Dear Friends,
One of the best parts of my job is talking to and hearing from neighbors, job creators, and friends in central Arkansas. This week was a busy one – from visiting with entrepreneurs, meeting with STEM advocates, sitting down with Faulkner County representatives on the Highway 89 project, and much more. I wanted to share some highlights from the week with you.
Encouraging Entrepreneurship
I started Monday off visiting the University of Central Arkansas's (UCA) Makerspace, Powered by the Conductor. I'm inspired by the partnership between UCA and the Conductor to establish Makerspace as a tool to work with middle school and high school students to entrepreneurship.
I toured their space and received hands-on experience making "squishy circuits" with Master Maker Jason Huselton (top right) and CEO of the Conductor, Kim Lane (top left). Jason showed me how they use 3D printers to make prototypes and other products, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to see their good work firsthand.
It’s exciting to see this type of entrepreneurial growth in central Arkansas, and I’m proud to support organizations like the Conductor that support access to capital and mentorship for business owners and innovators, which are vital to the success of growing "homegrown" small businesses.
Inspiring Young Women to Pursue STEM
Thank you Dawn Prasifka (left), Cristy Sowell (middle right), Katie Dailey (right), with the Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, for the good work you are doing to train and inspire young women to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) related fields.
I’m impressed by your efforts to revamp the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (RISE) program, which helps give hope and purpose to young girls in risk of juvenile detention, and I am excited to learn about your state-of-the-art Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) Center being built in Fort Smith, Arkansas that will be open to girl scouts across our state, focusing on STEM learning and the arts.
Thank you for coming to my Little Rock office to share these updates with me.
Equipping Our Arkansas Firefighters
I shared the good news with Mayor Paul Wellenberger of Fairfield Bay on Wednesday morning, congratulating the Fairfield Bay Fire Department on receiving $328,222 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program (AFG).
Our first responders put their lives on the line to protect the lives and property of their neighbors and it is imperative that they have the staffing and equipment necessary to get the job done. Arkansas has received over $6 million through FEMA grant programs since 2015. It has been my privileged to provide over 25 support letters to cities like Fairfield Bay.
In April, I testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security in support of funding for the AFG program and to make sure that our fire departments have the funding they need. I have also written to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security every year since coming to Congress telling them why funding the AFG program is so important to the safety of Arkansans.
Interning in Central Arkansas or Washington, D.C.
We have had incredibly talented young men and women intern on my team in central Arkansas and Washington, D.C. since I have been elected to serve you.
Last summer, we had (top left | left to right) Madeline Colclasure, Brett Dush, Jack Carter, and Neatric Norwood - all from central Arkansas - help us in my Washington, D.C. office. Now, Neatric is working and leading on my team! This summer's D.C. interns included (bottom left | left to right) John Scruggs, Sam Ferguson, Parker Temple, and Lydia Booth. Our two interns from Little Rock working in our central Arkansas offices is (right | left to right) Anna Reckling and Lauren Ator. We appreciate all their hard work!
If you are a college student or recent graduate, or know someone who is, we are looking for applicants to intern in my D.C., Little Rock, and Conway offices for this fall semester.
If you are interested in applying, please send your resume and cover letter to ar02.applications@mail.house.gov.
Working on the Highway 89 Overpass Project
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (Arkansas DOT) hosted a good meeting with Judge Baker from Faulkner County, Mayor Holland from Mayflower, and Metroplan, along with representatives from Faulkner County and the Arkansas Department of Transportation, discussing details on the Highway 89 overpass project.
Highway 89 overpass will be an asset to the city of Mayflower and the surrounding area within Faulkner County. After completion, Highway 89 will establish a corridor to better assist with the traffic flow, help first responders better respond to emergencies at locations that are currently difficult to get to, and help boosts central Arkansas's economy.
Thank you for taking time to keep up with the work I'm doing on your behalf. If I can be any assistance to you or your family, please reach out to my office at (501) 324-5941 or go to my website at hill.house.gov.
Representative French Hill |
