FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jackson County Achieves Prestigious ACT® Work Ready Community Certification

Newport, Arkansas 7/6/2026

The Newport Economic Development Commission is proud to announce that Jackson County has officially met all criteria to become a certified ACT® Work Ready Community (WRC). This designation demonstrates the community’s dedication to developing a strong workforce pipeline that is highly attractive to employers, economic developers, and current and future residents.

The ACT® Work Ready Communities initiative empowers states, regions, and counties with data, processes, and tools that drive economic growth by identifying skills gaps and quantifying the readiness of the local workforce. By participating in the program, Jackson County leveraged the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) to measure and close fundamental workplace skills gaps, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and applied mathematics.

The Jackson County School District, the Newport School District and ASU-Newport were all instrumental in achieving this status. In addition, 59 employers signed up as part of the effort.

"Achieving this status is a major milestone for our region," said Jon Chadwell, Director of Economic Development for the Newport Economic Development Commission. "It affirms what we already know: our people are ready to get to work, and we have the skills required to thrive in today's demanding job market. This certification gives us a significant competitive advantage in attracting new industries and expanding the businesses that are already here."

To achieve certification, community leaders engaged with local employers, educators, and policymakers to set and reach specific workforce goals. A critical component of the initiative's success was the commitment from local businesses to recognize or recommend the NCRC in their hiring processes.

Local residents, students, and job seekers can use the ACT® WorkKeys® NCRC® to showcase their capabilities directly to employers, proving they possess the essential skills needed for workplace success.

For more information about Jackson County's ACT® Work Ready Community initiative, or to learn how local businesses can join the growing list of supporting employers, check out the ACT Work Ready Communities website or email the Newport Economic Development Commission at director@newportaredc.org.