AVAIO Digital Partners has announced plans for a massive new data center campus near Little Rock, marking the largest economic investment in Arkansas history.
The project, known as AVAIO Digital Leo, will be built in Pulaski County and support cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies. Development will begin with a $6 billion investment from AVAIO and its customers, with total investment expected to exceed $21 billion over multiple phases. Construction on the first phase is expected to start in early 2026 and be completed by June 2027.
The 760-acre campus will house advanced computing, networking, data storage and power infrastructure. AVAIO is currently contracted with Entergy Arkansas for 150 megawatts of power, with demand projected to grow to as much as 1 gigawatt as the campus expands.
“AVAIO Digital’s $6 billion data center hub represents the largest economic investment in Arkansas’ history and sets the Natural State up to become a technology powerhouse that can compete with any state in the nation,” said Governor Sanders. “Just last year, Arkansas led the way and passed legislation that reduced the regulatory timeline for new energy projects by more than half and offered new incentives to data center investments. This announcement confirms that cutting red tape and cultivating a pro-business, pro-growth environment is not only appealing to companies; it is what makes Arkansas one of the best states to live and work.”
The project is expected to create more than 500 permanent operations jobs over the next five years, along with thousands of construction jobs during development. State and local leaders cited Arkansas’ workforce, energy infrastructure and connectivity to major markets as key factors in the site selection.
“It is our intention that this extraordinary 760-acre site in the Little Rock area will be both a major pole of data center capacity and an engine of sustained economic and technological momentum for Arkansas,” said Mark McComiskey, CEO of AVAIO Digital. “With a first phase investment of $6 billion and over $21 billion through full development, infrastructure of this scale requires support from communities and partners, and we thank Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald, and Entergy Arkansas for helping make this possible. We look forward to continuing to work with these partners and the local communities as we break ground in early 2026.”
“Because of Arkansas’ favorable position on power, land, teamwork from state and local stakeholders and a can-do business climate, we are experiencing unprecedented growth,” said Secretary McDonald. “We’re excited about AVAIO’s commitment to Arkansas and the significant benefits it will bring to the state for years to come.”
Entergy Arkansas President and CEO Laura Landreaux said the project highlights the state’s ability to support large-scale growth.
“We are pleased to welcome AVAIO Digital to central Arkansas and are excited about the benefits their investments and jobs bring to our community,” Landreaux said. “This first phase of AVAIO Digital’s project represents yet another success story of attracting new customers and employers, which in turn will drive down costs for everyone.”
READ ALSO: Farmers & Merchants Bank Promotes Maynard to Commercial Banking President
