The Newport Tech Depot in northeast Arkansas is living out its own version of the movie, Field of Dreams.

The facility began operations in 2020 in a temporary building in downtown Newport, Arkansas, as an IT training center and a co-working space for entrepreneurs and remote workers. Since then, it has become so much more.

At its new facility this year, the Tech Depot started offering training with a goal of having 500 people receive training by the end of the year. That goal has been shattered with an attendance count of over 1,100 persons in just the first half of the year.

“We have become a magnet for training,” said Jon Chadwell, director of Economic Development for the Newport Economic Development Commission. “It’s just really been kind of incredible to watch this thing unfold. We have been able to partner with more organizations for training than we projected.”

Entergy Arkansas played a huge part of getting the depot started, and the company continues to be a big supporter, including a two-year funding commitment totaling $100,000.

“Northeastern Arkansas is growing, and the Newport Tech Depot is an increasingly important part of the region’s success,” said Danny Games, director of business and economic development for Entergy Arkansas. “With the growth of industry and related businesses in Jackson County and surrounding counties, having qualified workers is critical in helping the region thrive.”

Training at the depot has run the gamut from computer training to self-defense. Classes include office skills, drone technology, corrections officer training, industrial maintenance recertification, small business development consulting, CPR for small business, transitioning from recovery to employment, ACT Bootcamp and much more.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Austin Regional Office recently awarded Newport’s Tech Depot Project the coveted Star of the Southwest Award.

Chadwell said government and community support has been overwhelming, as well as many sponsors who made it possible.

“Entergy Arkansas’ sponsorship is making a huge difference in the lives of people in Newport and our region,” Chadwell told Entergy Arkansas employees recently. “Thank you for your belief in our dream through the investment you made. The investment is paying off in the lives of people in our community who are daily using the facility to create a better quality of life for their families.”

One of the projects we are working on is in an area east of Batesville, where we are improving reliability by upgrading miles of power lines, replacing wire and updating equipment to the newest standards.

“This is a large, three-part project that will yield high benefits for our customers in the northeast region,” said Entergy Arkansas Customer Service Manager Todd Welter. “We will be working through the rest of the year on these projects that will provide premier service to the area.”

Several large chicken farms, which rely on electricity to provide optimal conditions for poultry production, will benefit from the projects, as well as 2,000 residential and commercial customers.

Over the next few months, vegetation crews will be clearing the lines to make way for the line workers to reconductor about five miles of power lines. The first phase of the project, which was completed at the end of July, involved reconductoring lines along School Road. A second phase, which is currently underway, involves replacing 1½ miles of copper wire with new lines along Blueberry Road. Finally, crews will be replacing wires on a three-mile stretch along White Drive. ��

Occasionally it may be necessary for customers to be without power while the lines are replaced. Whenever possible, we will work to ensure customers are notified in advance.

We thank customers for their patience as we work to upgrade your service.

While Entergy owns and operates the dams that created the lakes about a century ago, it also manages and protects the shorelines from dangerous or unsafe construction of docks, structures and dock debris.

Although Entergy manages the shoreline, the waters themselves fall under several jurisdictions, depending on whatever the issue is that needs to be reported and/or addressed. In some cases, more than one jurisdiction may handle similar calls, so there may be some overlap in responsibilities.

Here is a general list of who is responsible for what when it comes to the local waters:

Call 911 for:

• Emergencies such as accidents, fires, EMS
• Problems detected at the dams, such as structural concerns, leaks, etc.
• Unusual or unexpected flooding of areas, especially on clear days

Garland County Sheriff’s Office/Marine Patrol: 501-622-3666

• ATVs or vehicles being driven in lakebed
• Boating accidents
• Reports of careless and reckless boating
• General boat theft
• Theft of private property
• Boating while intoxicated
• Abandoned or sunken boat

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: 833-356-0824

• Boating accidents
• Reports of careless and reckless boating
• Boating while intoxicated
• Hunting from the islands, boats or lakebed

Garland County Inspections Department: 501-609-9067 (outside city limits)

• Storm water soil runoff
• Fires in the lakebed
• Yard waste, trees blown (or thrown) into lakebed

City of Hot Springs Utilities 501-623-7473

• Sewage pump station alarms or overflow

Garland County Road Department 501-767-9174 (outside city limits)

• Clogged storm drains, roads with ponding water

Hot Springs Storm Water Division: 501-321-6743 (in city limits)

• Clogged storm drains, roads with ponding water
• Storm water soil runoff/illicit discharge

Arkansas Department of Transportation — 870-623-8312

• Lights out on the bridges

Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality: 501-682-0744

• Water quality and testing
• Illicit discharges (pool backwashing into water, sewer issues)

Coast Guard auxiliary: 501-762-0337

• Removal of large, woody debris in the navigable channel

Entergy Lakes Management: shoreline@entergy.com or lakepermits@entergy.com

• New construction, remodeling, repair of facilities along the shoreline, in the lake or on Entergy property
• Landscaping and building activity along the shoreline
• Permit transfers for property buyers/sellers
• Questions about inspections of existing facilities
• Lighting, electrical, address signage codes
• Reports of floating dock debris
• Reporting of docks in need of repair

“I learned so much today,” said Daffney Payne, a Little Rock resident and Entergy Arkansas customer for 20 years. “This event has really helped the neighborhood. We were able to talk to legal and customer service to get information you would never know about your light bill and what Entergy provides. They were telling me about the bill toolkit, where they help you with food, housing, financial, schools. I said, ‘Wait a minute. Entergy does all this?’ It was a lot to take in today.”

About 100 families attended the event, which included booths featuring free legal advice, the new website, , public benefits and community resources, security lighting, bill assistance, energy efficiency programs, weatherization kits and even free box fans as part of the Beat the Heat giveaway.

“It was a blessing to be out here to receive a free fan and learn how to save energy,” said Jennifer Johnson, who has lived in Little Rock for 15 years and received valuable information on weather stripping. “Thank you for serving our community and being a help to the unfortunate and the fortunate.”

Johnson also was able to sign her daughter up for the Kids to College program, in which Entergy will contribute $50 toward a college savings account and provide matching funds up to $365.

Ventrell Thompson, vice president of Entergy Arkansas Customer Service, said it was great to be able to personally interact with customers and see that they can get the help that they need.

“We know our customers’ need for assistance is real, particularly during the summer months when their energy usage goes up and so does their bill,” he said. “We want to make sure they are aware of all the resources we have available so that they can take advantage of them.”

Other Beat the Heat fan giveaways are taking place throughout the Entergy Arkansas service area, including recent events in Pine Bluff and Searcy.

For more information about topics that were provided at the customer pop-up event, visit the website.

Each weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day, hundreds of people bring tubes, kayaks and canoes to Entergy Arkansas’ Remmel Dam to float, paddle and sail their way to the Whitewater Park in Malvern.

Remmel Dam – which has been producing hydroelectricity for the past 100 years – along with Entergy employees who operate the plant – help create this summer pastime with recreational flows that provide the perfect conditions for floating down the river.

To make the most of this fun activity, here are some helpful and important things to know.

RECREATIONAL FLOWS

The best time to float is when temperatures either feel like or are over 90 degrees and sunny. Some clouds are fine but keep an eye on the weather report for possible afternoon showers/storms.

Remmel Dam’s recreational flows normally take place from Noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But, to take advantage of full floating without having to pick up your tube and walk, you need to be on the river at least two hours before the end of the recreational flow window – usually by 3 p.m. Occasionally, the recreational flow schedule is adjusted, based on weather or other activities taking place at the dam or on the river. Visit for regular updates and times.

Flows above 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) are not recommended for floating. Flows lower than 3,200 cfs may be too low for an enjoyable float, although the higher and lower flow levels can generally be navigated with a kayak. Current conditions for the various waterways can be found through USGS or at where the USGS river flow is listed under the Remmel Dam Site.

PUT IN/TAKE OUT LOCATIONS

The entrance for floating is a boat ramp near the dam. Drive through the gate, which is located just past the Remmel Dam operations entrance at 170 Remmel Dam Road. The gate closes each night at 10 p.m. Be sure to read the posted signs. Note: While the official address for the dam is 170 Remmel Dam Road, some navigational services can have problems directing you to the right location. If you are coming from Interstate 30, make sure you take Exit 98B – Hwy 270 – Hot Springs exit in Malvern.

The exit for floating is at Ouachita River Whitewater Park, located at 904 Riverview Drive in Malvern. While the put in and take out locations are only about 15 minutes apart by road, you will need two cars – one to park at the dam entrance, and the other to park at the Whitewater Park exit. There is a company that provides shuttle service. Diamond Lakes River Shuttle can be found on Facebook @diamondlakesrivershuttle, or call 501-282-2701.

Do not park where there are red markings on the rocks at the dam parking lot. This denotes no-parking zones. They mark the emergency access lanes to the area and the concrete boat ramp located there. Anyone who parks in those areas may be towed.

WHAT TO EXPECT

It generally takes three to four hours to float the river, depending on how many breaks you might take. There are about three gravel-bar locations along the route if you’d like to stop and have lunch or take breaks. Do not stop in areas marked no trespassing, as that is private property.

The center of the river provides faster flow. Pro tip: bring paddles to avoid the bushes, logs and trees near the banks, especially on the lefthand side. Those can be thorny and hazardous to tubes if you run into them!

The depths of the river can vary, depending on location. Some places will allow you to stand. Other spots will be over your head. Life jackets for children and weak swimmers are recommended.

Make sure you begin your float at least two hours before recreational flow ends. If not, you may end up walking for a significant portion of your trip, as the water will fall quickly once the recreational flow is stopped from the dam.

Another important tip: ��You know you are at the take-out spot when you see the I-30 bridge over the Ouachita River. When you see the bridge, start making your way to the left bank. You can exit the river by climbing the bank, or you can choose to go through the Whitewater Park rapid.�� There is a boat ramp on the left, after the rapid but before you get to the bridge. Make sure to stay on the far left at the Waterpark to exit, or else the strong currents could push you past the take-out point and you will have to paddle back upstream! It is also helpful to stay in your raft until closer to shore because the currents can be difficult.

Be careful when getting off the tubes. The currents and rocks can be tricky to navigate.

Remember the gates at Remmel Dam close at 10 p.m. each night for security reasons, so plan accordingly.

WHAT TO BRING

• Any non-motorized watercraft. Make sure tubes are rugged enough for the river environment. Tip: Leaf blowers can inflate tubes in no time. Just deflate tubes at the end of the float and load into the car.
• Rope to tether multiple tubes together, so you and your party don’t get separated. Make sure ropes are securely fastened to the tubes!
• Plenty of sunscreen. Plan to reapply several times throughout the float.
• Sunglasses and hats. The river can be very sunny and bright.
• Water shoes – no flip flops! The river bottom and parking lots are rocky, and you need good foot support.
• Life jackets for children or weak swimmers. Life jackets are always a good idea!
• Coolers with snacks, beverages, and a trash bag. Please hydrate in the heat, drink responsibly and take your trash with you.
• Leave no trace!

TripSavers are electronically controlled, single-phase electric switches that can self-clear temporary faults on power lines. Faults can occur when animals, tree branches or other items come in contact with the lines.

When a fault is detected, the TripSaver opens, waits, and then closes again to test if the fault is still present. If the fault is temporary, the TripSaver restores power, which prevents an extended outage for customers.��Customers who experience a temporary fault may see their lights blink and then return to normal.��

If the fault is permanent, such as a tree falling on the power lines, the TripSaver will isolate the fault, which limits the number of customers affected.

Temporary faults account for about 75 percent of all faults, so it can indeed be a time saver for both customers and Entergy workers. This also saves money by eliminating service calls to simply reset the system where the fault occurred.

Not having to go refuse a line also allows workers to respond more quickly to other outages.��

“We have installed TripSavers in locations all across the state and will continue to install more of them each year,” said Ryan Prejean, senior manager of engineering.��

Employees have installed about 1,200 of the devices, with plans to install another 900 by the end of the year.

Twenty students from Jackson State University, Prairie View A&M University, Tuskegee University, Southern University and Tennessee State University received stipends from event sponsors to travel to the summit and compete for scholarships, internships and careers upon graduation.

“We had a mix between computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering students. It’s getting bigger and better every year,” said Brandiace McGuire, manager of Entergy Arkansas Customer Service Support who served as an ACES liaison for the company.

During the three-day event, students heard from representatives from the various event sponsors and presenters, including executives from Entergy Arkansas, MISO, SPP, ERCOT, PJM and the Arkansas Chapter of AABE (American Association of Blacks in ���ϳԹ���).

They also participated in a case study competition, in which they had to create a power resource plan to reduce emissions by 2030 and 2050 by using a mixture of fossil fuel and renewable resources.

The Jackson State University team won the competition, taking home $3,000 in prize money. In addition to their winnings, team members said they gained valuable experience and connections that will extend through their career.

“The ACES experience was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment of arriving, I felt very welcomed and well taken care of,” said Ka’Pri Burden, computer science honors student at Jackson State. “The atmosphere itself really enhanced the experience — seeing people who look like me, really wanting to push me to be better, challenge me and put me into an environment where I can thrive and grow. It was really great.”

Fellow classmate Darian Colligan agreed.

“I got to learn more about the industry, network with students from surrounding HBCUs and land my first internship. I am truly grateful for the opportunity, and I will be an eternal advocate for the program,” she said.

At the end of the event, several students received full-time job offers upon graduation with salaries of more than $90,000 a year, while others were granted internships. In addition, all 20 attendees were awarded scholarships to continue their education.

McGuire said the event was a success and that they have plans to grow the program even more in the future.

“This means a lot to not only HBCUs but also the students, because they have true access,” she said. “They have access to more than just the industry, they now have a network of mentors they can go to in the future.”

As they wrap up their employment with Entergy Arkansas, they head back to college with some new skills and a new outlook on their futures and the company. Special thanks to their mentors: Pamela Brown, Kendra Jones and Sherita Taylor.

Meet the interns, who answered a few questions from corporate communications. Based on their answers, their futures look bright indeed!

Brian Gittens

What is your hometown and what high school did you graduate from?
I am originally from Arlington, Virginia, but I have been living in Arkansas for the last four years. I graduated from Little Rock Christian Academy High School.

What college do you attend, what is your major and when do you expect to graduate?
I currently attend Hendrix College in Conway, where I am a sophomore Politics major. I intend on graduating with my Bachelor of Social Sciences in May 2026.

Why did you choose to intern with Entergy Arkansas?
I chose to intern with Entergy Arkansas due to the honor of the opportunity provided. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. To be able to intern at a corporation with that magnitude looks great on my resume and provides me with great experience. Also, on a more personal level, I get to be in a professional setting and gain wisdom from a unique opportunity of extended exposure to tenured employees, which helps me gain insight and fill in the gaps that college won’t.

What are some of the duties you have performed during your internship?
During my summer as a Customer Service Support Intern, my two main responsibilities were handling the Net Metering Preliminary Process and the Deceased Person Process. In order to fulfill these responsibilities, I had to get familiar with the main database used in the Customer Service Support (CSS) Department in order to look up customer information, leave notes on a customer account, retrieve billing and usage numbers and close out open notifications. I also helped manage the team’s CIR inbox and mark finished tasks in our teams’ Complaint Tracker. I also got the opportunity to ride along in the field, where I observed Entergy Journeyman Meterman Jeff Daniels perform calls and repairs safely and job shadowed work management.

What are some other things you have learned that you didn’t necessarily expect during your internship?
I was surprised how interested I was in the work I was doing. As a politics major and an aspiring law student, I didn’t really think I would be so intellectually curious about the CSS Department’s work. I had worked internships in the past and used them as work experience but wasn’t very enthralled in the work itself. During this past summer, I have been engrossed in Entergy’s current and future initiatives, community outreaches and the plans to keep the employees, stakeholders and customers happy. On multiple occasions, I’ve found myself probing for deeper information and asking why, along with feeling like my work is really affecting customers in Arkansas.

What do you hope to do upon graduation and how has this internship prepared you?
Upon graduation, I’d like to go into law school and obtain my JD degree. I have talked to lawyers in Arkansas, and they’ve said the biggest difference between the people they’ve hired and the people they’ve declined was communication and office etiquette. Everyone is smart and qualified leaving law school, but those who have experience working in an office environment and working in a professional team get the edge. This applies to not just getting into the door but performing better and being a more valued employee. Through my time in the Customer Service Support Department, I have gotten to practice these skills, be a team member, learn how to navigate in an office setting and pay attention to detail in order to be a solid and dependable asset to the team.

Anything else you’d like to add?
I am a proud recipient of the Oscar Washington Jr. Scholarship, which is given in honor of the late Entergy Arkansas vice president.��I appreciate the CSS team for being so accommodating and making this a positive experience. They were patient, wise and willing to help throughout my entire summer.

Madison Mobley

What is your hometown and what high school did you graduate from?
I am a proud native of Little Rock, Arkansas, and a 2022 graduate of Joe T. Robinson High School.

What college do you attend, what is your major and when do you expect to graduate?
I now attend Spelman College located in Atlanta, Georgia, where I am a rising sophomore English major, with intentions of graduating with my Bachelor of Arts in May 2026.

Why did you choose to intern with Entergy Arkansas?
I chose to intern with Entergy Arkansas to provide myself with the opportunity to immerse myself in the history and goals of an influential company, such as Entergy, while also taking advantage of an opportunity to spend my summer back at home. I believed that interning with Entergy Arkansas would help me learn how to conduct myself in a professional setting, while also allowing me to network with hard workers from my community. Furthermore, I thought that interning with Entergy Arkansas would help me continue to develop myself individually, as I continue to explore different areas of work that pique my interest, as well as suit my abilities.

What are some of the duties you have performed during your internship?
In my role as a Customer Service Support intern, I have primarily spent my time conducting the Net ���ϳԹ��� Metering and Deceased Persons processes. Through my introductions to these processes, I have successfully learned how to navigate the CCS platform to complete several tasks, including looking up customer billing histories, closing tickets, changing customer information based on customer feedback and issuing move outs. I have also helped ensure that the notifications in specialized email inboxes remain minimal. Most importantly, my main duty during my internship was to accomplish the goal I made for myself, in which I would be helpful and teachable in order to help the CSS group in any way that was needed.

What are some other things you have learned that you didn’t necessarily expect during your internship?
During my internship, I did not expect to develop a passion for the ever-evolving climate of the utility industry, nor did I expect to develop such strong relationships with the individuals in the Customer Service Support group here at Entergy Arkansas. I was also surprised to learn how much of an importance our corporation places on volunteering in the community; it truly warmed my heart to learn that the company I was working for not only wanted to help me be my best, but also finds it equally as important to help those in the community be their best as well. As I sadly reach the conclusion of my internship, one of the most intriguing lessons I am left with about Entergy Arkansas is their relentless passion to continue to elevate themselves, a passion that consumes all the departments at this company, which helps them to continue to play a prominent role in the community

What do you hope to do upon graduation and how has this internship prepared you?
Upon graduation, I hope to enroll in law school, to make my childhood dream of becoming a lawyer a reality. Because of my exposure to a new realm during my internship, I now believe that I would like to explore my options as a Corporate or Regulatory (Utility) attorney, in order to continue my work with my Entergy family. I was able to spend time with Sr. Legal Counsel Jana Law this summer to learn more about her role and how it ties into my interests. I also received an opportunity to job shadow work management and Customer Service Manager Katrina Brown. Through my time in the Customer Service department, I have acquired more confidence in myself as a speaker, writer and team player, as this summer pushed me to pay more attention to details in order to perform efficiently and contribute positively to my team.

Anything else you’d like to add?
My summer with Entergy Arkansas has influenced my life, both professionally and personally, as my new experiences have helped me grow as an individual. I look forward to seeing where my future takes me and hopefully Entergy is included in that future!��

The Sandy Bayou project is a 500/230kV substation that will support the operations of the second mill that will be constructed, owned and operated by U. S. Steel in in Osceola, Arkansas.

The foundations for the substation yards and transformer pads have been completed. Steel, insulators and capacitor voltage transformers are being installed at the substation, with the steel to be completely erected by August. When completed, the substation will be able to accommodate future expansions should the area see continued growth.

A groundbreaking was held in early 2022 on the grounds of U.S. Steel’s first mill in the area, Big River Steel, which began operations in 2016 and is Entergy Arkansas’ largest industrial customer.

The mill project is the largest economic development project in the history of the state. It is a next-generation, highly sustainable and technologically advanced steel mill. Its construction has brought more than 1,100 workers to the area, contributing to the economic impact of the area.

Sandy Bayou’s construction is also contributing to the local economy. The substation’s engineering, procurement and construction contractor reports that their local spend on the project is $11.6 million. They also work to use diverse suppliers on their projects whenever possible.

Entergy Arkansas also has partnered with U. S. Steel to donate to various charities in Osceola and Mississippi County. Entergy Arkansas donated $100,000 to help bolster $1 million in donations by U. S. Steel. Among the donations is a $425,000 grant to relocate the South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center’s (SMCRMC) emergency room, which was damaged by flooding, buy life-saving equipment and construct a helipad.

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With relentless thunderstorms and extreme weather seeming to be never-ending this year, Entergy Arkansas has been working to strengthen the electrical grid – installing stronger and larger poles, thicker wire and automatically operated equipment to limit future outages and weather-related damage.

When tornadoes swept through the state the last day of March, Entergy replaced broken, wooden transmission poles with steel poles buried nine feet into the ground. Wooden distribution poles were replaced with larger, stronger ones and in certain instances concrete poles. Lines were buried where feasible to alleviate tree-related outages and the size of conductors were upgraded where it made sense to do so.

“We are building for the future and allowing for future growth,” said Vice President of Reliability Michael Considine. “With electric vehicles and other technologies that will show up over time, it is smart to build in that capacity now.”

As crews continue to upgrade the electric grid, it is hoped that steps like these can lead to a time when no customer experiences a power outage. It is an ambitious goal, but one that the company believes is worth pursuing.