The Little Rock Regional Chamber has successfully secured $2 million in site development funding for the Little Rock Port Megasite through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s (AEDC) Site Development Program. The funds will be used to complete site due diligence, demolish on-site structures and clear the land to enhance readiness for industrial development.
The AEDC Site Development Program provides matching funds for projects that improve industrial site readiness, positioning Arkansas to compete more effectively against neighboring states that have invested heavily in site development. Comparatively, Missouri has invested $75 million, Mississippi $56 million, Alabama and Oklahoma $30 million each, and Tennessee $18 million.
The Port of Little Rock, home to over 50 companies, including eight international firms, employs nearly 10,000 Arkansans. Since 2020, 11 companies have made substantial investments in the port area. Workers from 48 counties are employed at the port or the nearby airport, highlighting the region’s critical role in driving economic activity.
In October, the chamber hosted a panel of site location consultants who emphasized the importance of site preparation. Recommendations included removing trees, delineating wetlands and conducting soil evaluations to attract potential business investments. More than $20 million in city and federal funding has been allocated to purchasing land and building infrastructure for the megasite.
This new funding will allow the chamber to accelerate its efforts to position the Little Rock Port Megasite as a leading destination for corporate investment.
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