Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – Arkansas State University will expand its steel research and testing capabilities after Congress approved $2.1 million in Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations secured by U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark.

The funding will support the acquisition of industry-grade testing equipment for Arkansas State’s Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing (CAMSM), strengthening the university’s role as a technical partner for steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers across Northeast Arkansas and the Mid-South.

The new equipment will enhance the center’s ability to study mechanical and microstructural properties of steel, expand fabrication and machining capabilities, and increase computational capacity to support data analytics, artificial intelligence, and materials design.

These investments will allow researchers to work directly with industry partners to improve production processes, reduce delays, and accelerate innovation in steel manufacturing.

“I am proud of my work in Congress to ensure that Northeast Arkansas continues to have every resource to train, develop, and equip the excellent workforce needed to support the thriving steel industry,” Crawford said. “I was happy to support $2.1 million in funding for Arkansas State University’s Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing to better leverage data analytics and artificial intelligence to improve research in material design and production lines. This funding will keep Arkansas State at the cutting edge of steel production research.” 

CAMSM will conduct steel testing and research in ways that directly support industrial production and quality assurance. This includes building testing capacity aligned with international standards to evaluate the strength, durability, and performance of steel products; increasing fabrication, welding, and machining capabilities to support prototyping and process validation; and enhancing data and computing infrastructure to support advanced modeling and applied artificial intelligence in steel manufacturing. 

The center will also embed workforce development directly into the research environment, giving students and incumbent workers hands-on experience with modern materials testing, automation, and AI-assisted manufacturing tools used across the steel industry.

“This funding allows A-State to connect advanced research with the real-world industry needs across the continuum of the workforce pipeline,” said Chancellor Todd Shields. “Our upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and research faculty will work alongside industry scientists and partners to solve challenges facing modern steel production, while preparing graduates for high-demand careers in advanced steel manufacturing.”

Arkansas is a national leader in steel production, with continued expansion in Mississippi County and surrounding areas. The steel industry is a major economic driver for Northeast Arkansas, supporting thousands of jobs and attracting significant private investment while strengthening the region’s manufacturing supply chain.

By expanding CAMSM’s research capabilities, A-State is helping ensure the region has the technical expertise, workforce pipeline, and innovation capacity needed to support long-term industry growth.