LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Today, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration announced the release of $9.3 million in funding to Arkansas Enterprises for Developmentally Disabled Inc and the University of Arkansas’ Multi-User Silicon Carbide (MUSiC) Fabrication Facility. 

“These investments will go toward two of my administration’s top priorities: opening professional doors for Arkansans, regardless of ability, and standing up to foreign adversaries like Communist China,” said Governor Sanders. “The MUSiC program will be critical as our nation brings semiconductor production back home and will help Arkansas develop the industry right here in our backyard.”

“Thanks to Governor Sanders’ leadership, the State of Arkansas will be making significant capital investments in the Jobs 4 You Workforce Training Center in Cabot and the MUSiC fabrication center at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville,” said Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Jim Hudson. “But beyond the construction of buildings, the real investment will be in those benefitting from the job training and advanced research happening at both facilities and the contribution they will make to our workforce of the future.”  

“This project is a game-changer for adults with developmental disabilities in my district and surrounding counties. It empowers them by providing opportunities for skill development and meaningful employment,” said State Representative Brian Evans. “I applaud the Governor for prioritizing inclusive workforce development and members of ALC for seeing the value of this investment.”

These grants will fund the projects below:

• Jobs 4 You Cabot Workforce in Lonoke County, $2,000,000
• University of Arkansas Multi-User Silicon Carbide (MUSiC) Fabrication Facility, $7,300,000

The Jobs 4 You Cabot Workforce Training Center will be located on 3.79 acers of land and plans to service adults with developmental disabilities, helping them receive workforce training. The facility will create 38 new jobs and will serve North Pulaski, Faulkner, Lonoke, Prairie, and White Counties. The project is set to break ground in 2025 and open its doors in 2026. The funding will also support the construction of two new transitional homes in Cabot to help adults who are at risk of homelessness.

The Multi-User Silicon Carbide (MUSiC) Fabrication Facility will help advance the development and commercialization of silicon carbide (SiC) power devices which will be used for military, consumer, industrial and healthcare devices. This funding helps bridge the gap between research and commercialization, helping Arkansas lead the way in semiconductor technology in the realm of research and workforce development. Communist China is a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, so this will help the United States bolster its national security and reduce its reliance on its foreign adversaries.