A major investment in central Arkansas’ workforce is taking shape at the Port of Little Rock.
The University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC) announced plans to build a state-of-the-art workforce training center at the Port, a project made possible through $20 million in congressionally directed spending secured by U.S. Senator John Boozman. The initiative is a partnership with the Little Rock Regional Chamber and the Little Rock Port Authority, aimed at strengthening skilled talent pipelines for the region’s growing manufacturing and logistics sectors.
Funding for the center was included in the 2026 appropriations bills approved Feb. 2, positioning the project as a key piece of Arkansas’ long-term economic development strategy.
“This investment will equip the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College with the resources needed to train the next generation of Arkansans to step into skilled careers and support the success of existing companies at the Port of Little Rock,” said 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.”
The new facility will be constructed adjacent to the Little Rock Port Authority offices and is designed with future growth in mind. The expandable center will support workforce training programs tailored to the needs of current and future employers at the Port of Little Rock and throughout central Arkansas, helping Arkansans access stable, life-sustaining careers.
“Arkansas’ economy is growing fast, and the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College will help ensure that we have the workforce to keep up with the growth,” said Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “In the Natural State, our people are our greatest asset, and that’s why investing in Arkansas’ workforce has been a priority of my administration from the start. I am incredibly grateful to Senator Boozman for sharing that commitment and actively fighting to create opportunities for Arkansans in Washington D.C.”
Plans for the workforce training center include flexible, reconfigurable training spaces, modern instructional equipment, high-voltage lineman training areas, parking and a connecting plaza. The Little Rock Port Authority is providing the land for the project, reinforcing its role in supporting long-term workforce development and economic growth in the region.
Once completed, the center is expected to play a significant role in preparing Arkansans for in-demand careers while helping central Arkansas businesses remain competitive in an evolving economy.
According to the press release, through interviews conducted by the Little Rock Regional Chamber with area manufacturers representing nearly 7,000 employees, employers identified clear priorities for workforce training:
1. Customized training with equipment aligned to company processes
2. High-level, OEM (original equipment manufacturer)-specific instruction
3. Close proximity to Port operations
4. Flexible training hours
5. Dedicated space for professional development and career fairs
The press release states the center is designed specifically 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.
Feature Photo: For conceptual purposes only; the final project has not been designed | Credit: UA-PTC
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