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Northeast Arkansas IT Training Collaboration to Begin in Newport
Apr 21, 2020
Northeast Arkansas IT Training Collaboration to Begin in Newport
Newport, Arkansas
More Information: director@newportaredc.org
The Newport Economic Development Commission and ASU-Newport are partnering with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences (ACDS) to bring a regional Information Technology training center to downtown Newport, Arkansas. The training center will feature apprenticeship training programs for a wide range of Arkansas companies in the areas of Computer Coding and Software Development, Data Analysis, and Cyber Security. Apprentices who enter the program will be paid by their host company to gain the necessary training for a permanent IT position and there will be no cost to the apprentice for the training.
“The Arkansas Center for Data Sciences has so many resources and partnerships that they bring to the table,” stated Jon Chadwell, Director of Economic Development in Newport. “We are very fortunate to be part of a great team like this one.” The center will bring cutting edge IT training to northeast Arkansas, allowing local residents to gain the skills to obtain high paying jobs. “We hope to build a workforce that will convince Arkansas technology companies to view Newport as an option for their back-office services,” Chadwell added.
The Arkansas Center for Data Sciences is dedicated to growing the state’s IT economy by fostering collaboration, establishing critical partnerships, and developing talent in high-demand, high-growth areas such as software development, data analytics and cybersecurity. ACDS was created as a result of Governor Hutchinson’s Blue Ribbon Commission and has quickly established programs in central and northwest Arkansas. “We are excited to establish this partnership with the Newport Economic Development Commission and ASU-Newport,” said Bill Yoder, Executive Director of ACDS. “This opportunity will allow us to expand into northeast Arkansas and working with Newport will allow us to create a model for technology training in rural communities.” ACDS will be the managing partner of the center.
Arkansas State University-Newport will be joining the project as one of the apprenticeship training partners. By collaborating with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences on industry specific training, ASU-Newport will expand their robust array of technical training programs. “ASU-Newport is proud to be a training partner with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences for the new IT center in Newport,” said Dr. Sandra Massey, Chancellor. “The development of this center will help ASU-Newport further its mission of improving the quality of life of our community through education.”
The Emory Group has worked with the partners in this collaboration to develop a framework for the project. “Bringing high quality IT training to rural communities is one way to help grow and sustain small local economies,” said G.B. Cazes, owner of the Emory Group. “Working with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences, ASU-Newport, and the Newport Economic Development Commission, we hope to create a model that can be replicated in rural communities not only in Arkansas, but throughout the United States.” The Emory Group will continue to work and advise the center and to create a best-practices model to be shared with other communities.
If you are interested in an IT career, the center is currently accepting applications on Indeed.com for apprentices who are interested in a career as Data Analyst. This will be a paid full-time position based in Arkansas. The training program will consist of full-immersion training with classroom instruction and field experience. Due to current circumstances, the classroom training will be done remotely; when social distancing parameters are changed, however, much of the classroom training will be in-person at the new center. For more information, contact either the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences or the Newport Economic Development Commission.
The coalition is also seeking industry partners who would like to hire Arkansas talent for their IT jobs. Any business interested in partnering with the center to hire apprentices who would be trained to their industry-specific needs is welcome to enter into a training partnership with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences. To get more information or to become an industry partner, please contact either the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences or the Newport Economic Development Commission.
To learn more about career opportunities, please visit https://www.acds.co/careers
For more information on the center or the roles of the partners, please feel free to contact the following individuals:
Bill Yoder, Arkansas Center for Data Sciences, byoder@acds.co
Jeff Bookout, ASU-Newport, jeff_bookout@asun.edu
Jon Chadwell, Newport Economic Development Commission, director@newportaredc.org
G.B. Cazes, The Emory Group, gb@emorygroup.co
Jackson County Community Theatre!
There's No Place Like Local This Holiday!
Newport Christmas Parade The Newport Christmas parade will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023 beginning at 6 p.m. Entries are now being accepted at the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce for business and nonprofit organization floats, walking groups, antique vehicles, beauty queens, horseback riders, school clubs and organizations, etc. Participants will be traveling down Hwy. 69 to Malcolm Avenue then down to Village Mall parking lot. Awards will be given for first, second and third place for both the commercial and non-commercial categories. Entry is free, and participants may choose their own holiday theme. However, Santa Claus will be flying in early from the North Pole as the last entry in the parade, so please do not plan a “fake” Santa on your float. Float judging will begin no later than 5:30 p.m. Please include the name of your business or organization somewhere on your float for faster judging. Line up will be held in the parking lot across from Riceland Foods no sooner than 5 p.m. (McLain and Hwy. 69). Walkers and dance groups should line up on the Riceland side of Hwy. 69. Vehicles that are entered in the parade are to enter the parking lot from McLain Street and face toward Hwy. 69. There will be a line up crew on hand. The line up area will be very crowded. Those who are driving vehicles that will not be in the parade are asked to find parking on the Riceland side of Hwy. 69 and walk across to the line up area. If dropping off a parade participant, please do not enter the parking lot. If you are planning to watch the parade along the route with children, please make sure that they stay by the street curbs and not in the road for safety purposes. Immediately following the parade, there will be a drive-by Christmas display event at the home of Dr. Patti Mullins, 4 Sue Circle. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there. Enter by clicking the link below. Entry forms are also available at the Chamber office, 201 Hazel Street. Completed forms may be faxed to 523-1055, dropped off at the Chamber at 201 Hazel Street, or emailed to director@newportarchamber.org . In the event of inclement weather, parade participants will be notified of an alternate date. Parade Entry Form
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Newport Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet Thursday, August 10, 2023
NEDC Wins Settlement Worth $2.5 Million in Medical Marijuana Lawsuits For Immediate Release Newport Economic Development Commission Newport, Arkansas director@newportaredc.org The Newport Economic Development Commission won a settlement with a value of $2,518,015.00 yesterday in two separate lawsuits concerning the relocation of a medical marijuana cultivator previously located in Newport, Arkansas. In November of 2020, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission approved a transfer of Natural State Wellness, LLC’s license to Good Day Farms, LLC. At that same meeting, the Commission also approved a transfer of location, allowing the facility to move from Newport, Arkansas to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Jon Chadwell, Executive Director of the Newport Economic Development Commission made a formal request to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission to reverse the decision to move the facility. That request was denied. In April of 2021, Attorney David Couch, a Newport native, filed a lawsuit for plaintiffs the Newport Economic Development Commission; the City of Newport; the Newport Charitable Foundation and the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Bond Board against the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission; the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division; Good Day Farm, LLC; Natural State Wellness, LLC and Harvest Health and Recreation, Inc. in Circuit Court of Jackson County. The suit was to recoup economic damages caused by the relocation of the facility. That lawsuit was followed by another lawsuit in October of 2021 by Couch for the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Bond Board to recapture possession of the property sold to Natural State Wellness with all improvements, including the building constructed on the property by Natural State Wellness. The lawsuit against the property owner BLRS was moved to federal court. On February 22, 2023, a mediation process was held with Couch and Chadwell representing the plaintiffs and individuals and attorneys representing Harvest Health and Recreation, Inc. and Good Day Farms, LLC. Through the process, the defendants agreed to a settlement which returned the building and land to the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Bond Board, awarded $1,000,000 in cash restitution to the community and covered the legal fees and costs. The total value of the settlement is $2,518,015.00 which is being paid through a negotiated agreement between Harvest Health and Recreation, Inc. and Good Day Farms, LLC and a transfer of property from BRLS to the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Bond Board. “We feel vindicated to receive this settlement from Harvest Health and Good Day Farms on behalf of Newport,” stated Jon Chadwell. “We have many exceptional businesses in Newport that are significant partners in growing the community. However, when a business does not live up to its commitments, we feel obligated to take action behalf of the community.” Newport Mayor Derrick Ratliffe said, “The City of Newport has established a very pro-business environment and we are excited to have this building back under local control so we can use it to recruit another company to our community.” This settlement brings an end to the two-year process of seeking restitution for Newport and Jackson County.
