Chamber Celebrates Opening of UACCB Skills Development Lab, powered by Spartan Mowers
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Spartan Mower Skills Development Lab at The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.
At the ceremony, Intimidator Group and its parent company, The Toro Company, announced a partnership with the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) that furthers its longstanding relationship.
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony held today at the UACCB Workforce Training Center, Intimidator Group and The Toro Company announced a commitment to support the Skills Development Lab.
Powered by Spartan Mowers, the lab will provide workplace training in engineering, welding, machining, and assembly.
The ceremony was attended by school officials, students, and representatives from Intimidator Group and The Toro Company, with remarks provided by Crystal Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Brian Shonk, Chancellor at UACCB, and Wiley Osborn, Human Resources Business Partner, Intimidator Group.
The event concluded with a ribbon cutting, refreshments, and a tour of the rebranded facility. Opened in March 2020, the state-of-the-art Workforce Training Center on the UACCB campus features college credit and high school programs in advanced manufacturing, welding, robotics, and construction.
The new Skills Development Lab, powered by Spartan Mowers, spans nearly 10,000 square feet and includes a Welding Work Center with 25 weld cells, a Machining Work Center, an HVAC Work Center, and a Production Work Center.
"This is an exciting day for UACCB," said Brian Shonk, EdD, Chancellor at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. "I greatly appreciate and value our strong relationship with the leadership at the Intimidator Group. Manufacturing has become an integral part of our local economy, and this gift from The Toro Company Foundation, on behalf of Intimidator Group, will allow UACCB to continue to provide relevant education and training to support our growing workforce. The impact being made through this generous donation will truly improve the lives of our students, their families, and our community."
The Intimidator Group is an Arkansas-based company founded in 2013. Focused on building greatness, the Intimidator Group family includes Spartan Mowers, Intimidator UTVs, eNVy Neighborhood Vehicles, Bad Dawg Accessories, and Ground Hog Max.
"It's important that we invest in ongoing training and skills development for a future-ready workforce," said Wiley Osborn, Human Resources Business Partner for Intimidator Group. "We are very excited to further our relationship with UACCB and support the new Skills Development Lab. As an extension of the business community, this training facility will play a crucial role in the local and regional economy, both preparing students for high-demand careers in manufacturing and helping employers develop and retain top talent."
Ambassadors in attendance included: Amy Crouch-Howard (Weichert, Realtors - The Property Shoppe), Mary Duvall (Bad Boy, Inc), Justin Keister (Syngery, HR LLC), Megan Renihan (Batesville School District), Justin Russell (Bank of Cave City), Lucy Rodriguez (George's Inc), Jesse Cargill (UAMS), Tammy Foster (First Community Bank), Adam Curtwright (Centennial Bank), Becky Warren (UACCB), Ashley Engles (Citizens Bank), Amy Finster (White River Health), Eva Henriksen (Merchants & Planters Bank), Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), and Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics).
