The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the date of its Business Expo, presented by FNBC, scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year's theme is "Toy Box," in an effort to encourage attendees to embrace their inner child and vendors to unleash their imagination and embrace the utility of their product or service through the lens of toys. The event will be held at the Batesville Community Center and is free and open to the public. 

Vendors are encouraged to decorate their booths with a toy theme that compliments their business. An award will be given to the most festive booth. Exhibitor registration is now open.

"We look forward to Business Expo every year," said Courteney Muse, BACC's Director of Memberships and Programs. "This event allows businesses to showcase their innovative products and services, connect with industry leaders, and create lasting partnerships."

Vendors are encouraged to offer giveaways, hold creative contests, or demonstrate products/services to generate traffic for their booth.

"Our Business Expo creates opportunities for networking, education, and enjoyment," Muse continued. "Come and experience a day filled with excitement and entertainment. You'll find fresh insights, valuable connections, and a chance at many prizes!"

The business-to-business trade show will be available exclusively to participating vendors from 10 to 11 a.m. The Business Expo will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when vendors and the public will be invited to do business and have fun. A Taste of the Chamber, featuring local cuisine served by Chamber members, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Business Expo also features a Kids Zone with activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a Mascot Dance Off competition.

"I am eager to see the excitement and energy our vendors bring," said Muse. "The expo is a community tradition in Batesville and promotes the importance of businesses highlighting their products, brands, and voices.”

The Chamber and AceOne Technologies have partnered to release a new Expo App. This interactive app will help community members discover more local businesses and services participating in the Expo and allow businesses enhanced ways to interact with guests.

"Our goal in creating this event has always been to spotlight our members' services and products to the community," concluded Muse. "I am proud to be a part of organizing one of the region's largest trade shows. This is a top-tier event year after year."

FNBC presents the expo with additional support from Bad Boy Mowers, the City of Batesville, Intimidator Group, Merchants & Planters Bank, Optimum, Peco Foods, RAWK Imprinting, Sonic Drive-In, the UPS Store, Precise Heat and Air, and White River Health.

Learn more about the 2024 Business Expo at batesvilleareachamber.com or contact Courteney Muse at membership@batesvilleareachamber.com.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony for The Butterstick Batesville.

The Butterstick Batesville is the newest destination for delectable treats in Batesville, Arkansas. Indulge in the many sweet delights at their new storefront. Owner Mila Pinson specializes in cakes, cupcakes, pastries, pies, cake pops, and more. The Butterstick Batesville menu offers a variety of flavors, including options free from gluten, sugar, and dairy. 

Owner of The Butterstick Batesville, Mila Pinson, said, “I’ve been doing this for 15 years as a hobby, but now we are able to do it broad spectrum for the city of Batesville and surrounding areas, and we are very excited.” 

She thanked Dr. Lesley Milton for encouraging her to pursue her dream of opening a bakery at this location. Pinson extended her gratitude to family and friends from across the globe for believing in her. “I took this leap of faith in leaving my 8-5 career and chased my dreams,” remarked Pinson.  

The Butterstick Batesville is located at 350 Harrison Street, Suite C, in Batesville. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ambassadors in attendance include Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Adam Curtwright (Centennial Bank), Amy Crouch-Howard (Weichert, Realtors - The Property Shoppe), Amy Finster (White River Health), Andrea Bruner (Network of Community Options), Brenda Rivera (First Community Bank), Ashley Engles (Citizens Bank), Cassidy Mitchell (Lyon College), Carey Markum (Mossy Oak Properties), Caitlyn Guzman (First Community Bank), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), Cori Perkey (Southern Bank), Eva Henriksen (Merchants & Planters Bank), John High (Qualls Batesville Funeral Service), Jordan Joslin (Choice Realty), Kirsten Harvey (Arkansas Sherriff's Youth Ranch), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), Lucy Rodriguez (George's Inc), Meredith Simmons (Home Instead ), Megan Renihan (Batesville School District), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Peter Rouiler (First Community Bank), Rickie Westbrook (Centennial Bank), Sarah Perkins (Mossy Oak Properties), Seanna Horn (Lyon College), Silje Antonsen (Venture Realty Group), Sydney Wood (Main Street Batesville), Tammy Jeffrey (First Community Bank), Tiffany Traw (UACCB), Dana Millikin (White River Now), and Justin Russell (Bank of Cave City).

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony to celebrate AgHeritage Farm Credit Services' new location.

AgHeritage Farm Credit Services (FCS) operates nine branch locations and serves over 6,400 customer-owners, with owned and managed assets of approximately $2.46 billion as of December 31, 2023. Since its establishment in 1916, FCS has fostered enduring partnerships with agriculture and rural America. They have been instrumental in helping America’s farmers and rural communities thrive by offering a range of financial services. These services encompass rural re-financing, rural home financing, operating loans for business expenses, equipment loans, and agribusiness financing. AgHeritage is an association within the Farm Credit System that operates in all 50 states.

Bo Tretenburg, FCS Regional Manager, remarked, “With our move to the new office, we show our commitment to this community and the customers we serve. We look forward to continuing to serve our existing loan members and establishing new relationships.”

“We’ve been here over twenty-five years. We are excited to be in Batesville—it is a beautiful area. This area in agriculture is some of the best in the state,” said FCS President and CEO Greg Cole. “It’s really grown here in Arkansas. We have collected a loan volume in the farm credit system of around 7 billion dollars. We are the largest ag lender in the US as well as Arkansas, with 100 million in volume at the office here in Batesville. We’ve seen tremendous growth here. Our people all have something in common: they love agriculture, rural America, and serving others. So glad to be a part of the community here and to be able to contribute to the economy.” 

Ambassadors in attendance include Adam Curtwright (Centennial Bank), Andrea Bruner (Network of Community Options), Brenda Rivera (First Community Bank), Cassidy Mitchell (Lyon College), Carey Markum (Mossy Oak Properties), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), Cori Perkey (Southern Bank), Kendra Collier-McMahan (Approve Home Health and Caring Hands), Kirsten Harvey (Arkansas Sherriff's Youth Ranch), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), Mary Duvall (Bad Boy, Inc), Meredith Simmons (Home Instead ), Rickie Westbrook (Centennial Bank), Silje Antonsen (Venture Realty Group), Sydney Wood (Main Street Batesville), and Tammy Jeffrey (First Community Bank).

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony to celebrate the relocation of Home Helpers Batesville's relocation. The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 8, at 10:30 a.m. at 2080 Harrison St, Suite C, in Batesville. 

Home Helpers Home Care of Batesville is not just an in-home health care agency — it is a beacon of hope and support when family can’t be there. Home Helpers, a locally owned and trusted provider, offers quality, compassionate in-home care in Batesville. Their home care programs are tailored to each client's unique situation, providing an affordable solution that keeps your loved one where they’re happiest: at home.

All community supporters, chamber members, ambassadors, board members, and staff are invited to attend.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony for Cigna Healthcare. The ribbon-cutting will occur at 409 Vine Street in Batesville on Monday, May 13, at 1 p.m. 

Cigna Healthcare has expanded to the Batesville area. Cigna is a health benefits provider that advocates for better health through every stage of life. Customers are guided through the health care system with the assistance of Cigna representatives, empowering individuals with the information and insight needed to improve their health and vitality.

All community supporters, chamber members, ambassadors, board members, and staff are invited to attend.

The Batesville Area Arts Council’s Gallery on Main presents the 12th Annual BAAC National Juried Exhibition, April 23 through June 8, 2024. This diverse exhibition juried by Justin Bryant, a contemporary artist and current Assistant Professor at Philander Smith University, includes 20 pieces from 19 artists across the United States, featuring paintings, drawings, textile work, and sculpture.

The artists included in this exhibition are Scott Andresen (New Orleans, LA), Brandin Barón (San Francisco, CA), Andy Denton (North Little Rock, AR), Lisa Floryshak (Bald Knob, AR), Marshall Green (Wellsville, NY), Kevin Haran (Oviedo, FL), Rene Hein (Little Rock, AR), Tehya Hinkson (Bryant, AR), Larry Lauxman (Lawrence, KS), Devin Lovett (Augusta, Georgia), Jason McCann (Maumelle, AR), Glenda McCune (Little Rock, AR), Jennifer Perren (Little Rock, AR), Shakeelah Rahmaan (Little Rock, AR), Katherine Strause (Little Rock, AR), Carissa Watson (North Little Rock, AR), Cody Wilson (Norman, OK), Brian Thomas Wolf (North Little Rock, AR), and Jonathan Wright (Pine Bluff, AR). The Batesville Area Arts Council is honored to share work from talented artists all across the United States.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Batesville Area Arts Council (BAAC) is excited to announce a special yard sale event on May 10th and 11th, starting at 8 a.m. This two-day event will feature a wide array of items for sale, with all proceeds going towards the expansion of the workshop space at the BAAC.

The yard sale will take place at 246 E Main Street, offering a variety of treasures and bargains for shoppers to discover. From household items to clothing, books, and more, there will be something for everyone at this event.

"We are thrilled to host this yard sale fundraiser to support the growth of our workshop space," said Carly Dahl, Executive Director of the Batesville Area Arts Council. "Every purchase made at the yard sale will directly contribute to expanding access to the arts in our community."

Don't miss this opportunity to shop for a cause and help support the arts in Batesville. Mark your calendars for May 10th and 11th and join us at the yard sale!

For more information, please call 870-793-3382.

There is Hope. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to connect with compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, 988 provides a 24/7 connection to confidential support.

Students in the Class of 2027 and beyond are now required to complete community service to earn a high school diploma (Act 237 of 2023, pages 38-39). The law specifies students will earn 15 hours of community service in ninth grade and 20 hours of community service in each subsequent year of high school for 75 total hours.

We believe that parents should lead, guide, and direct service. We know it is a very personal, family lesson for life. We will be approving service vetted by parents for safety and all other protocols. Our training includes safety protocols and suggestions. See our website for the most up to date information and a recorded webinar or call us for more information.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice of business in Independence County, providing chamber members advocacy, promotion, and resources. The Chamber works to set the standard for service, collaboration, growth, and high quality of life in the Batesville area. We are unwavering in our commitment to strengthening our business community.