On Nov. 14, 2024, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas economic development leaders announced $48 million in grants to support workforce training programs.
Nineteen organizations, mostly colleges and universities, will receive funding aimed at preparing workers for Arkansas’s fast-growing industries, including lithium, steel production, and aerospace.
These grants, part of the Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development HIRED program, are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and are distributed by the state Department of Commerce and Workforce Connections.
Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald thanked Governor Sanders for prioritizing workforce development, emphasizing that this investment marks the beginning of ongoing efforts.
During the announcement, Sanders highlighted Arkansas’ job growth and the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. She also noted that the upcoming 2025 legislative session will focus on expanding higher education and job training.
Nearly half of the grant funding will support advanced manufacturing, while other sectors, including IT, skilled trades, precision agriculture, and emerging technologies, will also benefit. Arkansas State University ASU in Jonesboro received the largest grant, $7.5 million, to enhance steel production training, as part of a broader $10.5 million award to the ASU system.
ASU Chancellor Todd Shields emphasized the importance of collaboration between education, industry, and community leaders in driving innovation and growth. Governor Sanders underscored the goal of enabling Northeast Arkansas residents to secure high-paying jobs close to home.