the capital for fixed-asset needs. We are proud to provide this incentive and benefit for our men and women who have served our country.” [Read more…]

VetLoan Advantage Provides Needed Capital to Capital Business Machines

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Capital Business Machines logo In the business technology business since 1975 and in its current location since 2000, the Rogers family, owners of Capital Business Machines, Inc., realized they needed more space to expand their operations. Through the use of VetLoan Advantage, an option utilized with the SBA 504 product, and offered by Six Bridges Capital Corporation, Capital Business Machines was able to obtain ownership of a new facility that’s both bigger and more flexible for their long-term growth. VetLoan Advantage allows veterans to receive a one-third reduction in the SBA 504 loan processing fee, making it easier for veterans to expand their businesses. VetLoan Advantage offers qualifying veterans and their families a lower cost option to raise capital for fixed-asset needs.

Capital Business Machines
Capital Business Machines

“I would recommend that veterans check out the VetLoan product,” said Brett Rogers, president of Capital Business Machines. “We were able to stop leasing a building and get into a place of our own with very little pain. And overall, businesses can gain access to money at better rates than what they can get elsewhere, which makes it easier for them to take that next step.” [Read more…]

Connecting Arkansas Internet Conference Set for September 25-26

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Connecting Arkansas Internet ConferenceConnect Arkansas, a project of Arkansas Capital Corporation, is hosting the Connecting Arkansas Internet Conference September 25-26 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Little Rock. The goal of this conference is to provide a thorough picture of high-speed Internet in Arkansas and how it is and will continue to impact all communities, no matter how large or small. Moving to a digital age and economy has not been without its challenges, and Arkansas is not alone in them, with around 30 percent of Arkansans not having high-speed Internet at home. National and state data are consistent when it comes to the reasons these respondents give for not using the Internet – they can’t afford a computer and/or the service, or they don’t believe it’s to their benefit to be connected. The Connecting Arkansas Internet Conference will look at the challenges of delivering high-speed Internet to all Arkansans and how local, regional, and state leaders from both the public and private sectors are working to address them. There will be opportunities to see how Arkansas can learn from other states – and what other state can learn from Arkansas. [Read more…]

$22 million Main Street redevelopment project dedicated

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Mann on Main
PHOTO BY GAVIN LESNICK
A crowd is gathered for the dedication of the Mann on Main, a $22 million effort to redevelop the seven-story structure at left and the three-story adjoining annex to the right.
A $22 million redevelopment of a historic structure on Little Rock’s Main Street was formally dedicated Thursday, the latest effort in an ongoing process to revitalize the once active downtown stretch. The Mann on Main project in the former Blass Department Store at Fourth and Main streets was opened during a ceremony that featured Gov. Mike Beebe and Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, who both stressed the importance of bringing life back to the once-thriving area. It’s been plagued in more recent years by vacant structures and boarded-up windows. “Main Street was and is the most important street in the state of Arkansas,” Stodola said. “It’s a crossroads to the capital. It’s the crossroads to the river. It’s the crossroads to the excitement and activity that downtowns bring to a community.” [Read more…]

Developers Mark Opening of Mann on Main in Little Rock

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Mann on Main Doyle Rogers Co. and Moses Tucker Real Estate on Thursday marked the grand opening of its Mann on Main mixed-use building, the fully restored and redeveloped former Blass Department Store at Main and 4th streets in downtown Little Rock. The $22 million project includes the Mann Building, a 90,000-SF office building at the corner of 4th and Main; the Mann Lofts, a 30,000-SF multifamily residential component; the ground floor retail of both buildings; and a four-level parking garage at the corner of Louisiana and 4th streets. [Read more…]

Mann on Main Project Opens Today

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Mann on MainDoyle Rogers Company and Moses Tucker Real Estate will be officially opening the doors of its Mann on Main mixed use (office/residential/retail) asset, the fully restored and redeveloped former Blass Department Store at Main & 4th Streets, Downtown Little Rock, event begins at 10:00 am, Thursday, September 5th. Leaders from the project and executives of the firm will be in attendance, as well as the structure’s many office tenants and Arkansas Governor Michael Beebe, Mayor Mark Stodola, and Ms. Anne Laidlaw will be guests of honor. Joint venture development partners, Moses Tucker Real Estate, Inc. and Doyle Rogers Company are announcing the completion of Mann on Main (Project), a major, mixed use redevelopment project on Little Rock’s historic Main Street. The development was a collaboration of efforts and resources of the two established commercial real estate groups, both of which have long affected the skyline of downtown Little Rock and both catalysts for downtown growth and reinvestment. The property consists of the Mann Building, a 90,000 square foot office building at the corner of 4th and Main Streets, Mann Lofts, a 30,000 square foot multifamily residential component, theground floor retail of both buildings, and a 4 level parking garage at the corner of Louisiana and 4th Streets. [Read more…]

Bruno’s Revival On Main Street To Mix Old, New

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Bruno's Little ItalyOn an uncommonly pleasant August afternoon, two workers labored to perfect the stain on a handsome wood bar facing the entrance of Bruno’s Little Italy, while others painted a few yards away. Gio Bruno excitedly noted that a metal railing separating the restaurant from the pavement on Main Street had been erected in the few hours since he had last visited the site the day before. His brother Vince toured what will be the kitchen as Gio pointed to the locations for the steam table, dishwashing station, refrigerator. In about six weeks — the earliest that they can open the restaurant is Sept. 17, Gio says — Bruno’s will again operate under the ownership and authority of the family that founded it in 1948 (or thereabouts; signs and collective memories vary). This iteration of the beloved restaurant, on the ground floor of the Mann Lofts at 310 Main, will help anchor the redevelopment taking place along Main Street in downtown Little Rock. The Mann Lofts occupy a 30,000-SF annex to the building that once housed Blass Department Store. That 112,000-SF building, at 322 Main, is being transformed into Mann on Main, a $22 million joint venture by Moses Tucker Real Estate and the Doyle Rogers Co. [Read more…]

Heartland Renaissance Fund Names Becka Webb Vice President

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Becka WebbHeartland Renaissance Fund, an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, is pleased to name Becka Webb as vice president. Webb will focus on implementing state and federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocations through Heartland. Heartland has $200 million in federal and a recently announced $19 million in state NMTC allocations. “Becka will be focused on working with clients on the implementation of New Markets Tax Credit allocations in disadvantaged areas of the state,” said Sam Walls III, president, Heartland Renaissance Fund. “Her financial background, along with her experience in lending, is a great fit for our organization, which is focused on job creation and helping businesses expand in Arkansas.” [Read more…]