UAFS Opens $6 Million Advanced Manufacturing Lab and Workforce Center
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith has launched a $6 million advanced manufacturing lab and workforce center to enhance job readiness in the Fort Smith area. This initiative, supported by state and federal funding, aims to address the skills gap and prepare workers for the manufacturing sector.
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The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) inaugurated an advanced manufacturing lab and workforce development center, with a total investment of nearly $6 million. This facility is part of a strategic effort to bolster advanced manufacturing jobs in the Fort Smith area, where manufacturing comprises approximately 17.5% of local employment.
Funding includes over $5.7 million from Arkansas' HIRED program, supplemented by a $1 million donation from ABB, which employs around 1,165 individuals locally. The lab will feature equipment like ABB Cobot FlexTrainers and RTS-200 robotics systems, aligned with industry standards.
Kendall Ross, UAFS associate vice chancellor, noted that manufacturing jobs in the region have decreased from 17,900 in February 2025 to 17,700. The new manufacturing academy aims to train unemployed or underemployed individuals for roles in production and assembly.
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