LITTLE ROCK — A long-running effort to attract an automotive plant to central Arkansas may be reaching a pivotal moment. Officials from the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce confirmed Monday that discussions with an unnamed automotive manufacturer are in advanced stages for a potential facility at the Port of Little Rock.
The proposed development, referred to as Project Redwood, would utilize 560 acres at the port for manufacturing buildings, a test track, and rail infrastructure. The site’s construction timeline is contingent on receiving necessary permits, with work targeted to begin in late 2027 and conclude by late 2028. Jack Thomas, senior vice president of economic development at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the significance of the project, describing the decade-long effort to establish an automotive megasite in the area. The 875-acre megasite holds the potential to generate thousands of jobs and inject billions of dollars into the region’s economy.
In preparation for the project, the Little Rock Port Authority filed for a state water quality certification in early October, a step necessary for drainage work on the site. As part of the permitting process, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to release a public notice regarding the project in the coming days. Thomas, however, declined to name the manufacturer engaged in the discussions.
“For the last decade, we’ve worked to put together a megasite in central Arkansas here in Little Rock to be able to compete for automotive projects,” Thomas said.
The proposed megasite represents a significant investment in infrastructure and economic development for central Arkansas. Additional updates are anticipated as permitting and negotiations progress.