West Memphis hopes Arkansas incentives attract new facility, thousands of jobs

WEST MEMPHIS -- Local leaders, business owners and residents in West Memphis say they are hopeful the city will land an advanced manufacturing super project that could bring thousands of jobs, even though the company hasn't been identified.

Their hope stems from an allocation in this year's state budget that would free $300 million for economic incentives and infrastructure work on a "super project" in West Memphis. State legislators describe it as an advanced manufacturing facility with 4,000 initial jobs and potentially 2,000 more to come. The state and its economic development arm have provided no details about the project.

Bob Atkins, West Memphis Utilities' general manager, said representatives of the company visited West Memphis but used only their first names to maintain anonymity. Asked where they were from, they said "Mars" and "Venus," Atkins said.

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