Little Rock Regional Chamber -

Little Rock South Port Site Accomplishes Site Certification

Arkansas native and legendary coach Bear Bryant said, “It is not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.” The Little Rock Port Authority, under the leadership of Bryan Day, has both the will to win and the will to prepare for the creation of jobs and attraction of capital investment to central Arkansas.

The Little Rock Port Authority today was recognized during the presentation of a $3,000.00 check by Entergy Arkansas’ Office of Business and Economic Development for receiving a Select Site certification for conducting a comprehensive review and documentation process for its 152-acre industrial site near I-440 in Little Rock. It was one of three such recognitions in the state Wednesday. Similar accomplishments were recognized in Newport and Russellville.

Critical to the success of the Little Rock Port Authority satisfying the stringent certification process was the assistance of Ben France, Director of Business Attraction and Expansion at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.
 
“Anytime we have the chance to take advantage of a program that raises the bar, we’re ready to participate. I want to thank Entergy Arkansas and the Chamber for being excellent partners in this success,” said Bryan Day, Executive Director of the Little Rock Port Authority.

Entergy Arkansas works with communities to help them implement an assessment tool that allows communities to certify their sites and communicate the prepared status to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, site location consultants and company decision makers.
 
“Along with providing reliable and affordable power with rates among the lowest in the country, Entergy Arkansas works to prepare the communities we serve for attracting new business and encouraging business expansions that result in new jobs, investments and economic growth,” said Danny Games, Director of Business and Economic Development for Entergy Arkansas.

Two other sites in Arkansas, the Russellville East End Industrial Park site and the Newport Airbase Industrial Park #1 site, also are being recognized today for receiving the Select Site certification. The Select Site program helps communities better prepare their sites as winning candidates for high-tech, manufacturing and distribution projects. Preparedness is a necessity for economic development success in today’s business environment. Site location consultants and prospective companies require immediate response times and communities must be able to respond effectively and efficiently on very short notice. Through the Select Site program and the Arkansas Site Selection Center, Entergy is helping to meet those needs. 

Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 700,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of approximately $11 billion and more than 13,000 employees.