TRAIN SALINE STAY SALINE Years in the making Continued from page 4 The business created 2,000 jobs there and even more growth is in the works, he said. Along with helping to cause economic growth, officials also learned that these types of centers reduce the drop out rates and increase college attendance rates among attending students. Students attending these centers stayed in high school, got a degree in high school and then decided to go to college instead of dropping out, he said. After coming back from the trip to Texas, Cornwell said he was all in. Over the years, various partners in the project have come and gone, including changes in business and education partners. There were also mayoral and superintendent changes along with a change in the Saline County judge's seat Comwell describes himself and Saline County Judge Jeff Arey as Butch and the Sundance Kid. "I asked him to grab a hold of the end of this belt and jump off the cliff with me," he said. Arey said he was involved in the earlier study as the mayor of Haskell, but he really sunk into the project when he became county judge. Along with getting buy-in from local partners, the project had to receive support for the community, since the construction of the campus was funded through a countywide tax. Comwell said he and Arey made numerous presentations across the county ranging from speaking at large events to sitting down with voters at a diner in East End. Other partners in the project also did their part to inform voters about the project. Through the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce and the Hot Springs Village Chamber of Commerce local business owners also got involved in the campaign process. Under the direction of a campaign consultant, the partners learned they needed a slogan for the campaign. That's where the motto "Train Saline, Stay Saline" came into play, Cornwell said. The campaign for Issue 6 ended with more than 54 percent of voters cast their ballots in favor of the tax. I've tried to think through my life and I can't think of anything that everybody got behind," Comwell said. Throughout this project, the theme that resonated has been "together we can make a difference," Cornwell said. In the end, he hopes that this campus will be one that people will come to see as a model. Arey said the opening of the center has been surreal. "I've been in elected office for nearly 24 years and there 6 are a lot of times when you work on big projects or big ideas," Arey said. "Some of them come about and some of them don't come about. This is probably the biggest and this is something, in my mind, that is transformative for not only Saline County but this entire area." He said he is also excited that he was able to play a role in this project. "I don't know of another project that we have like this one to where there were no lines. No one said 'well that's your territory, not my territory or that's going to have an impact on you, but not on me," he said. "It's just an example of if we start dropping the territory lines and pulling together... this is the kind of things we can do." Comwell said the project was not an easy one. He leaned on his faith and prayed a lot about the project and now it is one he is proud of. What used to be Continued from page 4 "My dad always told me work hard and don't quit until you're train the future for our kids, but proud," he said. "We can't we can train our kids for the Officials eventually decided that they needed a bigger facility with more school districts involved to make it work. future." Comwell said he is excited to see what is next for this one-of- a-kind center. "There are a lot of kids that the normal 38 unit "There is just no limitations," Cornwell said. After years and years of work, when asked how he felt when students entered that campus, he said he did. not have the words. He just continued praying for the future of the project. requirement for K-12 school is just not for them. They just fall through the cracks. The one size fits all somet times is just not going to fit ... so that's why you have to have different offerings," Broadway said. "This will be a game changer for Saline County," Comwell said. He added that many students who have experience in this programs tend to pursue other Arey shared similar thoughts. He noted that the building is impressive and will motive students. educational opportunities. Everyone knew this project would take time, but is excited, he said. now that it's here, everyone I'm more about than the facilities, is what is going to be happening in that facility... that's why we've really done what we've done." he said. "Getting the skills that. people need to go out and get good jobs that are local." "It's just the beginning." he said. "The people of Saline County should be proud of what we have accomplished together." TRAIN SALINE STAY SALINE Years in the making Continued from page 4 The business created 2,000 jobs there and even more growth is in the works , he said . Along with helping to cause economic growth , officials also learned that these types of centers reduce the drop out rates and increase college attendance rates among attending students . Students attending these centers stayed in high school , got a degree in high school and then decided to go to college instead of dropping out , he said . After coming back from the trip to Texas , Cornwell said he was all in . Over the years , various partners in the project have come and gone , including changes in business and education partners . There were also mayoral and superintendent changes along with a change in the Saline County judge's seat Comwell describes himself and Saline County Judge Jeff Arey as Butch and the Sundance Kid . " I asked him to grab a hold of the end of this belt and jump off the cliff with me , " he said . Arey said he was involved in the earlier study as the mayor of Haskell , but he really sunk into the project when he became county judge . Along with getting buy - in from local partners , the project had to receive support for the community , since the construction of the campus was funded through a countywide tax . Comwell said he and Arey made numerous presentations across the county ranging from speaking at large events to sitting down with voters at a diner in East End . Other partners in the project also did their part to inform voters about the project . Through the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce , the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce and the Hot Springs Village Chamber of Commerce local business owners also got involved in the campaign process . Under the direction of a campaign consultant , the partners learned they needed a slogan for the campaign . That's where the motto " Train Saline , Stay Saline " came into play , Cornwell said . The campaign for Issue 6 ended with more than 54 percent of voters cast their ballots in favor of the tax . I've tried to think through my life and I can't think of anything that everybody got behind , " Comwell said . Throughout this project , the theme that resonated has been " together we can make a difference , " Cornwell said . In the end , he hopes that this campus will be one that people will come to see as a model . Arey said the opening of the center has been surreal . " I've been in elected office for nearly 24 years and there 6 are a lot of times when you work on big projects or big ideas , " Arey said . " Some of them come about and some of them don't come about . This is probably the biggest and this is something , in my mind , that is transformative for not only Saline County but this entire area . " He said he is also excited that he was able to play a role in this project . " I don't know of another project that we have like this one to where there were no lines . No one said ' well that's your territory , not my territory or that's going to have an impact on you , but not on me , " he said . " It's just an example of if we start dropping the territory lines and pulling together ... this is the kind of things we can do . " Comwell said the project was not an easy one . He leaned on his faith and prayed a lot about the project and now it is one he is proud of . What used to be Continued from page 4 " My dad always told me work hard and don't quit until you're train the future for our kids , but proud , " he said . " We can't we can train our kids for the Officials eventually decided that they needed a bigger facility with more school districts involved to make it work . future . " Comwell said he is excited to see what is next for this one - of a - kind center . " There are a lot of kids that the normal 38 unit " There is just no limitations , " Cornwell said . After years and years of work , when asked how he felt when students entered that campus , he said he did . not have the words . He just continued praying for the future of the project . requirement for K - 12 school is just not for them . They just fall through the cracks . The one size fits all somet times is just not going to fit ... so that's why you have to have different offerings , " Broadway said . " This will be a game changer for Saline County , " Comwell said . He added that many students who have experience in this programs tend to pursue other Arey shared similar thoughts . He noted that the building is impressive and will motive students . educational opportunities . Everyone knew this project would take time , but is excited , he said . now that it's here , everyone I'm more about than the facilities , is what is going to be happening in that facility ... that's why we've really done what we've done . " he said . " Getting the skills that . people need to go out and get good jobs that are local . " " It's just the beginning . " he said . " The people of Saline County should be proud of what we have accomplished together . "