State Senators and Representatives from Northwest Arkansas Tour U of A Research Facilities

Several state senators and representatives from Northwest Arkansas visited the University of Arkansas campus to learn more about the university’s role beyond education, specifically regarding the U of A’s rapidly growing research enterprise.

Members of the Arkansas General Assembly’s 3^rd Congressional District Caucus, a bipartisan group of state-elected officials that represent portions of Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Madison, Sebastian and Washington counties, toured two key research facilities and received updates on how the university’s research is impacting the region and state including strengthening workforce development and helping grow and attract businesses to the state. 

“There is a real legislative interest in understanding how we can continue building on the university’s momentum and growing the research and economic-development enterprise in a way that benefits the entire state,” said Senator Bart Hester.

The visiting elected officials met with Chancellor Charles Robinson and Margaret McCabe, vice chancellor for research and innovation, before touring the Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC) and Multi-User Silicon Carbide Research and Fabrication Facility (MUSiC). 

At CEREC, a 25-ton overhead crane and powerful hydraulic equipment allow researchers to simulate real-world conditions and develop safer, stronger and more resilient infrastructure including bridges and buildings, creating long-term benefits for public and private organizations across the state.

The MUSiC facility provides an open-access facility where researchers and industry can develop, prototype and test devices, helping establish Arkansas as a hub for next-generation semiconductor and power electronics manufacturing. The university is national leader in semiconductor research, focusing on power electronics and silicone carbide (SiC) technology, essential to most electronic devices and fields such as healthcare, computing, transportation and national security.

The university’s annual economic impact to the state is well beyond the $3 billion estimate announced in 2023 as research expenditures have continued to grow, reaching an all-time high of $252.9 million in fiscal year 2025. 

Attendees included:

• Sen. Tyler Dees (R), District 35
• Rep. Nicole Clowney (D), District 21
• Rep. Denise Garner (D), District 20
• Sen. Bart Hester (R), District 33
• Rep. Randy Torres (R), District 17
• Rep. Kendon Underwood (R), District 16
• Rep. Steve Unger (R), District 19
• Rep. Diana Gonzales Worthen (D), District 9
• Member Elect Brian Armas (R)
• Member Elect Max Deitchler (D)
• Member Elect Cody Rogers (R)
• Sara Lynn Geiger, Rogers Lowell Chamber
• Ross Phillips, Rogers Lowell Chamber

The visit was coordinated by the Rogers Lowell Chamber as a part of its mission to grow businesses, activate leaders and build communities.