Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas breaks ground on new distribution facility

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas announced Thursday (Nov. 6) it held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new warehouse and distribution center on its Little Rock campus earlier in the week.

The 84,700 square foot facility will serve as a regional distribution center for AECI Utility Solutions.

“Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. has provided services to the local electric cooperatives in Arkansas since 1942” said Vernon “Buddy” Hasten, president/CEO of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation. “The new AECI Utility Solutions warehouse on our Little Rock campus will enable the organization to expand and increase the efficiency of delivery products to utilities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Oklahoma.”

AECI Utility Solutions – the utility sales and services division under the Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc. – sells infrastructure material and equipment to its five-state footprint and provides quality safety equipment testing, construction and right-of-way services across the United States.

“The Little Rock warehouse represents a key investment in the strength and resilience of our supply chain. This facility enhances our ability to improve service by delivering critical materials quickly and reliably and reinforces our long-term commitment to supporting electric cooperatives and public power providers across the region,” said AECI Chief Commercial Officer Jason Allen.

The warehouse will store and distribute essential electric utility infrastructure materials and components including pole-line hardware, transformers, conductors and safety equipment.

This facility will also house AECI’s High Voltage Test Lab. The scheduled opening date for the distribution center is Oct. 20, 2026.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives.