Growing Washington kayak maker eyes NWA for distribution center

Recreational kayak manufacturer Eddyline Kayaks has picked up a minority growth investment from Bentonville investment firm RZC Investments. The investment will support various growth initiatives, including the company’s plans to set up a physical presence in Northwest Arkansas.

In a Thursday (Jan. 20) news release, Eddyline announced the investment but did not disclose the amount.

RZC Investments is the direct investment firm of Runway Group, a Bentonville holding company led by Steuart Walton and Tom Walton. They are grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton and the sons of Jim Walton, chairman and CEO of Arvest Bank Group Inc.

Matt Tarver and Don Huffner manage RZC Investments. Huffner will join Eddyline’s board of directors as part of the investment. Read MORE.

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May 9, 2024

Walton group buys 2,700 acres in Bella Vista; assures community input in future development

Blue Crane, the Bentonville developer, has closed a real estate deal to buy approximately 2,700 acres of undeveloped land from Cooper Communities Inc. of Rogers. Blue Crane announced the transaction on Thursday (May 9). According to a news release, the land is situated throughout Bella Vista in Benton County, with most of…
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April 22, 2024

Brenda Anderson this year’s R.E. “Ed” Buck Award recipient

The Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce awarded Runway’s Chief Strategy Officer Brenda Anderson with the 2024 R.E. “Ed” Buck Award at their State of the Chamber lunch last week. This award is presented to an individual who personifies servant leadership. Congratulations, Brenda!

April 17, 2024

Cortado Ventures, Oklahoma VC firm, bringing summit to Bentonville in May

Cortado Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm in Oklahoma City with more than $110 million in assets under management (AUM), will host its second annual Midcontinent Venture Capital Summit on May 9 at Ledger in downtown Bentonville. Cortado Ventures is bringing the event to Northwest Arkansas to highlight the flourishing…
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April 3, 2024

Thaden Field internationally recognized for Women of Aviation Week efforts

Thaden Field was awarded the “Most Acclaimed Organizer Worldwide Award” by the Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide in recognition of their Women of Aviation Week events last month.

March 12, 2024

Runway Group Co-Founder Tom Walton to be New CEO

Runway Group Chief Executive Officer Chris Seay will retire as CEO effective at the end of March, the company has announced. Runway co-founder Tom Walton will step into the role as CEO. Seay has served as CEO since October of 2021, having previously served as Chief Operating Officer for the…
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March 8, 2024

Blue Crane ventures into Bella Vista with $33.9M acquisition that includes Sugar Creek Center

Bentonville real estate developer Blue Crane completed a real estate acquisition for approximately 54 acres in Bella Vista in three separate deals totaling $33.9 million, laying the groundwork for future developments. The property acquired lies east of U.S. Highway 71 Business and includes the 9.5-acre, 48,000-square-foot Sugar Creek Shopping Center,…
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March 8, 2024

Ozarks at Large: Bentonville’s Thaden Field, Fly OZ Club observe Women in Aviation Week

Desi Eddy and MK McKinley from Thaden Field talked with KUAF 91.3 Public Radio about the Women of Aviation Week hangar party taking place Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the exhibit hangar. Attendees can enjoy snacks and refreshments, race pedal planes, draw in the chalk art area,…
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March 6, 2024

Bentonville named Top-10 in Southern Living’s ‘The South’s Best Cities on the Rise’

"Often referred to as 'the town that Walmart built,' this Arkansas hotspot is riding a strong and rising tide. It has become a veritable cultural center, with museums like the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary. An expanding culinary landscape has fostered buzzy ONYX Coffee Lab and…
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March 4, 2024

Vernon Named to “50 Over 50” List

Screenshot at Arkansas Money & Politics Fifty Over

Gary Vernon II, Runway Group's Director of Outdoor Recreation and Trail Innovation, was named to Arkansas Money & Politics' “50 Over 50” list.

February 7, 2024

Coalition of Hip Hideaways Launches to Advance Thoughtful Growth Across Country

Northwest Arkansas, Colorado Springs, Greater Chattanooga and Missoula today launched the Coalition of Hip Hideaways, a collective of distinct, likeminded communities across the country that are collaborating to accelerate thoughtful growth in all forms. This coalition represents a significant milestone, developed by the Northwest Arkansas Council, and builds on the…
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