Governor Asa Hutchinson joined North Arkansas College and the public Monday to break ground on the new Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Innovation (CRMI).
Northark is the first community college in Arkansas to construct a robotics and manufacturing center on a community college campus. “These are exciting times for Arkansas when we see this growth in Harrison,” said Governor Hutchinson of the new facility. “This opens up a world of opportunity for the young people in our state.”
The $8 million, 32,500 square foot facility will include classrooms and labs for the robotics & automation, manufacturing, machining and electronics programs along with an innovation hub for local business and industry training and will be constructed on the south campus.
The project was funded by a $3 million grant from the State of Arkansas, a $2 million Economic Development Grant, $700 thousand from the Boone County Economic Development Committee, a $100 thousand Economic Development Grant from the City of Harrison for high-tech equipment and the remaining funds provided by North Arkansas College and private donors.
“This isn’t just Northark’s building, it’s a facility for our community,” said Northark President Dr. Rick Massengale. “The CRMI wouldn’t have happened without the contributions of everyone working together to envision a building that will impact our region and state. We’re excited to see the creative workforce solutions that are invented because of the vision and foresight of this team effort to encourage students to pursue careers in robotics and manufacturing.”
Jason Patience, plant manager of Wabash National Harrison said the CRMI will directly affect the company’s bottom line. “This facility will enable Wabash to train employees without having to send them out-of-state, saving us both time and money.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mayor Jerry Jackson proclaimed December 5, 2022 as Workforce Development Day in Harrison.
The architectural firm of Risley & Associates of Fort Smith was selected to design the facility with construction set to begin this spring with an anticipated completion date of fall 2024.
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