It's no secret Downtown Springdale is in the midst of some major improvements. With many momentous projects coming up in the next couple of years, here are three exciting projects worth sharing:

• The Old Ryan's Building: The northwest corner of Emma Avenue and Commercial Street is where the area's second multilevel mixed-used structure is beginning to creep upwards. This 20,000 sqft structure will showcase a blend of commercial and residential elements. The building is expected to be completed early 2022.

• Luther George Park: This downtown 14 acre park will soon be revitalized by a great deal of improvements such as new open spaces, trails, and up to 200 trees. This community staple will provide an ideal place for shows, concerts, and events. ICYMI - Forbes.com picked up the story.

• The Jones Center: Just further west of downtown is The Jones Center - a landmark for the diverse community of Springdale. The Center is currently in a developmental phase with plans to completely revamp the facilities. Want your voice heard on these renovations? Visit HERE to explore the concepts and provide your own input.

Want to know more? Read the full article HERE.

What a weekend for Arkansas sports... Arkansas Baseball controls the SEC West after a wild series in Oxford, the Arkansas Softball team fought it out with Bama here at home, football preps for spring scrimmage, and Moody says, thank you but next.

• Baseball: The No. 2 Razorbacks went went 2-1 this weekend with Ole Miss who is ranked No. 3. With an 18-14 win on Sunday, it secured their position as the top contender in the SEC West standings. The last time Arkansas won the series at Oxford was in 2010.

• Softball: The No. 8 Lady Razorbacks fell to No. 3 Alabama at home this past weekend losing the series 2-1. The best of 3 ended with a 2-0 Bama victory on Sunday.

• Football: If you're as curious about the QB battle as we are, you can watch the battle in person. There is a spring game this Saturday in Fayetteville open to the public - but you have to reserve your (free) tickets in advance. The show begins at 2pm.

ICYMI: Moses Moody declared for the NBA draft (to be expected). He is the first one season and done player in Arkansas Basketball history.

We love a good giveback story. Cox Communications announced they will award over $125,000 to area non-profits and educators this year through its employee-funded giving program, Cox Charities.

• Tell me more: If you are are a local non-profit looking for additional funds or educator in the community, OR maybe you know someone who is involved with either group - you have the chance to receive up to a few thousand dollars each.

• Quote: “Through Cox Charities, our employees are excited to be able to give back to the communities where we live, work and serve. It has never been more important to support as we continue to recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Curt Stamp, market VP for Arkansas.

• Interested in applying? Applications for both are now being accepted HERE.

Want to know more? You can read the full article HERE.

The 2021 Arkansas Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan competition has concluded and winners were announced during a virtual presentation held last week. Now in its 21st year, the Governor’s Cup is an entrepreneurship showcase for college students.

• The winners took home a total of $100,000 in all-cash awards, contributed by title sponsor Dhu Thompson and Revolution Bag of Little Rock. Other major sponsors include the Walton Family Foundation, Innovate Arkansas and Winrock Automotive.

U of A students took first place in two of the top divisions...

• Small Business Division Winners:
• Simple + Sweet Creamery from the U of A (1st place, $15,000).
• Christ Light Apparel from Central Baptist College in Conway (2nd place, $10,000.
• Apollo from the Arkansas School for Math, Sciences and the Arts in Hot Springs (3rd place, $5,000).

• Innovate Arkansas High Growth/Technology Division Winners:
• Nivera Solutions from the U of A (1st place, $25,000).
• ReGen Technologies from the U of A (2nd place, $15,000).
• Balance Mark from Harding University (3rd place, $10,000).

You can read more about the winners HERE.

Lowell will soon see a new company in town. The BoxMaker, a custom packaging company from Washington state, broke ground on a 60,000-square-foot production plant in Benton County last month.

• The digital production equipment produced on site will be industry leading - The BoxMaker will be the first company in the U.S. to operate two specific machines at the Lowell site said Richard Brown, president and co-owner.

• Quote: “The future of packaging is digital,” Brown said. "Our expansion into Arkansas will allow The BoxMaker and our e-commerce web-to-print platform to more effectively serve companies across the country in need of custom printed packaging with cost-effective shipping and exceptional lead times.”

• Rewind: The company entered the Arkansas market in late 2020 when it acquired Tango Press, a digital printing and packaging startup in Springdale. Equipment and staff from that plant will begin working and operating out of The BoxMaker’s new facility in Lowell later this year. -Talk Business & Politics

Read the full article HERE.