2026 Arkansas Business Forecast Draws 1,100 Leaders to Rogers Convention Center

The 2026 Arkansas Business Forecast, hosted by the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business, brought together approximately 1,100 business, government, and community leaders at the Rogers Convention Center for one of the state’s premier economic outlook events.

The program featured in-depth analysis and forecasts from Mervin Jebaraj, Dr. Brent D. Williams, Matuschka Lindo Briggs, MBA, and Alberto G. Musalem, with presentations focused on state economic conditions and the 2026 outlook across key sectors, as well as national and global economic indicators, trends, and forecasts shaping the year ahead.

The City of Russellville and the Russellville Chamber of Commerce were grateful to Entergy Arkansas for the invitation to attend. Russellville values its strong partnership with Entergy and appreciates the company’s continued leadership and commitment to economic growth across Arkansas.

The event also provided the opportunity to engage with key partners and stakeholders, including Clint O’Neal, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, representatives from Tyson Foods, and leaders from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, alongside business and civic leaders from across the state.

Entergy table pictured left to right: Clint O’Neal, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission; Danny Games, Vice President of Business and Economic Development, Entergy Arkansas; Katy Games, Tyson Foods; Russell Harris, Entergy Arkansas; Jeffrey Nielsen, Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce; Omar Clemons, Entergy Arkansas; Megan Selman, Russellville Chamber of Commerce; and Mayor Fred Teague, City of Russellville.

Also representing Russellville at the event, though not pictured, were Josh Stroud of River Valley Realty and Chad Selman of Simmons Bank.