| Date of Event | 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Primary Location | Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, 132 Science Center Drive, UAM campus, Monticello, Drew County |
| Key Entities | University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM); John W. Spivey Conference Center; Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin |
| Outcome | Public ribbon-cutting announced for the center’s grand opening |
MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) will hold a public ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, for the Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, the university announced Sept. 3. The ceremony marks the center’s grand opening on the Monticello campus.
Ribbon-Cutting Details
- Date: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 | Time: 2 p.m.
- Location: 132 Science Center Drive, Monticello
- Contact: Dr. Michael Blazier, [email protected] or 870-460-1152
How the Forest Health Research Center Was Funded
In February 2024, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration received approval to allocate $16.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to UAM for construction. At the October 2024 groundbreaking, Attorney General Tim Griffin announced another $1 million from state settlement funds. The family of John W. Spivey also contributed to add the John W. Spivey Conference Center.
What the Center Does for Arkansas Forestry
UAM says Arkansas lacked in-state facilities to test for forest diseases, invasive insects and climate threats to its $16 billion annual forestry economy. Besides the research wing and the conference center, the building has a wing of biology and chemistry labs for UAM students in natural sciences, allied health, agriculture and natural resources. UAM estimates the center will generate a $157 million annual economic benefit to Arkansas.
Update: The Center Opened Oct. 2
UAM opened the center at the Oct. 2 ceremony. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman attended, the Pine Bluff Commercial reported. Upcoming events at the center include the Arkansas Forest Health Workshop and NWF Grow More training. More from UAM and the area: Monticello news.
Source: UAM news release (Sept. 3, 2026); update from Pine Bluff Commercial (Oct. 3, 2026).
