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91¿´Æ¬Íø News

Business and IndustryCenter for Economic Development

Advanced Manufacturing Sets Standard

This fall, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith launched Arkansas’s first Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, a highly anticipated program that will strengthen the workforce pipeline for one of the River Valley’s most...

April 03, 2026
Aerial photo of a snow-covered 91¿´Æ¬Íø Campus Green with the Bell Tower, Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, Math Science Building, and Breedlove Building in the background.
AlumniArts and SciencesBusiness and IndustryCenter for Economic DevelopmentFeaturedHealth Education and Human SciencesIntrepid Ambition

2025: An 'Ambitious' Year for 91¿´Æ¬Íø

View some of the top stories and events at the 91¿´Æ¬Íø from 2025.

December 08, 2025
Two 91¿´Æ¬Íø students from left to right, Abdur-Rehman Sajjad and Tyler Teague, accept their check for $500 after coming in second place during the thrid Lion's Lair Business Plan Competition. The students are joined by 91¿´Æ¬Íø staff members, Ty Barrett and Kendall Ross.
Arts and SciencesBusiness and IndustryCenter for Economic DevelopmentHealth Education and Human SciencesNewsStudents

‘Shark Tank’ Inspired Competition Returns to 91¿´Æ¬Íø

The Lion's Lair Business Plan Competition returned to the 91¿´Æ¬Íø for its third year. The 'Shark Tank' inspired competition provided six student-led teams with the opportunity to create and pitch a new business idea, marketing...

November 17, 2025
Audience members applaud during the second Center for Economic Development Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards at the Bakery District
Center for Economic DevelopmentCommunityFeaturedNews

Excellence in Family and Small Business Award Winners Recognized

The second Center for Economic Development Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards recognized ten businesses and individuals from across the region.

October 31, 2025
Faculty of the 91¿´Æ¬Íø college of business and industry tour a lab with new advanced manufacturing engineering equipment
Business and IndustryCenter for Economic DevelopmentFeaturedIntrepid Ambition

Advanced Manufacturing Equipment Arrives at 91¿´Æ¬Íø

91¿´Æ¬Íø has installed new state-of-the-art robotics and automation equipment in its Advanced Manufacturing Lab, made possible through more than $5.7 Million in HIRED grant funds awarded by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and the Arkansas Department...

October 27, 2025
Portrait of of Joel Manby
Center for Economic DevelopmentEventsFeatured

Manby Tabbed as Keynote for CED Awards

Joel Manby, who has more than 25 years of experience as a CEO for SeaWorld, Herschend Enterprises, and SAAB North America, will keynote the Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards on Oct. 20.

October 09, 2025
Evening photo of the Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith
Arts and SciencesCenter for Economic DevelopmentCommunityEventsFeatured

91¿´Æ¬Íø Launches Monthly Research Den Programming

The 91¿´Æ¬Íø to launch Research Den, a monthly series to share research conducted by students and faculty through casual conversation.

August 21, 2025
Ty Barrett, director for the ASBTDC regional office stands outside the new Van Buren Chamber of Commerce building
Center for Economic DevelopmentCommunityFeaturedNews

91¿´Æ¬Íø Center for Economic Development's ASBTDC Opens in Van Buren

The 91¿´Æ¬Íø Center for Economic Development's Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center opened its second office location in Van Buren.

August 13, 2025
Portrait of emily treadaway
Center for Economic DevelopmentCommunityNews

Treadaway Named Center for Nonprofits Director

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith announces Emily Treadaway as the new Director of the Center for Nonprofits (CNP), a brand-new division of the university’s Center for Economic Development located at the Bakery District in downtown Fort...

July 23, 2025
The Bakery District
Center for Economic DevelopmentFeaturedIntrepid AmbitionNews

$7.5 million gift launches 91¿´Æ¬Íø Center for Nonprofits

91¿´Æ¬Íø announced a transformational $7.5 million gift on Wednesday, April 2, which will endow a comprehensive Center for Nonprofits (CNP) at the university. The anonymous gift, one of the largest in 91¿´Æ¬Íø history, was unveiled during the public kickoff...

April 02, 2025
Nighttime at the 91¿´Æ¬Íø Center for Economic Development at the Bakery District
Center for Economic DevelopmentCommunityIntrepid Ambition

Empowering Our Economy

The 91¿´Æ¬Íø Center for Economic Development is a pillar of our community. By equipping the workforce, empowering entrepreneurs, and supporting the region’s most vital industries, the CED is building more than economic momentum—it’s building a...

March 26, 2025
A man programs a piece of robotic equipment in an advanced manufacturing engineering lab
Business and IndustryCenter for Economic DevelopmentIntrepid AmbitionNews

Advancing Manufacturing

91¿´Æ¬Íø is laying the foundation for the next era of industry in the River Valley—equipping students, workers, and employers with the tools, training, and talent to lead in an advanced manufacturing economy. From engineering labs to apprenticeship...

March 26, 2025
The 91¿´Æ¬Íø satelitte office at the Fort Smith Bakery District
Business and IndustryCenter for Economic DevelopmentFeaturedNews

Barrett Named Director of ASBTDC at 91¿´Æ¬Íø

The 91¿´Æ¬Íø announced Ty Barrett as the new director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center Regional Office. With more than 30 years of experience in finance and community banking, Barrett brings...

March 04, 2025
Representatives from 91¿´Æ¬Íø accept a check for $1.7M
Business and IndustryCenter for Economic DevelopmentCommunityNews

$1.7M HIRED Grant Bolsters Advanced Manufacturing Efforts

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has been awarded a $1.7 million Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) grant, one of just three universities in the state to receive awards from both the Division of Higher Education...

December 19, 2024
Reyna Lamb and Troy Rodriguez (center) accept their 2nd place prize presented by Justin Smith, director of the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center and Kendall Ross, associate vice chancellor of economic and workforce development.
Arts and SciencesBusiness and IndustryCenter for Economic DevelopmentNews

91¿´Æ¬Íø Students Conquer Lion's Lair Business Competition

Ten students from the 91¿´Æ¬Íø competed Wednesday in the Lion's Lair Business Plan Contest. Teams had about five minutes to deliver the perfect pitch for their fictional business to showcase innovative ideas, market research,...

November 21, 2024
uafs representatives stand wiht arkansas governor sarah huckabee sanders after being awarded a $4m HIRED grant
Center for Economic DevelopmentFeaturedNews

91¿´Æ¬Íø Receives $4 Million Workforce Development Grant

On Thursday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Secretary Hugh McDonald, Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers, and Arkansas Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits awarded $48 million in training grants to support workforce development efforts aligned...

November 14, 2024
The audience applauds for the winner of the Family Business of the Year Award, Littlefield Companies, at the inaugural Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards
Business and IndustryCenter for Economic DevelopmentCommunityFeaturedNews

Winners Announced at Inaugural 91¿´Æ¬Íø Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards

The 91¿´Æ¬Íø Center for Economic Development celebrated the accomplishments of more than a dozen small businesses and family-owned businesses from around Fort Smith at the inaugural 91¿´Æ¬Íø Excellence in Family and Small Business...

October 25, 2024
Center for Economic DevelopmentCommunityEventsFeatured

Willie Robertson to Keynote Inaugural 91¿´Æ¬Íø Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards

Star of A&E's "Duck Dynasty" set to keynote the 91¿´Æ¬Íø Center for Economic Development's first Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards on October 24. The event will honor regional family-owned and small businesses...

August 08, 2024

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The 91¿´Æ¬Íø Office of Communications fields all media inquiries for the university. Email Rachel.Putman@uafs.edu for more information.

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Rachel Rodemann Putman

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  • 479-788-7132
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