UA-Pulaski Technical College receives $2.5 million grant for STEM Park project

The U.S. Economic Development Administration was awarded Friday (Oct. 23) a $2.5 million grant to the University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College to launch the first phase of its STEM Park Project on the college’s main campus in North Little Rock.

UA-PTC will provide $653,230 in matching funds to remodel its existing Science building, labs, and classrooms.

“This is an incredible gift and opportunity for our college and for the State. It’s a huge win for students who receive training for STEM careers and a win for businesses with access to a deeper pool of trained employees.” said UA-PTC Chancellor Margaret Ellibee. “UA-PTC’s existing laboratory spaces can no longer serve student demand for our STEM classes, and we are turning away 200-300 students per semester due to inadequate and outdated facilities.”

The goal of the UA-PTC STEM Park Project is to ensure that UA-PTC will continue to be an integral partner in providing the highly skilled employees needed to maintain and grow the STEM-related professions and industries in Arkansas.

UA-PTC’s STEM programs, which include allied health-related careers, advanced manufacturing, business/IT, and cybersecurity tracks, contribute to the central Arkansas technological workforce.

Read the full story on the Talk Business & Politics website.