Little Rock Port Unveils New $2.1 Million HQ Complex

The Little Rock Port Authority (LRPA) hosted a grand opening for its new $2.1 million headquarters, the Arkansas River Resource Center.

The complex will become “Little Rock’s newest economic development marketing asset,” port officials said.

The Little Rock Port Authority oversees a 2,600-acre industrial park, short-line railroad with more than 17 miles of track, a Foreign Trade Zone, a 190-foot dock and a 4,500-foot industrial harbor.

New executive director Bryan Day recently took the reins from long-time port chief Paul Latture. Both men were featured in a recent profile in Talk Business & Politics.

“The LRPA has been a major economic driver for the City of Little Rock and the state of Arkansas,” said Day. “We create high-paying jobs in central Arkansas by recruiting industries that need intermodal transportation and other amenities only available at the port.”

At today’s press conference, Day outlined the role the Arkansas River Resource Center will have in enabling the staff and board to meet the agency’s mission.

“Our responsibility is to manage the assets of the port and to create high-paying employment for the City of Little Rock and central Arkansas. We can accomplish this by using the resources of the port industrial park, river terminal, port railroad, foreign trade zone and slackwater harbor,” said Day. “The Resource Center will help us be better equipped to recruit new companies to our region. Our staff will now be able to meet with prospective companies and showcase the port’s amenities without leaving the area.”

Construction of the center was partially funded by a $960,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Pedro Garza, regional director for the agency, was in attendance to explain the economic growth potential the facility will offer.

“As a federal agency, our investment policy is driven by two key economic drivers – innovation and regional collaboration,” said Garza. “The Little Rock Port provides a competitive business recruitment advantage to prospective tenants due to its access to waterway, rail and highway transportation, as well as warehouse space and a foreign trade zone.”

The Arkansas River Resource Center is a 4,926 sq. ft. building and has submitted the documentation needed to achieve LEED Certification.