Metroplan awards $17.35 million for road projects in Central Arkansas

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Metroplan has awarded nine cities and two counties surface transportation block grant grants totaling $17.35 million, to design or construct transportation projects around Central Arkansas. The projects include a $400,000 grant for the city of Benton to design improvements to Congo Road from Shenandoah Road to Longhills Road.

The city of Bryant was awarded $220,000 for design on the Bryant Parkway Trail. Cabot will receive $480,000 to design improvements to Kerr Station Road from Campground Road to Highway 321.

Conway was awarded $1 million in supplemental funding for the Salem Road Bridge. The city also received $1 million for additional design on the upcoming Connect Conway trail project.

Metroplan awards $17.35 million for road projects in Central Arkansas

UA-Pulaski Tech releases study showing $258 million impact on central Arkansas

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College released a study conducted by Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics, that estimates a $258 million economic impact on central Arkansas.

The college’s operations across all four of its locations, student spending, and alumni contributions collectively generated $257.9 million in added income for the UA-PTC Service Area (defined as Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski, and Saline counties) during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. This represents approximately 0.6% of the region’s total gross regional product (GRP).

“At UA–Pulaski Tech, we focus on meeting the educational needs of the community one student at a time, one day at a time,” said Chancellor Summer DeProw. “The sum of these individual interactions over time is immense, and this study demonstrates how student success translates to a measurable and significant return on investment for taxpayers and other stakeholders across the region.”

UA-Pulaski Tech releases study showing $258 million impact on central Arkansas

Representative French Hill announces recipients of the 2024 Education Achievement Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today announced the high school recipients of his 2024 Education Achievement Award. There were 38 honorees throughout central Arkansas this year.

“I am proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Education Achievement Award. These bright students have worked tirelessly towards success in their studies and in their communities. I am inspired by the success and determination shown by each of these students and I wish them the best in all their future endeavors.” 

2024 Education Awards:

 Kady Beth Jacks (Bauxite High School), Caden Treat (Bauxite High School), Isabel Butler (Benton High School), Kaleb Marshall (Benton High School), Bennett Wilson (Bigelow High School), Maricka Farr (Bryant High School), Cole Giompoletti (Bryant High School), Laiken Cornett (Concord High School), Josey Sutherland (Concord High School), Annalise Montgomery (Conway High School), Avery Ferguson (Conway High School), Matthew Vano (Episcopal Collegiate), Willow Wagner (Episcopal Collegiate), Chanley Wood (Greenbrier High School), Kyla Hinton (Greenbrier High School), Lexie Wells (Harmony Grove High School), Tristen Hogan (Harmony Grove High School), Yahya Younus (Little Rock Central High School), Jadon Sanders (Little Rock Central High School), Khushi Patil (Little Rock Central High School), Ally Ballard (Little Rock Christian Academy), Kaiden Fox (Little Rock Christian Academy), Christian McGill (Maumelle Charter High School), Kerrigan Quast (Maumelle Charter High School), Bailey Mason (Maumelle High School), Victoria Barksdale (Mayflower High School), Aarya Patel (Morrilton High School), Julie Russell (Morrilton High School), Annabelle Angtuaco (Mount St. Mary Academy), Elizabeth Hunter (Mount St. Mary Academy), Rylee Ramsey (Pangburn High School), Cole Ramsey (Pangburn High School), Macey Chambers (Perryville High School), Zava Payne (Perryville High School), Jack Lowenthal (Pulaski Academy), Brooke Beckemeyer (Pulaski Academy), Reid Brafford (Shirley High School), Abigail Hensley (Shirley High School). 

Further Background:

 The Education Achievement Award is available to one senior and one junior from each high school in the Second Congressional District, nominated by either their counselor or principal. This award is designed to recognize those students who have shown a commitment to high academic achievement, as well as contributions to their schools and communities. Students were selected based on these qualifications: 

• Academics: Achievement of at least 3.5/4.0 GPA (or the equivalent)

• Community Service: Demonstrated commitment to the betterment of one’s community through projects with, for example, Scouting groups, Student Government Association, other volunteer organizations, etc.

• Leadership & Teamwork: Demonstrated leadership and teamwork through, for example, extracurricular activities such as athletic teams, school clubs, etc.

De Queen non-profit donates to Spanish Spelling Bee in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

DE QUEEN, AR— An inclusive group in Southwest Arkansas has provided Sponsorship of the Central Arkansas Spanish Spelling Bee this Hispanic Heritage month.

MAC is a De Queen-based non-profit organization with a focus on diversity and inclusion that formed in 2020. The group has initiated local programs and projects throughout Southwest Arkansas in recent years, including the commissioning of community artwork, hosting a black history month celebration, sponsoring foster care children, support of the E. A Edwards Street Dedication, and many local community initiatives.

For their latest outreach effort, MAC has teamed up with LaTasha Moore of "Tasha Teaches Spanish" for sponsorship of the state's Spanish spelling Bee. It is the only Spanish spelling competition in Arkansas, and the purpose of this event is to encourage students in 4th-8th grade to practice use of the Spanish language while embracing Hispanic culture.

Last year, the inaugural competition had 4 participants, and registration for this year's Bee has more than tripled with 15 students registered to compete.

Though the event is titled the "Central Arkansas Spanish Spelling Bee," program organizers welcome students from all over the state to participate. As the city of De Queen has an estimated Hispanic population of more than 60%, MAC members have supported this event in hopes that students from the De Queen area will participate in the future and represent the Southwestern Region of Arkansas.

All funds donated to the Spanish spelling Bee go to the planning of the event, as well as providing funding to send the state winner to the national competition in 2023.

MAC and event organizers would like to express appreciation to all who advocate for the Spanish language across the natural state and support this educational opportunity for Arkansas youth.

The Central Arkansas Spanish Spelling Bee will be held Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, at 9:00 am at Plaza Frida, 4001 West 65th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72209.

"Tasha Teaches Spanish" provides translation services, language education programs, and community partnership opportunities. The company was named as a finalist for the Little Rock Regional Chamber's 2022 Minority Business of The Year award. For more information about the Central Arkansas Spelling Bee or opportunities to learn with LaTasha, visit tashateachesspanish.com or email questions to tashateachesspanish@gmail.com

For more information about MAC, email DQunity@gmail.com