AGP Executive Report

Agriculture: Arkansas led the nation with 12 farm bankruptcies in the third quarter and 32 so far this year. Soybean harvest is ahead of schedule, but some farmers report sharply lower yields after summer heat; low Mississippi River levels could also raise grain-shipping costs. Manufacturing: L3Harris opened a Camden rocket-motor plant, expanding U.S. production capacity for tactical missiles. Energy & Data Centers: Entergy plans $600 million in power upgrades for Google’s West Memphis data center. Regulators say the deal could shift $308 million in costs to Arkansas ratepayers, while the companies say the partnership will bring customer savings. Northwest Arkansas: The region led peer metros in job growth in 2025, adding 8,300 jobs, while commercial real estate remained tight, with industrial vacancy at 5.3%. Workforce: Tenaris donated $200,000 in robotics equipment to Arkansas Northeastern College, supporting hands-on manufacturing training.

Food Processing: Midera Food Processing acquired Russellville-based Phoenix Innovations, a poultry-equipment maker with about $25 million in annual revenue, expanding its automation business. Farm Economy: Arkansas led the nation with 12 Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies in the third quarter and 32 so far this year, as rising costs and drought strain producers. Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris opened its Camden rocket-motor plant, aiming to double U.S. production capacity. Power & Data Centers: Entergy plans $600 million in grid upgrades tied to Google’s West Memphis data center, with the partnership also supporting renewable energy. Workforce Pipeline: Tenaris donated four industrial robots worth about $200,000 to Arkansas Northeastern College and will fund five manufacturing scholarships each year. Business Climate: Arkansas voters will decide whether to authorize local economic development districts, while Gov. Sarah Sanders announced 344 regulatory changes intended to streamline permits. Clean Energy Research: Arkansas State University researchers received an NSF grant to study turning wastewater into methane for heat and electricity.

Farm Finance: Arkansas led the nation in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies in the third quarter, with 12 filings and 32 so far this year, as rising input costs squeeze producers. Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris opened its East Camden rocket-motor plant, designed to double production for HIMARS and other systems, with further Arkansas expansion planned. Energy and Data Centers: Entergy plans $600 million in power upgrades tied to Google’s West Memphis data center, a major investment in the region’s electricity infrastructure. Workforce Development: Tenaris donated four industrial robots worth about $200,000 to Arkansas Northeastern College and will fund five manufacturing scholarships annually. Freight Infrastructure: A $23 million federal grant will help build a truck parking and rest facility along future I-49 in Crawford County, with space for about 130 trucks. Agriculture and Research: Drought has pushed many Arkansas crops toward an early harvest, while Arkansas State researchers will study turning wastewater into methane for heat and electricity.

Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris opened a new Camden rocket-motor plant designed to double production capacity, expanding Arkansas’ role in supplying precision missiles. The project is part of a $216 million federal agreement. Energy Investment: Entergy Arkansas plans $600 million in grid upgrades, battery storage, solar power and transmission lines for Google’s West Memphis data center. Google will cover the costs; the project still needs state approval. Environmental Technology: Little Rock-based Onterris completed a military-site prototype for treating PFAS-contaminated groundwater, earning a Defense Innovation Unit success memo that could open the door to federal deployments. Agriculture and Logistics: Arkansas’ corn and rice harvests are complete and soybeans are nearly finished, but low Mississippi River levels could complicate grain shipments and weigh on prices. Workforce Development: Tenaris donated $200,000 in robotics equipment to Arkansas Northeastern College to train students for manufacturing jobs. Business Climate: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced 344 regulatory changes aimed at streamlining permits and cutting red tape.

Defense Technology: Little Rock-based Onterris completed a PFAS-treatment prototype for the Defense Department, earning a success memo that could clear the way for federal deployment. Energy and Data Centers: Entergy plans about $600 million in grid upgrades for Google’s expanding West Memphis data center, including solar, battery storage and transmission lines. Google will cover the costs; the project needs state utility commission approval. Manufacturing Workforce: Tenaris donated $200,000 in robotics equipment to Arkansas Northeastern College and will fund five annual scholarships, building a talent pipeline for Mississippi County manufacturers. Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris opened a new solid rocket motor facility in East Camden to boost production capacity. Agriculture and Shipping: Arkansas harvest is nearing completion, but low Mississippi River levels are raising barge costs and pressuring local grain prices, a risk for farmers and exporters. Business Climate: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced 344 regulatory changes aimed at streamlining permits and cutting red tape.

Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris opened a Camden solid rocket motor plant designed to double production capacity, backed by a $216 million Defense Department agreement. Data Centers & Power: Google’s West Memphis expansion brings about $600 million in planned, Google-funded grid and power investments, with Entergy projecting $500 million in added customer savings. But a new regulatory filing redacts key details, including Google’s rising power demand and contributions. Arkansas Industry: Trex is accelerating its Little Rock factory ramp-up and expects to reach half capacity by year-end. Arkansas also hit a September employment record, with unemployment steady at 3.9%. Workforce & Transport: Northwest Technical Institute and the state are connecting employers with funding for short-term industry training, while Patriot Rail won federal funding for track, bridge and locomotive upgrades, including work on its Arkansas line. Agriculture: Severe drought covers 65% of Arkansas, raising risks for crops and wildfire as farmers face higher fuel costs.

Data Center Power: Entergy filed a heavily redacted plan for Google’s expanding West Memphis campus, including two battery facilities, while seeking to keep details such as Google’s increased power demand and contributions confidential. Entergy says Google will fund about $600 million in infrastructure and power resources, with the deal expected to deliver at least $500 million in added customer savings. Manufacturing: Trex plans to have its Port of Little Rock plant operating at 50% capacity by year-end, accelerating production by more than six months. Mountain Valley Spring Water has opened a 200,000-square-foot Hot Springs factory, with bottling expected to start in November. Workforce: UAFS launched a free manufacturing academy for 20 trainees, while NWTI and the state are connecting businesses with funding for short-term industry training. Energy & Jobs: A new 7.2-megawatt solar project is expected to supply up to 20% of Beaver Water District’s electricity. Arkansas also hit record employment in September, with manufacturing adding 600 jobs; unemployment held at 3.9%.

Data Center Power: Google’s expanded Entergy Arkansas partnership will fund solar power, battery storage and grid upgrades for its planned West Memphis data center. Entergy says the deal will bring at least $500 million in customer savings starting in 2028, with Google covering the resources it needs. Farm Energy Costs: Arkansas farmers told lawmakers that charges under the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act have added thousands of dollars to their bills. Sen. Jimmy Hickey apologized for supporting the law, and some legislators called for repeal. Rice Research: Anheuser-Busch awarded $130,000 to University of Arkansas researchers for projects on rice quality, brewing uses, water stewardship and crop management. Arkansas is the nation’s leading rice producer. Steel Innovation: Arkansas State University received $2.1 million for AI-driven steel research, linking university research with advanced manufacturing. Food Manufacturing: Primo Brands opened a new Mountain Valley factory in Arkansas, part of a reported $60 million investment expected to create 75 jobs.

Data Center Investment: Google is expanding its West Memphis campus, funding about $600 million in grid upgrades, battery storage and solar power. Entergy says the deal will bring at least $500 million in customer savings starting in 2028, with Google covering the new resources’ costs. Defense and Manufacturing: A $24.6 million access-control project at Pine Bluff Arsenal is moving ahead, while Hanwha Defense USA builds a $1.3 billion munitions campus there. Regional Business Growth: Integrated Openings Solutions has opened a Little Flock location near Rogers, strengthening its Northwest Arkansas presence after acquiring a Fort Smith company. Research and Workforce: Arkansas State University received $2.1 million for AI-driven steel research, and the state awarded transportation and workforce research grants to A-State and the University of Arkansas. Agriculture Under Pressure: Arkansas’ 14-month drought is raising wildfire risks and leaving duck habitat and surface water scarce; farmers can apply for Southern SARE grants of up to $25,000 to test sustainable farm projects.

Industrial Development: Forward Searcy Site 1 earned Entergy Arkansas’ Select Site certification, clearing the 44-acre property to compete for manufacturing, distribution and other projects. Agriculture: A University of Arkansas study will test whether an omega-3 feed supplement helps fall-born calves handle summer heat; the Arkansas Beef Council awarded $20,000 for the research. Business Policy: Arkansas voters are deciding Issue 3, which would let governments create economic development districts and use public funds to attract projects. Critics say the measure leaves key rules unwritten. Transportation: ARDOT is seeking public input on replacing the 1937 Spring River Bridge near Imboden; the existing bridge would stay open during construction. Company Watch: Rogers-based J.B. Hunt reported $172.4 million in quarterly profit as rising expenses squeezed results.

Transportation: ARDOT is seeking public input through Oct. 29 on replacing the 1937 Spring River Bridge near Imboden. The new bridge would have wider lanes and sidewalks, while the existing bridge stays open during construction. Data Center Costs: An Arkansas mother’s records request about a West Memphis data center’s solar costs led Entergy Arkansas to sue her and news outlets. The records reportedly indicated the company would cover about one-third of the solar plant’s cost, renewing questions about who pays the balance. Manufacturing & Research: SANY Nutrition Group opened an 89,100-square-foot food manufacturing facility in Jonesboro, while Arkansas State received $2.1 million for AI-driven steel research. Business & Logistics: J.B. Hunt reported a $172.4 million quarterly profit as rising expenses squeezed results; Crawford County also secured federal funding for truck parking.

Business: Rogers-based America’s Car-Mart shares fell 23% after the company received its seventh loan extension in six weeks. Broadband: Arkansas awarded Brightspeed its first $2.6 million in federal broadband funding, moving projects toward implementation. Advanced Manufacturing: Arkansas State University secured $2.1 million for AI research tied to steel manufacturing, while construction advances on its workforce training center; ARDOT also awarded research and workforce grants to A-State and the University of Arkansas. Manufacturing & Defense: Primo Brands opened a new Mountain Valley bottling factory as demand grows, and L3Harris landed a $250 million rocket-motor deal tied to its Camden operations. Site Development: Forward Searcy Site 1 earned Select Site certification, strengthening the area’s pitch to prospective employers. Logistics: A $23 million federal grant will help build a truck stop and rest area along the future I-49 segment in Arkansas.

Transportation: A Highway 84 bridge over the Antoine River in Pike County will close Oct. 19 through Nov. 19 for repairs, with detours in place. Industrial Development: Forward Searcy’s 44-acre Site 1 earned Entergy’s Select Site certification, positioning it to compete for manufacturing, distribution and other projects. Manufacturing and Research: Arkansas State University received $2.1 million for AI-driven steel research, while a $60 million Riggs facility is expected to create 75 jobs when it opens in 2027. Logistics: Arkansas secured a $23 million federal grant for a truck-parking and rest-area facility on the future I-49 segment in Crawford County. Business: Rogers-based America’s Car-Mart shares fell 23% after the company received its seventh loan extension in six weeks.

Industrial Development: Forward Searcy Site 1 earned Entergy’s Select Site certification, positioning the 44-acre property for manufacturing, distribution and other projects. Manufacturing Jobs: Little Rock’s $60 million Riggs Engine Rebuild Center has topped out. It is expected to open in 2027 with about 75 jobs, rebuilding Caterpillar engines and transmissions. A-State’s CREST workforce center also marked a construction milestone, with training planned for steel and advanced manufacturing. Connectivity: Arkansas awarded Brightspeed its first $2.6 million federal broadband payment toward projects expected to connect more than 13,700 homes and businesses in 25 counties. Energy and Data Centers: Grant County officials say a second data center is being planned near Redfield, along with a gas-fired power plant, though details remain limited. Brent crude reached $110 a barrel, and Arkansas gasoline averaged $3.93 a gallon, up from $2.64 a year ago. Business Strain: Rogers-based America’s Car-Mart shares fell 23% after lenders granted a seventh loan extension as the company seeks financing.

Business: Rogers-based America’s Car-Mart shares plunged 23% to $1.04 after lenders granted a seventh extension in six weeks. The used-car chain is still seeking financing and has warned it may not be able to continue operating. Workforce: A-State marked a construction milestone for its 26,000-square-foot CREST center, which will train workers for advanced manufacturing and steel jobs. Infrastructure: Arkansas awarded Brightspeed its first $2.6 million in federal broadband funding. The company’s 13 projects aim to connect more than 13,700 homes and businesses across 25 counties. Investment: Little Rock’s Riggs is building a $60 million engine-rebuild center expected to create 75 jobs and open in 2027. Manufacturing: A-State received $2.1 million for AI-driven steel research, while SANY Nutrition Group opened an 89,100-square-foot food manufacturing facility in Jonesboro. Energy and development: Grant County officials say a second data center and natural-gas power plant are in the works, though details remain limited under nondisclosure agreements.

AI and Steel Research: Arkansas State University received $2.1 million in federal funding for AI and steel research, including advanced computing and equipment for testing and modeling steel. Food Manufacturing: SANY Nutrition Group opened an 89,100-square-foot food manufacturing facility in Jonesboro, adding capacity to the region’s production base. Industrial Development: Forward Searcy Site 1 is certified and ready for business, with utilities in place across 44 acres to help attract industry. Freight and Logistics: J.B. Hunt reported $172.4 million in third-quarter profit as rising expenses squeezed results. Separately, a $23 million federal grant will support a truck-parking and safety facility on the future I-49 segment in Crawford County. Agriculture: Arkansas farmers face tight margins amid higher harvest costs and lower soybean yields; a temporary beef-import increase has also fallen short of its target, according to a University of Arkansas economist. Energy and Consumer Protection: Black Hills Energy rates are rising 8% for Arkansas customers. Attorney General Tim Griffin also sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT safety and privacy violations; the claims have not been proven in court.