The ceremonial scissors have been busy in Batesville lately.
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce has welcomed four new additions to the local business community in recent weeks — a public disc golf course winding along Poke Bayou, a downtown event venue tucked below street level on Main Street, a multi-location equipment dealer serving farmers and landowners, and an artificial intelligence training company coaching business owners on the technology reshaping commerce.
The Rocks Disc Golf Course at Poke Bayou Park
A scenic stretch of land along Poke Bayou has been transformed into Batesville’s first public disc golf course, with community leaders, volunteers and disc golf enthusiasts gathering to celebrate the grand opening of The Rocks Disc Golf Course at Poke Bayou Park.
Located near the intersection of White Drive and Barnett Drive, the course winds along natural terrain beside the bayou, offering scenic views and a unique playing experience.
“This is such an exciting day for Batesville,” said Amanda Roberts, membership engagement specialist with the Chamber. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the opening of this beautiful course and invite families, visitors, and players of all skill levels to come experience one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.”
Disc golf — played by throwing specialized discs toward metal basket targets in as few throws as possible — has surged in popularity nationwide. More than 16,000 courses now operate worldwide, and according to UDisc, a leading disc golf technology platform, participation has grown more than 70 percent over the past five years.
The course was designed and built largely through volunteer effort. Damien Deloach of the Disc Golf Batesville Club, who helped lead design and construction, said club members spent countless hours clearing brush and laying out the course alongside fellow designer Kyle Downs.
“This course is the result of a true community effort,” Deloach said. “We’re proud to give Batesville a place where anyone can come enjoy the game.”
Lowen Lermitte, director of Batesville Parks and Recreation, credited a broad coalition of partners for bringing the project to fruition and noted it honors the vision of former parks director Jeff Owens, who identified the Poke Bayou site as an ideal location.
“When we gather here today, we aren’t just opening a disc golf course — we’re celebrating a community-driven mission,” Lermitte said.
Mayor Rick Elumbaugh called the course another example of Batesville’s commitment to expanding outdoor amenities. Outdoor recreation contributes more than $7 billion annually to Arkansas’s economy and supports over 68,000 jobs, according to the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation.
Local sponsors include First Community Bank, Atlas Asphalt, White River Materials, Citizens Bank, Custom CNC Machining, Lyon College, White River Health and Poke Bayou Outfitters. Disc golf equipment is available locally at Ford’s Guns Pawn Shop, the Scots Shop at Lyon College and Poke Bayou Outfitters.
Ambassadors in attendance include: Abigail Ballard (Lifeplus), Ashlyn Blevins (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Brandi Curbo (Batesville Guard), Brandon Lackey (Southern Bank), Brenda Rivera (First Community Bank), Eva Henriksen (Merchants & Planters Bank), Dr. Katelyn Holt (Family Chiropractic Care), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Lori Campbell (Batesville Schools), Megan Strother (George’s Inc.), Micah Richardson (Citizens Bank), Michael Dickinson (City of Batesville), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Nathan Dowen (Citizens Bank), Sarah Perkins (Mossy Oak Properties), Scott Phillips (UACCB), Silje Antonsen (First Community Bank), and Taylor Williams (First Community Bank).
The Basement
Downtown Batesville has a new gathering place below street level.
The Basement, an event venue at 359 E. Main Street in the city’s Entertainment District, held its grand opening ribbon cutting with Chamber ambassadors and a crowd ready to mark the occasion.
“This morning we’re at the hottest new venue in downtown Batesville,” Roberts said. “The Basement is exactly the kind of place that adds energy and excitement to our downtown.”
Owned and operated by Jeri Turner, the venue offers flexible space for private rentals and special events including birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, meetings and community gatherings. Turner said the project reflects months of hard work and a passion for creating memorable experiences.
“The Basement was built with lots of hard work and labored with lots of love,” Turner said. “We want this to be a place where people can come together to celebrate, connect, and have fun.”
The opening event featured a Ladies Brunch Sing-Along, modeled after gatherings trending in cities like Nashville. Turner plans to host both private rentals and public ticketed events throughout the year.
The Basement is located next to The Ex Salon and Boutique. For information or bookings, contact Turner at 870-612-7045 or jeri.turner@yahoo.com, or follow the venue on Facebook.
Ambassadors in attendance include: Abigail Ballard (Lifeplus), Crystal Kimmer (White River Health), Katelyn Holt (Family Chiropractic Care), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Lori Campbell (Batesville Schools), Michael Dickinson (City of Batesville), Sarah Perkins (Mossy Oak Properties), and Taylor Williams (First Community Bank).
Dino Equipment and Outdoors
Farmers and landowners in the Batesville area have a new local resource for tractors, mowers and outdoor equipment.
Dino Equipment and Outdoors celebrated its ribbon cutting at 925 Batesville Blvd., marking the newest of the company’s five Arkansas locations, which also include stores in Searcy, Conway, Mountain Home and Clinton.
Owner John Berkheimer said he was grateful for the community’s warm reception and emphasized that the store’s mission extends beyond sales.
“We don’t just sell equipment — we provide parts, service, and support to help our customers keep their operations running smoothly,” Berkheimer said.
The store carries Massey Ferguson, Mahindra and Gravely brands. Berkheimer noted that Mahindra tractors are popular for their simplified diesel technology, while Gravely mowers are known for commercial-grade durability. Massey Ferguson continues a long legacy of farm performance.
Roberts said the store strengthens services available to the agricultural community. “Businesses like this strengthen our local economy and provide valuable services to residents, farmers, and businesses throughout the region,” she said.
Dino Equipment and Outdoors can be reached at 501-268-7818.
Ambassadors in attendance include: Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Abigail Ballard (Lifeplus), Alexandra McClain (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Ashley Davis (Citizens Bank), Ashlyn Blevins (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Brandi Curbo (Batesville Guard), Brandon Lackey (Southern Bank), Candy Mitliff (Bennett Heating, Cooling, & Electrical), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), Eva Henriksen (Merchants & Planters Bank), Kirsten Martin (Arkansas Sherriff’s Youth Ranch), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), Michael Dickinson (City of Batesville), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Nathan Dowen (Citizens Bank), Rickie Westbrook (Centennial Bank), Robert Stephens (Network of Community Options), Sarah Perkins (Mossy Oak Properties), Scott Phillips (UACCB), Silje Antonsen (First Community Bank), Sydney Wood (Main Street Batesville), Taylor Williams (First Community Bank) and Tiffany Traw (UACCB).
Your Peak AI
A new Batesville business is on a mission to make sure local professionals aren’t left behind as artificial intelligence reshapes commerce.
Your Peak AI, owned by Mike and Karen Lies, celebrated its Chamber ribbon-cutting with an energetic ceremony, followed by a live demonstration of AI tools in action.
“Imagine running your business tomorrow with no internet,” Lies told attendees. “That’s how significant this shift is. AI isn’t just another tool — it’s a new technology baseline, and it’s moving faster than the internet ever did.”
During the demonstration, Lies showed how AI platforms like ChatGPT can help businesses tackle strategic challenges, solve operational problems and generate creative solutions within minutes. He drew on more than 25 years of business experience to bridge the gap between trendy AI prompts and practical implementation.
“Businesses that are using AI aren’t smarter — they just have better tools,” Lies said. “If you spend 30 minutes working through real questions with AI, you can walk away with strategies that would normally take weeks to develop.”
Your Peak AI hosted an introductory workshop on Feb. 24 and has a full in-depth workshop planned for late March. The company serves business owners, managers and professionals across industries.
For more information, visit yourpeakai.com, follow Your Peak AI on Facebook, or call 870-805-0334.
Ambassadors in attendance include: Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Alexandra McClain (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Ashlyn Blevins (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Brandi Curbo (Batesville Guard), Brandon Lackey (Southern Bank), Brenda Rivera (First Community Bank), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), Crystal Kimmer (White River Health), Eva Henriksen (Merchants & Planters Bank), Julie Hinkle (Bank of Cave City), Lori Campbell (Batesville School District), Megan Strother (George’s Inc.), Micah Richardson (Citizens Bank), Michael Dickinson (City of Batesville), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Nathan Dowen (Citizens Bank), Robert Stephens (Network of Community Options), Sarah Perkins (Mossy Oak Properties), Sarah Ring (Southern Bank), Scott Phillips (UACCB), Sydney Wood (Main Street Batesville), and Taylor Williams (First Community Bank).
All images via the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce
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