Attraction
Biggest Locations in Region's History Make Little Rock Hottest Market in South
Southern Business and Development magazine put Metro Little Rock atop its regions thriving in a tough economy. Editor Michael Randle wrote that there is “no doubt in our minds which southern market we would place at the top of the list." And that went to press before the latest two announcements.
On March 12th, Chicago-based Schulze and Burch Biscuit Co., a leading manufacturer of wholesome snacks, announced it would locate a new production facility in Searcy. The 500,000-square-foot facility, formerly home to Maytag, will eventually employ approximately 250 people.
Caterpillar, the world’s largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, announced on January 5th that it would locate its new North American motor grader production facility in North Little Rock. The company will locate in the former Deluxe Video building, where it will invest $140 million and employ approximately 600 people, with production expected to begin in early 2010.
The first location of 2008 came on February 26, 2008, as BJ Services Company announced plans to build an $82 million regional headquarters in Searcy, which will employ 150.
June 19, 2008 brought HP's announcement of 1,200 new jobs and a $28 million capital investment for Conway.
On October 8, 2008, Polymarin announced that it would locate in the old Levi Strauss building to manufacture high performance rotor blades for the wind industry. With an estimated $16 million capital investment, Polymarin anticipates employing 630 people at an average wage of $15 an hour within four years. Further, Wind Water Technology (WWT),a supplier to Polymarin's parent
company, EWT, will locate in the same facility, invest $4 million and employ 200 people. That’s 830 new jobs added to LM Glasfiber's projected 1,100 in the highly desirable sustainable energy industry.
All projects originated with and were coordinated by the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, Metro Little Rock Alliance and Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
For more information, Joey Dean (Vice President, Economic Development; Executive Director, Metro Little Rock Alliance), 501.377.6006.