Business news in brief

Best Pallets wins conservation award

The Arkansas Wildlife Federation named Best Pallets of Fort Smith as Corporate Conservationist of the Year. Each year the federation honors organizations that have made a difference in protecting and enhancing Arkansas' wildlife and wild places in the past year.

The Fort Smith-based company recycles and resells enough shipping pallets to save more than 132,000 trees a year. Wood pallets not meeting repair specifications are processed through a 25-ton horizontal grinder, then sold as landscape mulch. Pallet nails are extracted and sold as scrap iron after processing through a series of magnets in the grinding process.

Jim Taylor is the company's CEO. Best Pallets has 25 employees.

The federation will hold an awards banquet Saturday at the James "Jitters" Morgan White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road, White Hall. Tickets are $25 each or $40 for couples and seating is limited. Purchase tickets at www.ArWild.org or (501) 414-2845.

Mercy Hospital Fort Smith on list of best

Mercy Hospital Fort Smith is one of three hospitals statewide names to U.S. News & World Report's annual "Best Hospitals" list. CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, Little Rock, was first in the state and Mercy Fort Smith tied for second with Little Rock's Baptist Health Medical Center.

The Fort Smith hospital was recognized as high-performing in treatment related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, hip replacement and knee replacement. Scores are based on a variety of patient outcomes and care-related factors, such as patient safety and nurse staffing.

SBA honors Arvest for 2nd year in row

The U.S. Small Business Administration recognized Arvest Bank as the 2016 U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas District Top 7(a) Lender of the Year. The designation is based on the number of loans secured during fiscal 2015. This is the second-consecutive year Arvest has been recognized for this achievement.

In addition to the bank's accomplishments during fiscal 2015, Arvest was recognized by the SBA as its No. 1 lender in Arkansas for the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Briefs are for businesses in Northwest Arkansas that are new, have moved or closed, opened a new branch, changed owners or have been honored by an independent organization. Email items to cswanson@nwadg.com. Information will be published as space allows.

SundayMonday Business on 08/07/2016

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