Hytrol Donates $500,000 to CREST Initiative

JONESBORO, Ark. — Hytrol has partnered with and donated $500,000 to the Career Readiness Education and Skills Training (CREST) initiative at Arkansas State University.

During a ceremony hosted at Hytrol on Aug. 18, the company was recognized as the founding industry partner of CREST and presented its $500,000 gift in support of the initiative and its facility. Arkansas State University also announced the naming of the Hytrol Workforce Training Room, which will serve as a central training and collaboration space within the CREST facility.

CREST is a regional workforce development partnership among Arkansas State University, ASU-Newport and Arkansas Northeastern College. Hytrol’s investment will support efforts to create flexible pathways to education, skills training and employment for high school students and working adults seeking career advancement opportunities.

Hytrol Chief Administrative Officer Phillip Poston spoke on behalf of the company during the presentation ceremony. Dr. Calvin White Jr., interim chancellor of Arkansas State University, and Mark Young, president and CEO of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, also provided remarks.

“Hytrol has spent more than six decades growing alongside Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas,” said Poston. “Our future is tied to this region, and we believe that one of the most important investments that we can make is in the people that drive that future.”

Dr. White emphasized the role of the Hytrol Workforce Training Room: “It will be a place where employers will help us understand emerging workforce needs. And where educators will listen and respond by developing programs that prepare people to meet the workforce needs. Hytrol’s name will represent much more than just a room. It will represent a company that stepped forward from day one.”

“CREST will provide not only an opportunity for employers to better prepare existing workforce, it also provides us an opportunity to train the future workforce,” Young said. “It will make an impactful, meaningful role in people’s lives, and for that we are very thankful.”

The new CREST facility will be located near the Judd Hill Farmer’s Market on the Arkansas State University campus. Construction is set to begin spring 2027.