J.B. Hunt Transport gives $500,000 to Walton Arts Center

J. B. Hunt Transport Services has made a $500,000 contribution to the Walton Arts Center toward the nonprofit’s $23 million fundraising campaign. The logistics company has been a long time WAC supporter.

The fundraising effort is needed to cover expenses for 30,000 additional square feet of space in the downtown Fayetteville location, as well as a new atrium, expanded lobby and other major renovations which are expected to be completed by the fall of 2016.

The Lowell-based trucking and logistics giant has also funded transportation subsidies to the Walton Arts Center over the years, according to the release.

“J.B. Hunt has been a generous supporter of transporting kids to Walton Arts Center for over two decades,” said Peter B. Lane, president and CEO of Walton Arts Center. “Their investment in the capital campaign strengthens the performing arts in NW Arkansas. Together, J.B. Hunt and Walton Arts Center will continue to positively impact the lives of families and children by increasing access to the arts in our community.”

Lane said private support is key to leveraging the generosity of J.B. Hunt Transport, the City of Fayetteville and its residents who voted in support of the fundraising efforts.

“The Walton Arts Center not only enriches the lives of children and families in Northwest Arkansas, it sculpts the creative minds of our future innovators. We could not be more pleased to provide our support and investment in this impactful initiative, assisting in the development of the arts in our own community,” said J.B. Hunt President and CEO John Roberts,