NWAEDD Contributes $7,500 to Support Student Lunch Program at North Arkansas College
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (NWAEDD) has contributed $7,500 to North Arkansas College to provide lunches for high school students enrolled in programs at the Northark Technical Center (NTC).
NTC offers area high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while receiving hands-on training in high-demand technical fields, including welding, robotics and manufacturing, healthcare, HVAC, and other skilled trades. These programs are offered at no cost to students. Tuition, fees, and textbooks are funded through support from the Arkansas Office of Skills Development.
However, many students must leave their home campuses before lunch periods begin, requiring them to either bring meals from home or purchase food upon arrival at NTC. The contribution from NWAEDD—matched by an anonymous donor—addresses this challenge by ensuring students have access to lunch at no cost. The funding is expected to provide meals through April.
Matt Urioste, Director of the Northark Technical Center and High School Relations, expressed appreciation for the support. “The students have been incredibly grateful,” Urioste said. “Many have personally expressed their thanks. We hope to identify long-term solutions to continue this service, but this contribution will make a meaningful difference in the months ahead.”
NWAEDD Executive Director Joe Willis emphasized the broader impact of the investment. “We are proud to support this important initiative,” Willis said. “These students are preparing for careers in high-demand industries that offer strong wages and long-term stability. Removing barriers that help them complete their training benefits not only the students, but our entire regional workforce. We view this as a strategic investment in the future of our community.”
The contribution was made possible through funds entrusted to NWAEDD by the Boone County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC). Upon dissolving in 2023, BCEDC transferred its remaining assets to NWAEDD with the commitment that the funds would support workforce development initiatives, including the new Center for Robotics Manufacturing & Innovation and other manufacturing-related efforts in the region.
To guide these investments, NWAEDD established a committee composed of community stakeholders representing education, industry, and economic development interests. The lunch program marks the first initiative approved by the committee.
For more information about NWAEDD and its workforce development initiatives, please contact Patty Methvin at 870-741-5404.
