Warwick Sabin speaks at a news conference announcing the combination of the Regional Innovation Hub and Winrock International.
The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub is becoming part of Winrock International of Little Rock, which is undertaking a “strategic reorganization of its U.S. and Arkansas programs.”
As part of the merger, Warwick Sabin, a state representative who is also the executive director of the Innovation Hub, will become senior director of U.S. programs at Winrock.
“Our goal was to develop in innovative ways and we’ve created a dynamic model for that,” Sabin said. “This will elevate and amplify the impact of the Innovation Hub. Arkansas can continue to be a leader in this new chapter and we couldn’t be more proud and thankful.”
According to Sabin, discussions about a potential partnership began almost a year ago and he was “thrilled at the possibility.”
“Two of Arkansas’ most interesting and innovative nonprofits are coming together and this has not only local, but national and international implications as well,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who attended the announcement at Winrock’s Riverdale offices. “This will spur real economic and community growth in our state and signals that Arkansas’ impact on the world will continue to grow. I’m especially intrigued by what this could mean in terms of workforce training, manufacturing, agriculture and, especially, the Arkansas knowledge industry.”
Hutchinson said that this partnership will create momentum to maintain the state’s historically low unemployment rate, which was 3.9 percent in April.
“I’m here because this is important for the state of Arkansas,” he said. “I know as I travel this state that we have to innovate everyday. This will create momentum for job creation and innovation. This is a good partnership. With Winrock’s global relationship — I like to say that you can run the world from Arkansas if you’re connected. I’m excited about this.”
Sabin, who joined the Innovation Hub in 2013, said the organization can bring a new dimension to Winrock’s U.S. programs.
“This is an opportunity to further establish Arkansas as a global leader in innovative strategies for community and economic development, thereby sustaining and honoring the legacy of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller,” he said.
Bronson Van Wyck, a board member at Winrock International, said the partnership will be beneficial to both parties.
“Winrock is all about innovation and ideas, but we’re more about getting that seed planted,” Van Wyck said.
Winrock ranked 15th on Arkansas Business’ most recent list of the state’s largest nonprofits, published in 2014. For calendar year 2014, it reported $97.5 million in revenue and $99.3 million in assets. Its 120 programs in 46 countries aim to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources.
In a news release, the organization said combining with the Innovation Hub “will create opportunities not only in the fast-growing maker movement, but in community development, job and workforce training, agriculture, environment and other areas.”
The Innovation Hub, headquartered in the Argenta district of North Little Rock, aims to promote economic development through entrepreneurship. Announced in 2013, the organization and its array of educational and entrepreneurial programs have become a cornerstone of the state’s startup scene.
As leader of Winrock’s U.S. programs, Sabin “will be responsible for fostering strong economic growth in disadvantaged communities and supporting entrepreneurship as a strategy for job creation and workforce development,” the organization said. He succeeds Annett Pagan, who retired from Winrock after 20 years leading U.S. programs.
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