November 8, 1973

Voters approved the proposal to initiate a four-mill tax to finance construction of East Arkansas Community College (EACC), a comprehensive two-year college dedicated to meeting the educational needs of its service area in eastern Arkansas. The college, located in Forrest City (St. Francis County), has served as a leader for social and economic improvement and continued growth in the region. The first classes for EACC were held in 1974. In 2017, EACC merged with the nearby Crowley’s Ridge Technical Institute (CRTI), and EACC assumed the property, personnel, and funding of CRTI. In 2024, EACC began exploring a partnership with the University of Arkansas System; that same year, the Higher Learning Commission gave its approval, making it the University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College (UAEACC). UAEACC boasts one of the lowest tuition rates in Arkansas, and the majority of its students are non-traditional. In addition to the regular students, hundreds of area residents of all ages participate in non-credit community education courses each year.