Tyson Foods gives $750,000 to The Jones Center

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 213 views 

Tyson Foods donated $750,000 to The Jones Center for a project to renovate and expand its fitness center and food court, according to a news release from the Springdale-based meat producer.

The donation was announced at the Springdale nonprofit’s Big Night gala held Saturday (Oct. 29). The money will be used to add more than 2,800 square feet to the fitness center, a studio exercise classroom, café, dining area and an updated west entrance.

The gift kicks off the second phase of The Jones Center’s interior renovation. Construction is set to start in early December and should be completed in six months.

“This gift will allow the center to offer amenities and programming that will meet the Northwest Arkansas’ growing, diverse needs, as well as a growing downtown workforce in Springdale,” Ed Clifford, CEO and president of The Jones Trust, said in the release. “Our partnership with Tyson Foods will be transformational for us as the company transitions about 400 employees to downtown.”

The renovated area will be named the Tyson Foods Fitness and Food Wing.

“We’re so proud to continue our support of The Jones Center and the tremendous impact it has on our community,” Russell Tooley, executive vice president of continuous improvement for Tyson, said in the release. “These new amenities add to the legacy and the future of The Jones Center as a crown jewel for Northwest Arkansas.”