On Tuesday, July 29, the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce will host the annual White County Business EXPO on the Harding University Campus in the Ganus Center located just off of East Beebe Capps in Searcy.  

The event will open to the public from Noon until 4:00 p.m. and admission is FREE.  It’s a great opportunity for attendees to find out about the products and services in our area, sample many of the local restaurants fare, win one of our fabulous door prizes and meet local business owners, state officials and candidates.  The Grand Prize Drawing will be held at 3:00 p.m.

Contact the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce at 501-268-2458 or visit their website at www.searcychamber.com for more information.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - State officials say Arkansas' unemployment rate has dropped below 7 percent for the first time in more than five years.

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services says the state's unemployment rate dropped to 6.9 percent in March, down from 7.1 percent in February. Agency spokeswoman Becky Heflin says it's the first time Arkansas' jobless rate has been below 7 percent since January 2009.

All major industry sectors posted gains in March. Jobs in leisure and hospitality rose by 3,200, while employment in trade, transportation and utilities increased by 3,000.

Construction added 1,900 jobs and government employment increased by 1,200.

The national unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in March.

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