March 13, 2008

East Arkansas Community College-Forrest City
Press Release-Photo Attached

East Arkansas Community College announced Wednesday that it will be the recipient of a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor as part of the $125 million granted to 69 community colleges and community-based institutions nationally. The grants were awarded through the President’s Community Based Job Training Grants Initiative.

Over the three year grant cycle, East Arkansas Community College will receive approximately $460,000 for implementation of the project aimed at the development of renewable energy technology, courses and programs. EACC was the beneficiary of the grant in addition to two other member colleges of the Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium (ADTEC). Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas located in Helena, Arkansas submitted the grant for the Consortium.

At EACC, the project will provide important programs of study, training materials, laboratory exercises, summer workshops for high school and college teachers and will be a resource for the other community colleges in the Delta region. The project will also support existing and future industry by developing education and training materials, facilitating workshops and conferences-all dedicated to the development of technologies that develop renewable energy resources and supporting technology.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for EACC to participate in and assist with the advancement of renewable energy and the requisite technology that will need to be developed,” said Dr. Jeff Watson, EACC Vice President for Academic Affairs. “It is one of the most important issues facing the U.S. today. We’re excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the new wave of educational and technological advances that will assist with the development of low cost, low emission, natural energy sources while simultaneously providing economic growth for the Arkansas agricultural industry.”

In early March, EACC received three engines that will be housed in the new Technology Center for use in developing and testing alternative fuels. “We’re in the process of getting these engines ready for use as a ‘test platform’ for biofuels. It’s going to be a really interesting process and we can’t wait to get started.”

The funding that EACC will receive over the three year grant cycle will also be used for scholarships, tuition and fees, training, laboratory equipment and for costs associated with personnel, maintenance and operations. “This DOL grant and the ADTEC Consortium is opening doors for educators and industries to be able to provide so many new options for workforce training, and industrial development. It’s an exciting time to be so closely involved with such an important project. This is an issue that affects us all,” said Watson.

Photo from left: Dr. Jeff Watson, Jack DeLoach and Jim Parker (both instructors at EACC) inspect one of the three engines that will be used for research in EACC’s Technology Center.