The American Electric Power Foundation recently donated $30,000 to the University of Arkansas Cossatot Foundation to purchase industrial technology training equipment for the Lockesburg Industrial Maintenance Institute. AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company Customer Service Representative Paul Knowles, Turk Plant Manager Tim Gross and External Affairs Manager Jennifer Harland presented the donation to UA Cossatot administrators. Accepting the donation is UA Cossatot Vice Chancellor of Facilities Mike Kinkade, Skilled and Technical Sciences Division Chair Steve McJunkins, Chancellor Steve Cole, Director of Public Services and Workforce Development Tammy Coleman, Ashdown Campus Director Barry Reed and Vice Chancellor of Academic Services Ashley Aylett. "This training equipment will provide students with the opportunity to program PLCs, operate other equipment utilizing the trainer, and gain valuable knowledge about how these systems control the electrical outputs of nearly every piece of equipment within a facility," Harland stated in a press release. "Our goal at SWEPCO is to play an active, positive role in the communities where we live and work. The American Electric Power Foundation is honored to support the LIMI in creating a workforce that will meet the demands of local industry." The UA Cossatot LIMI opened Monday. The institute will provide training for local industries such as Tyson, Ashgrove, Domtar and SWEPCO. "AEP SWEPCO has been a long-time industry supporter of UA Cossatot," Cole said. "We are honored that they are helping with this groundbreaking program in Lockesburg. This program helps hundreds of students that will be working towards high-wage, high-skill jobs in the industrial maintenance field, which is a huge piece of the puzzle when it comes to economic development for our area." An open house will be held later this fall.
