The Arkansas Economic Development Commission recently granted over $645,000 to 206 schools across Arkansas, with over $42,000 directed toward Benton and Washington County schools.

• Conservation: Benton County Schools received a total of $8,195.00 and Washington County Schools a total of $34,018.53 to spend on wildlife education, improve school conservation programs, purchase items for student activities, create pollinator gardens, and build outdoor spaces. 
• Redeemed for good: All the fines collected from hunting and fishing violations by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are invested back into their respective counties to teach children about conservation and instill a love of the outdoors.

See what schools in your county received funding for HERE. 

Enjoy a full day of Arkansas athletics during Wooo Pig Weekend set for Apr 15.

• Football frenzy: Kick off the day at noon with Coach Pittman for the spring game at Razorback Stadium. Beforehand, enjoy live music, food trucks, and more at HogTown in Lot 44 near Gate 14 on the stadium's north side.
• Take me out to the Ballgame: That afternoon, head to Bogle Park to watch the Razorbacks take on UAB at 3p, followed by a baseball showdown with Tennessee at Baum-Walker Stadium at 6p.

Get your tickets HERE. 

Atento Capital presented at the Northwest Arkansas Council's Annual Winter Meeting to discuss its venture capital opportunities in the region. 

• Good neighbors: The Tulsa-based firm recently launched 412 Angel, an angel investing network based in Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas, aiming to connect investors with early-stage startups.
• Strong bonds: By investing in startups and strengthening NWA's bond with Tulsa, Atento Capital is helping diversify portfolios in the region by encouraging local investments, particularly in tech entrepreneurship.

Learn more on this episode of Ozarks at Large HERE. 

Beginning this Friday, Feb 17, XNA will have three nonstop flight options to Phoenix as Breeze Airways joins the competition between American Airlines' daily routes and twice-weekly options by Allegiant Air.

• NWA loves Phoenix: Phoenix, the 10th largest metropolitan area in the US with almost 5m people, is the 15th most common destination for XNA passengers and a significant location for business and leisure travel.
• Steep competition: While adding a third airline option should increase passenger numbers, there may be a more challenging battle than expected between the three airlines, with a total of 164 seats to fill and a current average of 44 daily flyers to Phoenix.

Read the full story from FareFlightNWA HERE. 

Despite mixed prices and sales in the used vehicle industry, Rogers-based America's Car-Mart, Inc., is anticipating a double-digit earnings decline and revenue growth in the third quarter of fiscal 2023.

• Sales up: Vehicle sales are expected to rise by 3% to 14,600 vehicles, and average retail sales are expected to increase by 7.5% to around $18,400. 
• Game plan: Credit loss rates are expected to rise by 12 percentage points from last year, helping drive Car-Mart's competitive advantage in the market combined with a renewed focus on expense optimization and customer-base expansion.

Read more on the story from Talk Business & Politics HERE.