By Zack Stovall
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — The head of Ford Motor Company’s philanthropic arm said Thursday the auto giant is in discussions with the Clinton School of Public Service to enhance scholarship or fellowship opportunities at the school.

Despite tough times for the auto industry, Ford continues to invest in communities, said Jim Vella, president of the Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.

“It’s part of our DNA,” Vella said in an interview with the Arkansas News Bureau. “Henry Ford once said that a company that only makes money is a poor company. We still believe that today.”

He was in Arkansas for a speech at the Clinton school.

No details were announced, but both parties have stated their interest and desire to work together.

Skip Rutherford, dean of the Clinton school, said Ford has a long record of helping communities and looks forward to working with the company.

“The sooner the better for us, obviously,” Rutherford said.