22 Sep 2025 Tempus Realty Partners unveils GROW: A first-of-its-kind savings program in Arkansas
JACKSONVILLE — Tempus Realty Partners today unveiled GROW (Generational Resources and Opportunities for Well-Being), a first-of-its-kind funded savings program in Arkansas. Through GROW, Tempus will provide seed funding, as well as financial incentives and targeted financial education, to empower Murrell Taylor Elementary (MTE) scholars and educators to invest early in 529 plans to achieve educational and career success.
“GROW will have a lasting impact for scholars, educators and the larger Central Arkansas community—a place where many of our investors, partners and team members are proud to live and work,” said Dan Andrews, managing partner and CEO of Tempus. “Our seed investment is only part of the equation. The unique combination of support that GROW offers is designed to spark lifelong financial stability.”
For the 2025-2026 school year, Tempus will provide an initial investment of $600 for each kindergarten through fifth-grade scholar at MTE and their direct classroom teachers, principal and assistant principal. Tempus will offer an additional $300 in annual incentive savings for scholars and teachers who achieve goals in attendance, engagement and financial education, with a money-management curriculum informed by Economics Arkansas. With support from an annual grant, MTE will also have a GROW Ambassador, who will serve as a liaison between the school, scholars and their families and program partners.
Tempus will make an additional $300 investment in the 2026-2027 school year for individuals with existing GROW accounts, as well as a $600 per-person seed investment for all new kindergarten and transfer scholars. Tempus designed GROW’s scalable structure as a model for other investors to consider for future expansion and replication.
“GROW embodies the kind of innovative, community-focused program we need to support our scholars, teachers and schools,” said Dr. Jeremy Owoh, superintendent of the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. “This program empowers our young learners and educators to pursue—and achieve—their aspirations while emphasizing the importance of lifelong financial well-being. We’re proud to see GROW take root here in Jacksonville.”
Along with Economics Arkansas, GROW is made possible through a partnership with the Arkansas State Treasurer’s office, which administers the state’s Brighter Future 529 Plan, allowing account holders to withdraw funds tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses. The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service is engaged in a multi-year evaluation to measure GROW’s impact and inform program improvements.
“For many families in Arkansas, saving for higher education can be a luxury,” said Treasurer of State John Thurston. “We’re excited to partner with Tempus to provide an accessible pathway to help make the dreams of Murrell Taylor scholars and teachers achievable and promote lasting financial security.”
Research consistently shows that establishing savings accounts for children helps ensure positive outcomes, including long-term asset building. Higher Education Policy and Prosperity Now, formerly the Corporation for Enterprise Development, found that students with college savings of up to $500 are three times as likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate than those without any savings. Research by Brookings showed college students earn more over the course of their careers than those who do not pursue higher education, which has a positive ripple effect on their local communities and economy.
About Tempus Realty Partners
Tempus Realty Partners is an investor-centric real estate investment partnership focused on acquiring and developing commercial real estate mainly in the South and Midwest. The strategy of Tempus is to create superior risk-adjusted returns via unique commercial real estate opportunities by investing with its network of partners in targeted cities. Tempus has acquired more than $1 billion of property in 25 states since forming in 2016. For more information, visit tempusrealty.com.
