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For Immediate Release
February 6, 2026
Southern Arkansas University Tech Announces $20 Million Defense Manufacturing Center
of Excellence Investment
East Camden, Ark — Southern Arkansas University Tech Chancellor Dr. Jerry Thomas
announced today that the college has secured $20 million in federal funding to launch a Defense
Manufacturing Center of Excellence, strengthening workforce development and economic
growth in South Arkansas.
The investment includes $15 million for the construction of the new facility and $5 million for
advanced instructional and training equipment. The funding was secured through Fiscal Year
2026 appropriations with leadership from U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR).
The announcement was made during a press conference held on Friday in the SAU Tech Student
Center, attended by community leaders, education partners, business representatives, elected
officials, and members of the media.
“This $20 million investment is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Dr. Thomas. “It’s
about creating high-wage, high-demand careers right here in South Arkansas. Our graduates will
be prepared to step into $50,000-$75,000 jobs, strengthen our local economy, and help our
region compete at the highest level.”
The Defense Manufacturing Center of Excellence will include approximately 50,000 square feet
of modern instructional and training space designed to support aerospace, defense, and advanced
manufacturing education. The facility will feature advanced simulation and manufacturing
laboratories, flexible classrooms for rapid workforce training, high-bay industrial training areas,
and collaborative spaces for industry engagement. The center will be designed to adapt to
evolving workforce and technology needs, ensuring students receive hands-on training using
industry-standard equipment.
The new center will expand programs in advanced manufacturing, industrial systems,
automation, cybersecurity, and energy technologies, providing students with industry-aligned
training that prepares them to succeed on day one.
Ahead of the announcement, Senator Boozman shared the following statement:
“This funding is critical to help establish this innovative program and obtain the proper
equipment to train tomorrow’s aerospace and defense manufacturing workforce, further
bolstering Arkansas’s leading role in supporting our national defense. I was proud to champion
both components of this landmark project and am confident the result will demonstrate a
responsible use of taxpayer dollars to develop and strengthen our economy.”
Dr. Thomas emphasized that the center builds on recent state investments, including the HIRED
Grant, and aligns with regional industry partners such as Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, General
Dynamics, Raytheon, Armtec Defense, and R2S.
“This project reflects the confidence our partners have in SAU Tech and in South Arkansas,” Dr.
Thomas said. “Because of this investment, when employers are ready to grow, our workforce
will be ready to lead.”
The Center of Excellence is expected to train hundreds of skilled workers each year and
strengthen job creation and retention across multiple counties in South Arkansas, supporting
long-term regional economic competitiveness.
Boozman is Arkansas’s senior U.S. Senator and the dean of the state’s Congressional delegation,
as well as a Senate Appropriations Committee member and subcommittee chairman.
For more information about SAU Tech visit www.sautech.edu
February 6, 2026
Southern Arkansas University Tech Announces $20 Million Defense Manufacturing Center
of Excellence Investment
East Camden, Ark — Southern Arkansas University Tech Chancellor Dr. Jerry Thomas
announced today that the college has secured $20 million in federal funding to launch a Defense
Manufacturing Center of Excellence, strengthening workforce development and economic
growth in South Arkansas.
The investment includes $15 million for the construction of the new facility and $5 million for
advanced instructional and training equipment. The funding was secured through Fiscal Year
2026 appropriations with leadership from U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR).
The announcement was made during a press conference held on Friday in the SAU Tech Student
Center, attended by community leaders, education partners, business representatives, elected
officials, and members of the media.
“This $20 million investment is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Dr. Thomas. “It’s
about creating high-wage, high-demand careers right here in South Arkansas. Our graduates will
be prepared to step into $50,000-$75,000 jobs, strengthen our local economy, and help our
region compete at the highest level.”
The Defense Manufacturing Center of Excellence will include approximately 50,000 square feet
of modern instructional and training space designed to support aerospace, defense, and advanced
manufacturing education. The facility will feature advanced simulation and manufacturing
laboratories, flexible classrooms for rapid workforce training, high-bay industrial training areas,
and collaborative spaces for industry engagement. The center will be designed to adapt to
evolving workforce and technology needs, ensuring students receive hands-on training using
industry-standard equipment.
The new center will expand programs in advanced manufacturing, industrial systems,
automation, cybersecurity, and energy technologies, providing students with industry-aligned
training that prepares them to succeed on day one.
Ahead of the announcement, Senator Boozman shared the following statement:
“This funding is critical to help establish this innovative program and obtain the proper
equipment to train tomorrow’s aerospace and defense manufacturing workforce, further
bolstering Arkansas’s leading role in supporting our national defense. I was proud to champion
both components of this landmark project and am confident the result will demonstrate a
responsible use of taxpayer dollars to develop and strengthen our economy.”
Dr. Thomas emphasized that the center builds on recent state investments, including the HIRED
Grant, and aligns with regional industry partners such as Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, General
Dynamics, Raytheon, Armtec Defense, and R2S.
“This project reflects the confidence our partners have in SAU Tech and in South Arkansas,” Dr.
Thomas said. “Because of this investment, when employers are ready to grow, our workforce
will be ready to lead.”
The Center of Excellence is expected to train hundreds of skilled workers each year and
strengthen job creation and retention across multiple counties in South Arkansas, supporting
long-term regional economic competitiveness.
Boozman is Arkansas’s senior U.S. Senator and the dean of the state’s Congressional delegation,
as well as a Senate Appropriations Committee member and subcommittee chairman.
For more information about SAU Tech visit www.sautech.edu