BATESVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Monday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. to celebrate the first phase of renovations at its Gateway Center. The public is invited to attend the event, which will feature tours of the updated facility and demonstrations of technical training programs.
Located at 2210 E. Main Street in Batesville, across from the city soccer fields, the Gateway Center is a 100,000-square-foot facility that nearly doubles UACCB’s physical footprint. Acquired by the college in 2023, the site sits on a 55-acre campus and aims to provide expanded opportunities for workforce development, agricultural education, and hands-on technical training in the region.
Among the programs the Gateway Center will support are Farm and Ranch Management (FARM), commercial driver’s license (CDL) training, heavy equipment operation, and customized training partnerships with local employers. The FARM program, which is partially funded through a $5 million HIRED grant awarded in 2024, integrates classroom instruction with practical training in agriculture and precision farming techniques.
College officials described the renovations and programming as a major investment in the region’s future, transforming a former industrial property into a hub for education and economic advancement. The facility is also expected to strengthen collaborations between UACCB and area industries.
The community is encouraged to attend the open house to explore the facility’s features and learn more about the programs it offers.