Community members gather to dedicate a new facility.

The release below is from the City of Harrison:

The Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Innovation (CRMI) on the south campus of North Arkansas College hosted a dedication on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. 

North Arkansas College President Dr. Rick Massengale said, “This is more than a 20,000-square-foot building; it is 20,000 square feet of opportunity.”  He praised the many who contributed to the project's design, oversight, and the monetary grants and donations. 

He explained that when he accepted the job as president in 2019, he heard the dream and heart of Craig Campbell, who insisted the college provide the training the industrial partners needed for their workforce. 

Craig Campbell said, “What I love about this community is that we take the time to care for our students and do something about it. Everyone contributes to paddling the boat, and we bring the idea home. We are finishers. We’ve heard of the black hole where ideas go to die, but not in this community. We believe in students and the credentials they will earn here, allowing them to work for any manufacturing plant in the US.”

Campbell presented the ledger to Dr. Massengale, which contained the history of donations, when seven doctors purchased stock in an industrial park in 1957. “They knew without manufacturing jobs, there wouldn’t be a hospital.”

The CRMI project began with a group that developed the framework in 2016. Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (NWAEDD) executive director Joe Willis said, “We had a vision to support manufacturing. But we knew we didn’t have a railway system, waterway, or interstate highway.”

Millions of dollars came from many organizations to make the dream come true. Mayor Jerry Jackson said later, “I want to thank Dr. Rick Massengale and Craig Campbell. When Craig has a passion for something – wow, I’ve watched him for six years, and we knew it would happen. I also want to thank the college staff and students for making this the great North Arkansas College. I also want to thank our City Council, which approved the $100,000 we gave this project from our economic development money, which the citizens voted for along with Creekside.”

The University of Arkansas President, Jay Silveria, welcomed the community to the University of Arkansas system. “From the first day I took office, we’ve had many conversations about workforce development. This facility is an excellent example of the future for our state and the region. The University has 27,000 staff members and 70,000 students; you are part of that great family.

Student Tytus Grinder was asked to speak to the crowd and said, “I appreciate the vision and building for the next generation. I know Jeremiah 29:11 states that God has a plan for our lives, and I want to thank the college for making this manufacturing opportunity a gateway to higher knowledge.”

The City of Harrison CFO and Northark President of the Board, Luke Feighert, said, “It’s refreshing to see the economic development focus from our community. We want our kids to stay in Harrison, but we must ensure they have the opportunity for a good job and a good salary. Thank you, Craig, for your bulldog-like passion and dream. Thank you, students, for choosing North Arkansas College.”