'Build it and they will come'

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"Build it and they will come"

08/20/2024

Newport Tech Depot seeing unexpected growth in northeast Arkansas

The Newport Tech Depot in northeast Arkansas is living out its own version of the movie, Field of Dreams.

The facility began operations in 2020 in a temporary building in downtown Newport, Arkansas, as an IT training center and a co-working space for entrepreneurs and remote workers. Since then, it has become so much more.

At its new facility this year, the Tech Depot started offering training with a goal of having 500 people receive training by the end of the year. That goal has been shattered with an attendance count of over 1,100 persons in just the first half of the year.

"We have become a magnet for training," said Jon Chadwell, director of Economic Development for the Newport Economic Development Commission. "It's just really been kind of incredible to watch this thing unfold. We have been able to partner with more organizations for training than we projected."

Entergy Arkansas played a huge part of getting the depot started, and the company continues to be a big supporter, including a two-year funding commitment totaling $100,000.

"Northeastern Arkansas is growing, and the Newport Tech Depot is an increasingly important part of the region's success," said Danny Games, director of business and economic development for Entergy Arkansas. "With the growth of industry and related businesses in Jackson County and surrounding counties, having qualified workers is critical in helping the region thrive."

Training at the depot has run the gamut from computer training to self-defense. Classes include office skills, drone technology, corrections officer training, industrial maintenance recertification, small business development consulting, CPR for small business, transitioning from recovery to employment, ACT Bootcamp and much more.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration's Austin Regional Office recently awarded Newport's Tech Depot Project the coveted Star of the Southwest Award.

Chadwell said government and community support has been overwhelming, as well as many sponsors who made it possible.

"Entergy Arkansas' sponsorship is making a huge difference in the lives of people in Newport and our region," Chadwell told Entergy Arkansas employees recently. "Thank you for your belief in our dream through the investment you made. The investment is paying off in the lives of people in our community who are daily using the facility to create a better quality of life for their families."