NWTI one step closer to new medical building construction after U.S. Senate allocates $10 million

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The United States Senate approved a legislative package of six appropriation bills, including funding for Arkansas defense, health and education priorities and allocating $10 million to the Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale.

“Northwest Arkansas’ growth in the medical industry is phenomenal. Seem like a new facility on every corner,” said Jim Rollins, president of NWTI.

Now the institute wants to build its own facility. The 50,000-square-foot facility is going to be built on the north side of campus.

“We work with licensed practical nurses, surgical technology and then a whole listing of other support personnel,” said Rollins.

UAMS, NWTI to receive combined $30 million from appropriations bills

The building would increase the number of students from 100 to 300. Rollins says the shortage in medical personnel is still evident even after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s certainly not just a regional need but a state and national need. The pandemic had its impact. Without question on the medical industry,” said Rollins.

He hopes to help the local medical industry by providing medical training programs.

“I’ve spoken with surgeons who say they couldn’t do their work without a great support team around them,” said Rollins.

He says he hopes the money will help produce and keep well-trained medical professionals in the area.

“It’s our job to prepare that support person who can go in side-by-side with our physicians, surgeons and so forth to help with needs of the local industry,” said Rollins.

With the $10 million and previous fundraising, the institute has raised $17 million. However, Rollins says to get the building, they’ve proposed they will need to raise an additional $5 million.

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