SPRINGDALE, Ark. (July 29, 2025) — As Cargill prepares to close its Springdale turkey processing plant after 60 years of operation, the company has made a $25,000 charitable contribution to the Jones Center in honor of the families and individuals who built and sustained its local presence since 1965.
The plant, which began operations six decades ago, will cease operations on Aug. 1, 2025. Cargill’s gift to the Jones Center pays tribute to the many families, partner farmers and the broader Northwest Arkansas community who supported the company over the years.
“For generations, the people of Springdale and Cargill have stood side by side,” said Shane Acosta, assistant vice president and general manager of Springdale plant operations. “We have fed families, built a strong regional economy and created lasting memories. Our roots in this community are deep, and we are incredibly proud of everything we’ve accomplished together.”
The $25,000 donation will sponsor the Jones Center’s Funday Sundays, a monthly program offering free family fun days at the ice arena or aquatic center. The gift also supports the Access for Everyone program, which ensures all families can enjoy Jones Center resources regardless of their ability to pay.
“Cargill has been a valued partner to the Jones Center for over 15 years,” said Joe Lloyd, president and CEO of the Jones Center. “This generous gift is more than a donation, it is a heartfelt tribute to the hardworking people who made Cargill what it is in Northwest Arkansas. We want every Cargill family to know the Jones Center has been here for nearly 30 years, and we are here for you in the days to come.”
Each year, the Jones Center has proudly hosted the Cargill Family Fun Day, celebrating the vibrant culture and close-knit community of the company. “We will truly miss seeing those joyful gatherings,” Lloyd said. “This contribution will allow Cargill’s legacy to live on through the families who continue to thrive and play together under our roof.”
Cargill’s legacy in Springdale includes decades of economic development, philanthropy and community building through partnerships like the one with the Jones Center. This latest gift ensures the company’s lasting impact will continue to benefit families across the region every time a child skates for free or a parent takes their family swimming through Access for Everyone.
About The Jones Center
The Jones Center is a regional destination in downtown Springdale where everyone can learn, play and thrive. The 220,000 square-foot center features Northwest Arkansas’ only indoor ice arena — an important amenity for the growing region — as well as the Tyson Foods Fitness Center, an indoor pool complex, a gymnasium with indoor track and a conference center. The Jones Center hosts arts, cultural and STEM-based programming that celebrates the diversity of the region, as well as classes for youth in sports, recreation and education. The center’s 55-acre campus features the world-class Runway Bike Park and Velosolutions pump track and provides housing and collaborative space for dozens of regional nonprofits. The Center was founded in 1995 by Springdale philanthropist Bernice Jones, the wife of Jones Truck Lines founder Harvey Jones. The Jones Center continues to follow Bernice Jones’ vision of being a destination where all are welcome and no one is turned away based on their ability to pay. Through the generous support of the Walmart Foundation, the Jones Center proudly provides program scholarships and activity passes to area children and families. To learn more, visit thejonescenter.net.
