March 27th Update

March 27th, 2026

Mr. Wayne Mays - wmays@hammrc.com

HAMMRC Board Kicks Off 2026 in Farmington

The HAMMRC Board of Directors met in the Farmington City Hall Jan. 9, 2026. Josh Hutchins of the Tahlequah Regional Development Authority is the new Board Chair.

The Board made a few housekeeping changes. It will meet four times a year, instead of six, and the HAMMRC newsletter will be sent quarterly, instead of every other month.

Mays and Hutchins briefly discussed the loss of two members. The City of Lincoln withdrew, citing budget constraints and absence of resources needed to attract prospect companies. The Cherokee Nation also withdrew, noting the overlapping expenses between HAMMRC and the Nation's economic development department.

Wayne Mays, executive director, gave a year-end report for 2025. Successes in 2025, Mays said, included helping to attract an injection molding company - which makes a medical device- that relocated from Canada to Tahlequah and assisting a defense-related company get established in south Washington County. Mays said both companies will benefit the communities that belong to the regional organization.

Internally, the Farmington Chamber of Commerce organized a "class" of eight of their members who completed the AEP/SWEPCO online class "Energizing Economic Development."

Focus areas for 2026 will be to continue contacts with 12 active prospect companies, ramp up advertising and marketing plans and consider participating in trade shows that are focused on medical devices.

Photo by Lynn Kutter of the Washington County Enterprise-Leader.
(L to R) Wayne Mays, Nathan Reed, Mayor Ernie Penn, Mayor Jean Ann Wright, Josh Hutchins, Jennifer Irwin, and Ashley Harris of Ozarks Electric.

Healthcare Showcase

HAMMRC had a very visible presence at the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce "Healthcare Showcase" on Feb. 24, 2026. Similar to a trade show, the showcase attracted professionals in the healthcare industry in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. Executive Director Wayne Mays joined 60 exhibitors and around 300 attendees. He made several good contacts with regional corporate representatives and secured two potential prospect company's contact information. We paid $1000 as a Bronze Sponsor for this event.

The Leadership Team considered the value of the showcase and HAMMRC's participation in future trade shows such as the Medical Device and Manufacturing Show West. The MD&M show would help HAMMRC focus on the West coast as we target companies on the move from California to our region. Mayor Jean Ann Wright of Stilwell has extensive experience with trade shows; she said 90% of "wins" come from "selling yourself" and she has a positive impression of trade shows. Mays estimates that a trade show trip would cost around $2500-$3000; the next MD&M show will be in Feb., 2027.

Clean Room

The University of Arkansas NANO Fabrication Lab has recently completed building and outfitting several clean rooms for University and external short-term usage. Separate bays are available for "med tech," "metal-free," "metrology," "lithography," and "deposition," as well as a "clean room." Lab manager Solomon Ojo is finalizing the protocols for usage by external companies and these will be posted on their website soon. For NANO Lab contact information contact Wayne at 479-238-6999.

Our current research indicates no other known clean rooms on the University campus or elsewhere in NWA/NEO. These rooms are state-of-the-art and very secure.

Honoring Leadership and Service: Spotlight on HAMMRC and Wayne Mays

The Chamber is proud to spotlight one of its valued Chamber Fayetteville Partners, the Heartland Medical Manufacturing Region Cluster (HAMMRC), and its Executive Director Wayne Mays. Wayne, (3rd from rt.) is with regional Rotary Past District Governors and Larry Lunsford, Rotary International President-Elect (4th from rt).

Wayne is a highly respected leader in Northwest Arkansas known both for his role with HAMMRC and his past service as president and CEO of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce. He has also served as a past District Governor of Rotary. His leadership across business, community, and service organizations reflect the collaborative spirit that makes NWA a strong place for health innovation and community impact.

HAMMRC continues to champion the growth of medical manufacturing and healthcare innovation throughout the region. Partnerships like this bring together business leadership and community service, strengthening the local economy and the health and well-being of the broader community.

If you would like to learn more about partnering with HAMMRC, please contact Wayne Mays, Executive Director.