The Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI) in Springdale works to serve the training needs of students as an affordable and safe postsecondary form of education and to advance occupational skillsets. What began as a small, local vision is now expanding to serve a larger community.

• Where it all started: In 2019, NWTI broke ground on a new welding center -the first building to be constructed on campus in about 20 years. Today, the Institute has plans to construct a $10 million, 55,000 sqft medical education building. The new medical building will help its students fill vacant positions in the region's healthcare industry.

• How it's going: President Jim Rawlins says that students trained in the new facility will be prepared to join the NWA workforce, which is desperately in need of healthcare workers.

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