Bentonville is Arkansas’ current ‘It’ city, and it’s a distinction that’s well earned. UA economist Kathy Deck sees no reason for its momentum to slow and IA advisor Jeff Amerine thinks Bentonville’s growth is just getting started.

It’s Friday and the sun is shining. Time to hit the links. The INOV8 Links, that is. We’ve got info on the AAEA-endorsed PACE Initiative, the group’s annual conference set for October, and more.

Startups formed at the Walton Business College at the University of Arkansas are faring well in national business-plan competitions and also in the real business world.

The Walmart competition fields eight regional winners from across the country, each of whom will converge on the home office in Bentonville Thursday and Friday. The UA’s EverClean Coating Solutions won the Mid-South Region.