Beebe Pitches For New Caterpillar Factory On CNBC

CNBC highlighted Caterpillar’s North Little Rock motor grader operations this morning, including an interview with Gov. Mike Beebe (D).

The coverage focused on Caterpillar’s investment in Arkansas and the state’s effort to land a new multi-million hydraulic excavator factory.

The new plant, which is moving from Japan to the U.S., would employ 1,400 workers. CNBC reports that 24 states, including Arkansas, are in the running.  A decision is expected by April 1.

Beebe made the pitch for Arkansas to be the location of the new plant.

“Arkansas is open for business, especially manufacturing,” Beebe said. He touted the state’s central U.S. location, transportation and distribution infrastructure, and economic incentives.

However, Beebe said “quality of workforce” could be the biggest factor to influence Caterpillar’s decision. He hoped the 600 employees working in North Little Rock would be testimony for that advantage.

When pressed about economic incentives, Beebe said Arkansas would be competitive with other states, but he wouldn’t give everything away to win the project.

“We do an analysis that tries to make sure our taxpayers are getting a bang for their buck,” he said. “Based on that, we’ll be competitive.”

Caterpillar’s Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman was in Little Rock last October to speak to a regional chamber meeting. Oberhelman said Arkansas was “on our radar screen,” but he didn’t offer additional details regarding the site location.

Here is a video of the CNBC video feature and Beebe’s comments on the Caterpillar plant.