UAFS Center for Economic Development

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

❗Only 9 seats left!

Need your OSHA 30 certification? Join us this June for OSHA 30 training at UAFS!

Participants will complete the full OSHA 30 course and receive their official OSHA 30 cards at the end of training.

June 8–11
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
$349 — lunch included!

Register today: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofArkansasFortSmithCenterforEconomicDevelopment/events/osha-30-june-2026

05/27/2026

UAFS is teaming up with Keathley-Patterson for a Safety Matters event focused on industrial safety systems and best practices.

Participants will have the opportunity to choose two hands-on lab sessions covering topics like safety relays, safety controllers, Safe Torque Off (STO), and new product updates. This event is designed to provide practical technical knowledge for professionals working in industrial and manufacturing environments.

Register Here: https://events.yourkpsolutions.com/safetymattersfortsmith2026

05/26/2026

Build the skills to lead process improvement projects with our Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification course.

This training will help professionals learn how to reduce waste, improve quality, and drive better business outcomes using Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Topics include DMAIC project management, process mapping, Voice of the Customer (VOC), root cause analysis, risk analysis, and more.

Tuesdays & Thursdays: June 2–25
1 – 5 p.m.
Registration Fee: $949

Register here: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofArkansasFortSmithCenterforEconomicDevelopment/events/lean-six-sigma-green-belt-june-2026

05/25/2026

Level up your leadership skills this summer with our condensed GRIT Workplace Leadership Series!

This accelerated format covers the same impactful content in just TWO weeks instead of the regular four. Topics include behavior styles & communication, performance management, coaching, and workplace compliance.

Wednesdays & Thursdays: June 3, 4, 10 & 11
8 a.m. – Noon
Registration Fee: $379

Register here: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofArkansasFortSmithCenterforEconomicDevelopment/events/grit-workplace-leadership-june-2026-condensed

05/22/2026

How can philanthropy strengthen not only a community, but also the long-term legacy and leadership of a family business?

Join the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center for our June Quarterly Breakfast:

Philanthropy with Purpose – Strengthening Legacy and Leadership in Family Enterprise

Presented by First National Bank (F1RSTNB) Trust & Wealth Management, this breakfast will explore how intentional, structured philanthropy can support:
• family values
• next-generation leadership development
• succession planning
• governance
• long-term enterprise legacy

The morning will feature a brief presentation followed by an interactive panel discussion with experienced leaders in wealth management, estate planning, tax strategy, governance, and philanthropy.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
8:00 – 9:30 AM
UAFS Center for Economic Development at The Bakery District

Enjoy breakfast, networking, and a thoughtful discussion designed specifically for family business leaders and advisors.

Reserve your seat today: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofArkansasFortSmithCenterforEconomicDevelopment/events/jwfec-june-quarterly-breakfast-2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

🚨 New Member Badges Just Dropped 🚨

Are you a member of the Center for Nonprofits?

Our NEW member badges are out, and we are so excited for our nonprofit partners to show them off! 💙

Not a member yet? Check out everything the Center for Nonprofits has to offer and find out how YOU can get your own badge! ✨

Link: https://uafs.edu/ced/cnp/index.php

Thanks Antioch for Youth & Family for showing off!

This badge recognizes that you are an official member of the Center for Nonprofits and that your organization is a legitimate 501(c)(3) nonprofit, recognized and in good standing with both the State of Arkansas and the IRS.
You should be incredibly proud of the dedication it takes—not only to serve your community, but also to stay current with the state and federal requirements that protect and sustain your nonprofit status

05/07/2026

What a great morning at the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Panel Breakfast! We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for today’s conversation on business transition, succession, and planning for what’s next. 🤓

A huge thank you to our incredible panelists for sharing their real-world experiences, insight, and advice with attendees. Conversations like these are invaluable for family businesses planning for the future, and we appreciate each of you helping make today such a success!

05/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the grand opening of our centers for Workforce Development and Advanced Manufacturing today!

We are so grateful to serve as a hub for the industries of the River Valley, and thrilled to have had so many leaders join us today as we cut the ribbon on these important new learning spaces.

05/01/2026

The news is out! We can’t wait to see everyone on Monday, May 4th for our open house! ⚙️💙🦁

There is still time to RSVP here: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofArkansasFortSmithCenterforEconomicDevelopment/events/open-house-uafs-workforce-development-and-advanced-manufacturing-center

https://share.google/GeC43lPrSkPXW7ymr

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will celebrate the opening of its new Workforce Development Center with an open house and ribbon cutting from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 4. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders will keynote the celebration, with remarks beginning at 11 a.m.