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West Memphis says mega‑site interest is rising; officials emphasize utilities and "speed to power" to land jobs
Summary
City leaders reported multiple companies are evaluating a 1,300‑acre mega site and that utilities, power capacity and a proposed microgrid will be key to attracting data centers and manufacturers; staff said developers usually pay for water/sewer extensions, while the city explores private financing for power.
City officials told the West Memphis City Council that multiple firms are actively evaluating the city’s remaining certified mega site — roughly 1,300 acres near Highway 147 and I‑40 — and that securing utility service and reliable power will be critical to converting interest into jobs.
Ward Wimbush said the site has been shortlisted by four companies and that teams, including representatives tied to Google, have conducted repeated site visits. “We’re down to one mega site,” he said, adding that site visits and soil testing are under way.
On utilities, Bob Atkins explained the typical financing model for large projects: when there is no existing service at a development, the project developer normally pays to extend water and sewer service to the site. “It’s incumbent on the project to bear the financial responsibility of extending that service to the site,” Bob Atkins said. He told the council the city has capacity on the water and wastewater side but that power capacity — and speed to power — is a limiting factor for firms like data centers.
To address that, Atkins and other staff described a microgrid and "speed to power" initiative submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy and said two independent power producers and two private‑equity firms have discussed financing options. Staff said private partners have approached the city to invest in a grid concept that would serve multiple large facilities.
Steve Jones, who handles government relations, said the city has pursued state and federal funding and reported a $1 million appropriation included this year to support port and infrastructure work. Jones said the city also put multiple requests before the Army Corps’ environmental infrastructure program to support water and sewer projects.
Councilors discussed annexation, utility extensions, and whether the city should use public funds to pre‑extend services to increase competitiveness. Staff repeatedly said developers typically pay to extend mains but noted the city can offer other incentives and that improved service would raise property values for land owners near the corridor.
Next steps identified by staff include continued negotiations with firms evaluating the mega site, detailed utility planning, and follow‑up with state and federal partners on funding and permitting.
