Talk Business & Politics: The Transformation of the Arkansas Aeroplex
Original story from Talk Business & Politics: https://indd.adobe.com/view/b2d3baf6-a488-41a8-b003-5f92d2bc2227
As the home of the Arkansas Aeroplex, Mississippi County possesses one of the state’s greatest potential economic development assets, something I’ve long believed as president of the Blythevile-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority. With that in mind, it was a great source of pride that the Aeroplex recently hosted the Arkansas Aerospace & Defense Alliance for its first-ever meeting outside of Central or Northwest Arkansas.
Alliance members from across the state traveled to Mississippi County to hear key aerospace and economic updates, as well as economic development and workforce updates from county leaders. This significant milestone highlighted the Aeroplex's potential as a focal point for the aerospace industry and helped educate the rest of the state on what we’ve already built here.
Why is this important? Let’s step back in time for a moment.
The Arkansas Aeroplex has a rich history that dates back to its origins as the Blytheville Air Force Base. From 1954 to 1992, the facility was a key U.S. asset during World War II and the Cold War, and it’s easy to understand why.
Located on 3,500 acres in Mississippi County and just five miles from the Mississippi River off Interstate 55, the Arkansas Aeroplex is home to 40 commercial businesses. Half the country sits less than a day’s drive from the Aeroplex and BNSF rail provides another distribution option to supplement our plentiful water and interstate options.
Additionally, the Aeroplex features an 11,600-foot-long, 300-foot-wide runway from its Air Force days, an amenity that can be quite valuable if you have goods to transport in a large aircraft. Constructing a similar airfield today would cost upwards of $2 billion.
You can see why we have garnered interest from e-commerce, distribution companies and firms specializing in helicopter maintenance. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Textron Aviation utilize the base for testing and training, highlighting its strategic importance in what is already one of the state’s top industries.
Aerospace and defense products are the state’s No. 1 exports, worth nearly $1.5 billion annually. Over 10,000 Arkansans work in aerospace and defense jobs at approximately 200 companies statewide. And the Arkansas Aeroplex is the next piece of the puzzle - we believe it is poised to become a significant economic driver for the region. With our ongoing efforts to recruit companies in the aerospace industry, we are not only looking to boost the local economy but also to position the Aeroplex as a hub of innovation and growth, similar to what we’ve done with steel.
Mississippi County, the top steel-producing county in America, is flying high when it comes to economic development these days. You’ve undoubtedly seen the headlines that Big River Steel is opening a $3 billion plant in Q4 of this year, and Hybar is investing more than $750 million to build one of the world's greenest and most efficient steel rebar-producing operations.
Those same companies are among 11 industry partners investing in “Work Here. Live Here,” a unique housing initiative that has helped our county generate $23 million in new home construction during its first 20 months of operation. Qualified buyers can earn up to $50,000 toward purchasing a new home in Mississippi County.
We have the acreage available at the Aeroplex to help meet increased housing demand, and one of our primary goals has been the clean-up and revitalization of the former Air Force base. We can now accelerate these efforts thanks to a recent allocation of $2 million in federal funds. This funding will facilitate the removal of dilapidated duplexes on the North End, paving the way for new residential construction, which can create future homes for the employees of businesses making the Aeroplex their home.
Remember the rich history I mentioned? The Aeroplex is designated as the site of the National Cold War Center (NCWC), scheduled to open in 2027. Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson is among the NCWC’s board members, and the effort continues to attract quality board members and supporters.
As we continue to attract more companies and invest in infrastructure improvements, the Arkansas Aeroplex stands ready to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and creating new opportunities for the community. Our vision for the Aeroplex is ambitious, but with continued support and investment, it is entirely achievable.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done since 2012, when I assumed my current role with the Aeroplex and the recent meeting of the Arkansas Aerospace & Defense Alliance is just one example of the strides we are making toward realizing an even greater vision.
Barrett Harrison is the president of the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority, home to The Arkansas Aeroplex. The former home of Eaker Air Force Base, the Aeroplex sits on 3,500 acres and currently houses 40 commercial businesses. Harrison is also vice chairman of the board of the National Cold War Center, set to open at the Aeroplex in 2027.
