SPRINGDALE — A $3 million expansion of refrigeration technology at Northwest Technical Institute will make its learning program a national leader in the field, according to businesses that donated two-thirds of the cost. The first stages of the project are expected to open by September of next year. Plans for the ammonia technology and industrial maintenance center were included in a report last month from the Northwest Arkansas Council, a group of Springdale area business leaders. Another gift to the school will go to construction of a welding facility, according to the council. Gov. Asa Hutchinson attended the formal announcement Wednesday that set out details of the refrigeration program. Private industry, including Tyson Foods Inc., gave $2 million toward the program. The governor announced that he was releasing $1 million of his discretionary funds for the remainder of the cost. About $900,000 will go into renovating space at the institute, and the rest will go into new equipment and construction. Tyson is contributing $1 million to the center. Seventeen other businesses are making contributions ranging from money to technical support and donating state-of-the-art industrial refrigeration equipment, according to Wednesday’s announcement. Northwest Technical Institute is a state-supported school that offers programs for high school students and adults in industrial maintenance, diesel technology, nursing and information technology. The center will attract students from all over the country, said David Rook, associate director of refrigeration training for Tyson Foods. A graduate of such a yearlong program can expect a starting salary of $48,000,… [Read full story]
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