Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster

10/12/2026

⚡ LRIC Venture Spotlight: Arcam

This week, we’re highlighting Arcam, an LRIC venture advancing battery upcycling technology to recover critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap.

By turning end-of-life materials into valuable resources, Arcam is helping build a more circular and resilient domestic battery supply chain—and we’re proud to have them as part of the LRIC network.

Learn more about Arcam at arcam.tech and discover the LRIC network at lithiumric.org.

10/05/2026

⚡ LRIC Venture Spotlight: ACT-ion Battery Technologies

This week, we’re highlighting ACT-ion Battery Technologies, an LRIC venture advancing innovative manufacturing technology for next-generation battery materials.

ACT-ion is working to strengthen the domestic battery supply chain through scalable, high-performance solutions—and we’re proud to have them as part of the LRIC network.

Learn more about ACT-ion at act-ion.com and discover the LRIC network at lithiumric.org.

10/03/2026

Come out and see our chili cooking team today at the Magnolia Fall Fest! They’ve got a great batch of chili going and some info about how to get involved with the Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster!

09/28/2026

⚡ LRIC Venture Spotlight: Princeton Critical Minerals

This week, we’re highlighting Princeton Critical Minerals (PCM), an LRIC venture developing innovative technologies for the extraction and purification of lithium and other critical minerals from brine sources.

PCM is working to help strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains through scalable technology—and we’re proud to have them as part of the LRIC network.

Learn more about PCM at pcmtech.com and discover the LRIC network at lithiumric.org.

09/25/2026

⚡ LRIC on the road in Southwest Arkansas!

One of the strengths of the Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster is staying connected to the communities that are helping shape our region’s growth.

LRIC Program Manager Florence Meadors joined the Southwest Arkansas Development Alliance (SADA) for its September meeting in El Dorado, hosted by Steven Jones and the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce.

Following the meeting, the group had the opportunity to tour the Murphy Arts District and visit the Arkansas 9/11 Memorial—getting a closer look at the people, places, and investments that make El Dorado such an important part of Southwest Arkansas.

As the lithium and critical minerals industry continues to grow, strong communities and regional collaboration will remain an important part of building lasting economic opportunity throughout our region.

Thank you to SADA, Steven, and the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce for a great afternoon!

09/24/2026

⚡ It’s been a big month for the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator (ALTA) cohort—and for LRIC!

Over the past month, cohort members have traveled across Arkansas for programming in South Arkansas, Central Arkansas, and Northwest Arkansas, connecting with industry leaders, ecosystem partners, and one another as they continue moving their technologies and businesses forward.

We’re especially proud that every company participating in this year’s ALTA cohort is also an LRIC venture. These companies represent innovative technologies and capabilities across the lithium and battery value chain, and supporting their growth and commercialization is exactly what the LRIC network was built to do.

LRIC Program Manager Florence Meadors had the opportunity to present to cohort members during the South Arkansas programming, while Startup Junkie’s Jeff Amerine connected with and presented to the cohort during their Northwest Arkansas sessions.

From learning more about Arkansas’s emerging lithium industry to conversations around commercialization, scaling, partnerships, and what it takes to bring new technologies to market, ALTA Cohort Month has been a great example of what can happen when innovation and ecosystem support come together.

We’re proud to have ACT-ion Battery Technologies, Princeton Critical Minerals, and Arcam as part of the LRIC network, and we’re excited to continue supporting these ventures long after the cohort ends. ⚡

09/21/2026

⚡ LRIC was proud to be part of Fouke Information Night last Friday!

This community event brought together residents, local leaders, industry, and regional partners to talk about lithium development, answer questions, and share more about the opportunities emerging in Southwest Arkansas and across the region.

LRIC Program Manager Florence Meadors participated in the evening’s panel discussion, sharing how LRIC works to connect communities, businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators with the resources and opportunities developing alongside our region’s growing lithium industry. We also had the chance to meet with attendees, answer questions about LRIC, and share ways to get connected with our network.

Thank you to Mayor Purvis and the Fouke community for hosting us, and to Arkansas Inc., Chevron, Lithium Learns, and the Southwest Arkansas Planning & Development District for collaborating to make the evening possible.

The growth of the lithium industry is about more than the resource beneath our feet—it’s about making sure the people and businesses throughout our region have opportunities to be part of what’s being built.

📣 If you live, work, own a business, or serve a community in the region, we want you involved. Ask questions. Learn about the industry. Tell us what your community needs. And if you’re a business interested in becoming part of the lithium supply chain, connect with LRIC. We’re here to help businesses identify opportunities, build relationships, access resources, and prepare for what’s ahead.

You don’t have to already be part of the lithium industry to have a place in its future. Let’s make sure our communities and businesses grow alongside it. ⚡

Connect with LRIC at lithiumric.org.

09/18/2026

LRIC was glad to be in Stamps, Arkansas today for the Smackover Lithium Southwest Arkansas Community Update and Introduction to Contractors.

As lithium development continues to grow across Southwest Arkansas, creating connections between major industry projects and the businesses, contractors, and communities in our region is incredibly important. Events like this give local companies an opportunity to learn more about upcoming needs, understand how they can participate in the growing lithium supply chain, and build relationships directly with industry leaders.

LRIC is proud to be part of these conversations and to continue connecting businesses and innovators with opportunities throughout the region. ⚡

09/11/2026

📣 Small businesses: Are you getting the most from your employee benefits without overspending?

Join the Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster (LRIC) for our next virtual event, Benefit Options for Small Businesses: How to Get More While Spending Less, featuring Neal Sereboff of LCF Advisors.

Neal will share practical insights into benefit options for small businesses and ways employers can maximize value while keeping costs manageable.

📅 September 14
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM CST
💻 Virtual Event

Whether you’re growing your team, looking for ways to stay competitive, or simply want to better understand the options available to your business, this is a great opportunity to learn more.

🔗 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lric-event-series-benefit-options-for-small-business-tickets-1999400012259?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

Tag or share this with a small business owner who could benefit!

Learn about some business insurance options for your small business!

07/20/2026

🚀 Your Mission Matters More Than You Think.

A company's mission and vision aren't just words on a website—they're the foundation for strategic decisions, company culture, customer relationships, and long-term success.

Join the Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster (LRIC) for our next virtual event featuring Rudy Ortiz, Senior Business Consultant, as he explores how a well-crafted mission and vision statement can become one of your organization's greatest competitive advantages.

📅 July 23
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM CST
💻 Virtual Event

Whether you're launching a startup, scaling an existing company, or refining your business strategy, this session will provide practical insights you can immediately apply to your organization.

🎟️ Register today:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lric-event-series-the-role-of-a-companys-mission-and-vision-statement-tickets-1993357849989?aff=oddtdtcreator

We hope you'll join us for another valuable session in the 2026 LRIC Event Series!