The Newport Economic Development Commission and ASU-Newport are partnering with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences (ACDS) to bring a regional Information Technology training center to downtown Newport. The training center will feature apprenticeship training programs for a wide range of Arkansas companies in the areas of Computer Coding and Software Development, Data Analysis, and Cyber Security. Apprentices who enter the program will be paid by their host company to gain the necessary training for a permanent IT position and there will be no cost to the apprentice for the training. âThe Arkansas Center for Data Sciences has so many resources and partnerships that they bring to the table,â stated Jon Chadwell, Director of Economic Development in Newport. âWe are very fortunate to be part of a great team like this one.â The center will bring cutting edge IT training to northeast Arkansas, allowing local residents to gain the skills to obtain high paying jobs. âWe hope to build a workforce that will convince Arkansas technology companies to view Newport as an option for their back-office services,â Chadwell added.