LITTLE ROCK – Capital projects to support expanded healthcare education and steel research at two Arkansas State University System institutions will advance following approval by Congress of $18.8 million in appropriations.
Funding includes two Senate appropriations initiated by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.:
• $9 million to build a Healthcare Simulation Building at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro that will help address maternal and infant health workforce shortages and regional health disparities.
• $7.7 million for construction of a Health Science Center at ASU-Newport with a focus on improving maternal and mental health outcomes.
An additional House appropriation of $2.1 million, initiated by U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., will support acquisition of equipment for the A-State Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing.
“Arkansans deserve to have their hard-earned tax dollars reinvested in their communities to help improve health outcomes including robust support for maternal and infant care, increase economic opportunity and transform critical infrastructure,” Senator Boozman said. “I am proud to have secured funding that would meet these critical needs throughout the state.”
Dr. Robin Myers, interim president of the ASU System, thanked Boozman, Crawford and the rest of the Arkansas congressional delegation for their support.
“These capital investments will make a long-term, positive impact on our ability to enhance the medical workforce throughout Arkansas,” Myers said. “We’re grateful for the leadership of Senator Boozman and Congressman Crawford in pursuing the initiatives on our behalf and expanding opportunities for students.
A-State will expand its current clinical simulation space and expand its ability to enroll and graduate nursing professionals. Additionally, the project will enable the Beck Center for Veterans, a service unit within the A-State College of Nursing and Health Professions, to provide mental telehealth support by social work faculty to remote and geographically isolated military veterans throughout Arkansas.
“This investment allows Arkansas State to expand our impact in a meaningful way by preparing more highly trained healthcare professionals to serve the communities that need them most,” A-State Chancellor Todd Shields said. “We appreciate Senator Boozman for his leadership and support, and for recognizing the role higher education plays in improving health outcomes and quality of life across Arkansas.”
The center at ASU-Newport will expand job opportunities in high-demand, high-wage careers while improving health outcomes in the Arkansas Delta. The state-of-the-art facility will replace its current training facility that is 45 years old.
“Our new nursing facility will help us meet the growing healthcare needs of our students, faculty, hospitals and the communities we serve,” said ASU-Newport Interim Chancellor Ike Wheeler. “We’re thankful for the financial support and initiative of Senator Boozman.”
Boozman previously led efforts to secure a $10 million federal appropriation to advance development of the Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing. A-State will use the combined federal funding to invest in high-tech equipment for a multimillion-dollar facility that will support Northeast Arkansas’ position as the largest steel producing region in the country.
Final plans and funding for all three projects will require approval of the ASU System Board of Trustees.