Training center moving forward in new year

Work is moving ahead on the proposed Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center (NEAITC) in Rector. The program, envisioned with the goal of offering educational and employment opportunities to not only the people of Rector, but also those in surrounding northeast Arkansas communities, has been a main goal of City of Rector business/industry specialist Jacinda Welch since she joined the city staff in 2008.

Welch remains on the front lines of the project, taking part in the renovations of the former Dollar General building on Main Street, which has been leased by the city to serve as the location of the NEAITC.

"We've done a lot of work to the building's interior," Welch said. "We're still working, but you can already see the improvements."

Welch said workers have stripped down the floors inside the structure to return them to their original appearance. A protective coat of wax also has been added to the existing floors. Work on the structure's roof has been finished, while foam sealant has been used on the building's walls and ceilings to stop and prevent leaks. A security system also has been installed.

Welch said additional projects will begin next week. These include framing work to create smaller rooms inside the large, open building. Once the frames are in place, construction will begin on walls and electrical lines and outlets.

Work at the site is being done by volunteers.

"The contractors we've asked to donate their time are doing so," Welch said. "That has been a Godsend."

This part of the construction, known as phase one, is expected to be completed by the end of January.

Future plans include partitioning of an area of the building as soon as possible for the creation of the building's wellness center. This area will feature exercise equipment for use by the community at a likely cost of $15 month. According to Welch, current plans include keeping the wellness center open 24 hours a day to meet the needs of all residents.

Welch says additional work will be done at the site once grant money becomes available. She said she plans on submitting grant requests once the filing period begins in July.

That does not mean the center will stay empty in the immediate future, however. Welch says the NEAITC is expected to begin offering its Life Skills Program in February. The Life Skills Program will provide area residents the opportunity to learn more about parenting, creating a budget and job readiness. It will teach basic life skills in an effort to strengthen homes financially and socially.

The program's goals include providing knowledge of the basics of how to obtain employment, support group sessions, education and support on parenting from infancy to teenagers, education and budget planning for the home, and education and support for anyone on the Transitional Employment Assistance Program through the Department of Health and Human Services, for repeat offenders through the court system and for the general public or school system programs.

Life Skills classes are scheduled to last for a period of one month, most likely meeting three to four days each week. The program will be open to the entire community. Through a partnership with DHHS, the program will be used to assist individuals who may require assistance in strengthening workforce skills.

The program also is expected to work closely with the Clay County court system in an effort to identify other candidates who may benefit from the instruction.

"I'm very excited about our Life Skills Program," Welch said. "That's one thing where I can see us making a dramatic impact on people's lives."

Part of the program will be the Life Skills Store. The proposed store will offer an opportunity for individuals who attend the program or work through a number of community and NEAITC volunteer programs to purchase items at no cost. The store also will offer items at a discounted rate to the general public, as well as bring in items for use in the facility.

Funds generated from the store can be used for the Helping Hands Foundation, the community development program and other programs within the city and county.

Welch said she expects to make an announcement about the program's scheduling in the next few weeks.

Scheduling for other proposed classes at the site is not known at this time. With work continuing on the building, there also is a need for additional equipment.

"The schedule is really dependent upon how many computers we can get in there," Welch said. "I've asked for donations from the state. Often they will get new computers and donate their old ones to different programs. I'm hoping we can benefit from something like that."

Once everything is in place, Welch says she expects the Black River Technical College adult education classes and Arkansas Workforce classes to begin rotations at the center. When the schedules are in place, they will be posted on the center's www.neaitc.org website.

Because the NEAITC is still in its early stages, Welch asks that all who are able make donations to the center. This includes monetary assistance, as well as furnishings and equipment. Businesses and individuals who help sponsor the program will be honored with wall plaques showcasing their commitment to helping Northeast Arkansas achieve its highest potential.

"I would like to strongly encourage anyone who can offer any kind of assistance to please help out," Welch said. "This center is something that can be of great assistance to this area. To get to that point, we need the help of others."

Welch may be contacted at Rector city hall by calling (870) 595-2423.