JONESBORO – Construction of the Career Readiness Education and Skills Training (CREST) Center continues near Aggie Road and Red Wolf Boulevard on the Arkansas State University (A-State) campus. On Friday, community members, industry partners, and educators gathered at a ceremony to celebrate progress on the facility, which aims to bolster workforce development in Northeast Arkansas.
“By connecting education and training to the needs of our region’s employers, we are creating pathways for students and working adults to gain valuable skills, earn stackable credentials, and advance their careers,” said A-State Chancellor Calvin White Jr. He emphasized that the CREST Center will help meet the demands of local industries by preparing a skilled workforce.
The center represents a partnership between A-State, ASU-Newport, and Arkansas Northeastern College, uniting their efforts toward strengthening the regional workforce. ASU-Newport Chancellor Ike Wheeler described the initiative as more than just a building. “CREST represents more than a brick-and-mortar structure; it is the embodiment of a shared dream brought to life through collaboration, partnership, and the desire to create opportunities for others,” said Wheeler.
Arkansas Northeastern College President Dr. Chris Heigle noted the transformative potential of the center, especially given his institution’s success in preparing students for high-demand careers in the steel industry. “We offer one of the highest-performing credentials in Arkansas, connecting students to life-changing wages in as little as six months,” Heigle said. “Today, we are proud to bring that opportunity to Jonesboro, the CREST Center, and our partnership with A-State and ASU-Newport.”
State and local officials also recognized the long-term value of the facility. Dr. Ken Warden, commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education, underscored the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions. “When educational institutions think together and act together, it benefits everyone,” said Warden. “If we do it right, there are opportunities for students and for people in this region and beyond that would not exist for future generations without this investment.”
Hytrol Conveyor Co., a key industry partner, has supported the CREST Center’s mission from its inception. Philip Poston, the company’s chief administrative officer, commended its design and strategic location. “Thousands of families, students, and visitors will travel down Red Wolf Boulevard and see the CREST building. My hope is that a high school student drives by with their parent, learns about manufacturing, and views it as a technology-driven career with real opportunities,” said Poston.
The first phase of the project received $7.5 million from the Arkansas Department of Commerce’s Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) program. Additional funding has come from local organizations and government partners, including Craighead County, Jonesboro Unlimited, Workforce Training Consortium, and Hytrol. Craighead County Judge Marvin Day highlighted the impact the center could have on young adults in the area. “Through facilities like this, it gives young adults a place to start to move themselves forward. Our young adults need the opportunity to have a better job than what a high school education can provide,” Day said.
Other speakers included Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford, A-State Provost Dr. Will McLean, Jonesboro Unlimited President Mark Young, and Southern Bancorp Tax Credit Executive William G. Wright. Wheeler concluded the event by emphasizing the center's profound potential. “Together, this structure and this program will build more than careers; they are crafting futures, transforming generations, and making an economic impact that will last well into the future,” said Wheeler.
The CREST Center is expected to become a cornerstone in workforce development, providing opportunities for students and workers across the region.