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New Innovation Hub planned for Fayetteville squarePosted on Thursday, June 25 at 12:00 am
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub (www.arhub.org) and the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce (www.fayettevillear.com) today announced that they have formed a partnership to develop a new Innovation Hub in a building that the Chamber of Commerce is acquiring on the Fayetteville downtown square.

"I applaud this new partnership between the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub and the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce’s newly created NWA Innovation Hub for joining forces to better serve start-up businesses in Central and Northwest Arkansas," said Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.  "This is the type of partnership that links our state geographically, economically and intellectually. It also signals to entrepreneurs and creative thinkers outside our borders that Arkansas is fast becoming the 'innovation state.'"

"We are very excited about this opportunity to work with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce to bring our facilities and programs to Northwest Arkansas," said Warwick Sabin, executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. "Our mission is to extend access to entrepreneurial education and resources across the state, and this new partnership with the Fayetteville Chamber is a major step forward in that direction."

"The Chamber’s new maker space and Innovation Hub, in partnership with the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, is clear evidence of the growing entrepreneurial education opportunities and resources being created in our state," said Steve Clark, President and CEO of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. "Our partnership with the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub will only make the Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas innovation ecosystem stronger and further elevate the innovation culture throughout Arkansas. The Fayetteville Chamber looks forward to assisting and promoting the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in its mission to extend access to entrepreneurial education and resources throughout our state.  When we are working together, there is nothing Arkansas cannot do."

Through this new partnership, the Innovation Hub and the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce will develop a new Innovation Hub that will have facilities and programming that are comparable to those already established at the Innovation Hub's main headquarters location in North Little Rock. This includes the Launch Pad maker space, the Silver Mine entrepreneurial co-working and incubation space, the STEAM Lab classroom, and the Art Connection program.

The new Innovation Hub in Fayetteville will be located on the main downtown square at 21 West Mountain Street, which is being acquired by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. After renovations, the building will have 4,500 square feet of space dedicated to the Innovation Hub and its Launch Pad maker space.  All current tenants, such as Tiny Tim's Pizza and Jammin' Java, will remain in their current places.

The first phase of the new Innovation Hub will be the Launch Pad maker space on the lower floor of the renovated building. Like the original Launch Pad maker space in North Little Rock, the new facility will include 3-D printers, CnC machines, and other equipment for rapid design and prototyping. The Innovation Hub will direct the creation of the new space and assist with the development and implementation of the programming there.

Opening of the Launch Pad maker space is expected in the first quarter of 2016.

ABOUT ARKANSAS REGIONAL INNOVATION HUB

The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub (www.arhub.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing innovative and entrepreneurial activity in Arkansas by creating a collaborative ecosystem and pipelines that mobilize the resources, programs and educational opportunities necessary to develop, attract and retain talent and to build the state's economy.

ABOUT FAYETTEVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce (www.fayettevillear.com) was founded in 1889 and has 1,200 members. Its mission is to serve as the leader and advocate for our membership to promote a strong business climate and facilitate positive community interaction for continued economic development and enhance quality of life.

Let's congratulate Ellen for this great recognition!!  Read about it in this article in the Arkansas Business Journal.

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This article was written by Todd Gill of the Fayetteville Flyer.  

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This is an article written by Lauren Flick from CNBC which is a good read.

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Walton Arts Center announces a $500,000 gift from long-time supporter, The Starr Foundation and the Starr family. This gift is designated for the Investing in our Future: The Expansion of Walton Arts Center,  Walton Arts Center’s $23 million campaign to add 30,000 square feet of space, which includes a new and expanded atrium lobby that connects to Dickson Street, significant renovations and expansion of Starr Theater, increased space for back of the house technical and theatrical equipment and new administrative offices.

The goal is to complete the Dickson Street renovation by fall of 2016. Heavy construction of the main lobby and Starr Theater will occur during the off-peak summer months of 2015 and 2016 to minimize the impact on regular programming and ensure the arts center has a full season.

In recognition of their gift, the Starr family will be recognized on the Starr Concierge Counter, a central feature in the newly renovated and expanded lobby where patrons will purchase concessions and merchandise as well as pick up Will Call tickets or hearing devices.   

“Billie Jo Starr and the Starr Family have been a part of Walton Arts Center from the very beginning,” said Peter B. Lane, President and CEO of Walton Arts Center.  “ Billie Jo’s vision and passion pulled a community together to build and open the Walton Arts Center in 1992.  Her long term support for Walton Arts Center and this recent gift to the renovation will continue her legacy of supporting quality arts education programs that make a difference in people’s lives in Northwest Arkansas.”

Billie Jo Starr shared, “Our family wants every child to have the opportunity to participate and enjoy the arts.  Walton Arts Center has been a labor of love for many years, and it continues to be important to our family.  We want our children and grandchildren to attend performances here and bring their friends and classmates to the great education programs that are offered.  We are happy to give back to this community and hope others will join us as we complete this campaign.”

The Starr family has supported the arts center since the original capital campaign as well as through annual gifts and special projects such as Artosphere Festival and Arkansas History Through the Arts series.  

Additional private support is key to leveraging the generosity of The Starr Foundation and the Starr Family, the City of Fayetteville and its residents who voted in support of the Yes! Yes! Yes! Campaign. Walton Arts Center is excited about what the future holds and invites the community to join us as we plan for the future.

To learn more about giving opportunities to the Walton Arts Center, contact Missy Darwin Kincaid 479.571.2781.

Walton Arts Center announced today a $500,000 gift from General Mills. This gift is designated for the Investing in our Future: The Expansion of Walton Arts Center,  Walton Arts Center’s $23 million campaign to add 30,000 square feet of space, which includes a new and expanded atrium lobby that connects to Dickson Street, significant renovations and expansion of Starr Theater, increased space for back of the house technical and theatrical equipment, and new administrative offices. 

The goal is to complete the Dickson Street renovation by fall of 2016. Heavy construction of the main lobby and Starr Theater will occur during the off-peak summer months of 2015 and 2016 to minimize the impact on regular programming and ensure the arts center has a full season.

General Mills has been a supporter of the Walton Arts Center since 2003. Their sponsorship has focused on educational programming, concerts, and capital projects that benefit and strengthen our local communities. This gift will support Walton Arts Center by renaming the box office to the General Mills Box Office.

“General Mills has been a long-time sponsor of both Walton Arts Center and the Walmart AMP. Their partnership and support has helped fulfill our mission of bringing great performing artists and entertainers from all over the world to the region,” said Peter B. Lane, president and CEO of Walton Arts Center. “The new General Mills Box Office will welcome our patrons attending the renovated Fayetteville campus. Thanks to this very generous gift, General Mills and Walton Arts Center will continue collaborating to create a world class venue where people of all ages can enjoy great entertainment and increasing their access to the arts.”

“Much like our mission of Nourishing Lives, Walton Arts Center is working to nourish the lives of the community by bringing arts and culture to our area,” said Adam Dill, Vice President of Sales for General Mills. “We are proud to support the expansion efforts and investing in the future of the Walton Arts Center with this contribution. We look forward to seeing the completion of the renovations in fall of 2016.”

Private support is key to leveraging the generosity of General Mills, the City of Fayetteville and its residents who voted in support of the Yes! Yes! Yes! Campaign. Walton Arts Center is excited about what the future holds and invites the community to join us as we plan for the future.

To learn more about giving opportunities to the Walton Arts Center, contact Missy Darwin Kincaid 479.571.2781.