The University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College on Wednesday announced plans to build a workforce training center at the Little Rock Port with $20 million in federal funds.
The funds are part of a fiscal year 2026 appropriations package passed by the U.S. Senate last week.
The port facility will support workforce training programs that “elevate income opportunities” for Arkansans by offering manufacturing and logistics training that meets the needs of current and future employers in central Arkansas, Pulaski Tech said in a news release. The building will include high-voltage lineman training areas, parking and a connecting plaza.
A Pulaski Tech spokesman said the facility is estimated to be around 45,000 SF, but the size is subject to change. No construction timeline had been set.
The Little Rock Regional Chamber and Little Rock Port Authority are partners on the project. The latter organization is providing land for the facility.
Funding was secured by U.S. Sen. John Boozman. “I was proud to champion funding for a modern workforce training venue to help workers gain in-demand skills, ensure Arkansans have access to good-paying jobs, and support growth and expansion opportunities that will greatly benefit our economy,” he said in a statement.
‘Urgent Demand’
The release said Arkansas faces an “urgent demand” for workers in manufacturing, industrial and logistics jobs, but many people outside the workforce lack the skills and credentials needed to fill the positions.
Through interviews with area manufacturers representing nearly 7,000 employees, the chamber identified clear priorities for workforce training:
- Customized training with equipment aligned to company processes
- High-level, original equipment manufacturer-specific instruction
- Close proximity to port operations
- Flexible training hours
- Dedicated space for professional development and career fairs
The center is designed to meet these needs, offering adaptable space capable of supporting abbreviated process lines, advanced manufacturing training, robotics and automation instruction, and large-scale career fairs — capacity that does not currently exist within available facilities serving the port.
“This facility represents a quantum leap in our ability to deliver this service,” Pulaski Tech Chancellor Summer DeProw said in the release.
About 11,000 workers from 48 Arkansas counties commute to the Little Rock Port for work, highlighting its role as a major economic engine for central Arkansas.
Manufacturers including Elopak and Welspun recently announced major expansions of their port facilities, while Faymonville Group expects to begin operations soon at the port.
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