SEARCY, Ark. – Forward Searcy and Entergy Arkansas today announced that Forward Searcy Site 1 has earned Entergy Arkansas’ Select Site certification, recognizing the 44.46-acre property as a development-ready industrial site that has completed rigorous due diligence and meets established site-readiness standards.
Representatives from Forward Searcy, Entergy Arkansas, the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and local elected officials gathered to celebrate the designation, which positions the site to compete for new industrial, manufacturing, distribution and other large-scale economic development projects.
“Over the past several years, we’ve worked diligently to transform what was once a sports complex into a viable industrial site,” said Darrell Welch, CEO of Forward Searcy. “From clearing the property to completing the necessary due diligence with the help of a site development grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, this certification represents an important next step in positioning Searcy among the top industrial sites in Arkansas.”
Select Site is an Entergy Arkansas initiative designed to help communities gain a competitive edge by preparing and promoting industrial properties that are ready for development. The program includes a comprehensive review of utilities, environmental conditions, infrastructure and other critical factors that site location consultants and prospective businesses consider when evaluating potential locations.
Entergy Arkansas’ Vice President of Business and Economic Development Danny Games recognized Forward Searcy Site 1 as the newest Select Site and commended local leaders for completing the extensive documentation and review process.
Entergy Arkansas provided a grant to help offset some of the site’s due diligence costs and produced a custom site video and 360-degree imagery. Forward Searcy Site 1 also will be featured on the Arkansas Site Selection Center.
“Certifying a site is neither quick nor easy,” Games said. “Achieving this milestone ensures Searcy has accurate, timely information readily available to meet the expectations of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, site location consultants and prospective companies. We’re proud to recognize Searcy’s accomplishment and look forward to promoting this site as our newest Select Site.”
The Select Site initiative helps communities prepare industrial properties to compete for high-tech, manufacturing, distribution and other large-scale economic development projects. With accelerated project timelines becoming increasingly common, having a certified site with completed due diligence can be critical to attracting new investment.
Other Entergy Arkansas Select Sites are located in Clark County, Little Rock, Morrilton, Newport, Russellville, Stuttgart, West Memphis and Wynne. Recently announced projects located nearby on former Select Sites include Owens Corning in Russellville and the Tractor Supply Co. distribution center in Maumelle.
To learn more about Entergy Arkansas Select Sites, including the Forward Searcy Site 1, visit www.ArkansasSiteSelection.com.
About Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 738,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy generates, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for more than 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re focused on keeping costs for our customers as low as possible while providing reliable energy that our communities count on. We’re also investing in growth for the future with a more resilient, cleaner energy system that includes modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy generation. As a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at EntergyArkansas.com and connect with @EntergyARK on social media.
