The state’s longest public-use runway does not reside at Clinton National in Little Rock, nor does it call Northwest Arkansas National in Bentonville home.
Arkansas’ longest stretch of runway, at 11,600 feet, can be found at the Arkansas Aeroplex in Blytheville.
Opened as Arkansas International Airport after the closure of Eaker Air Force Base, formally Blytheville AFB, in 1992, the aeroplex has evolved into an aviation and aerospace industrial hub. Many former Air Force structures on the 100-plus-acre site have been transformed into move-in-ready hangars and industrial sites for a variety of uses, including a jet-repair facility operated by Miami-based Aviation Repair Technologies. Plus, the National Cold War Center is being planned for the site, an ode to the former base, which played such a crucial role in the Cold War.
Aeroplex president Barrett Harrison said he is seeing steady momentum from interested firms.
Barrett Harrison
“Companies are looking for sites that are ready to go, and the aeroplex gives them that,” he said. “Whether it’s aviation, logistics or light manufacturing, we can offer space, infrastructure and the ability to scale, which has made a real difference in attracting new business.”
Harrison said the aeroplex is seeing interest across the aviation, defense and distribution sectors. The site’s proximity to major rail, Interstate 55 and the Mississippi River, its already established infrastructure, and a business-friendly regulatory environment are strong calling cards, he added.
“The runway and location together are what really get people’s attention,” he said. “At 11,600 feet, there’s nothing flying that can’t land here. That puts us on the radar for companies that build aircraft, test them and support them through maintenance and repair. Then you add our proximity to Memphis and FedEx right down I-55, and it reinforces the value of being here from a logistics standpoint.”
Even as Mississippi County established itself as the nation’s steel hub, the aeroplex remains one of the county’s most important assets, said Mississippi County Judge John Alan Nelson.
John Alan Nelson
“It gives us a place to compete for projects we would not have been able to pursue otherwise,” he said. “Between new tenant activity, ongoing site improvements and the amount of interest we’re seeing, it’s helping drive job creation and positioning Mississippi County for long-term growth. We’re continuing to invest in the property to support that interest. That includes planning work to guide future land use and pursuing additional funding for infrastructure improvements. The focus is making sure we’re ready when opportunities come, and right now, we’re seeing more and more of those opportunities.”
Harrison said he is seeing demand from each of the aviation, defense and distribution sectors, and the focus is on making sure the space and infrastructure are there to support that growth over time.
“The level of interest right now is very strong,” he said. “We’re having a lot of conversations with prospective tenants across aviation and industrial uses. To keep building on that, we’re making upgrades to the property, including improvements to security at entry points and enhanced lighting across the aeroplex.”
Image above: The 11,600-foot runway at the old Eaker Air Force Base is ready for use. (Photo provided)
[Editor’s note: This story has been modified to reflect that the Arkansas Aeroplex runway is the longest public-use runway in the state.]
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