Big Wins for Little Rock

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Welspun Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Vipul Mather announces the company’s first Little Rock Port expansion. (Photo courtesy of the Little Rock Regional Chamber)

New Welspun Tubular plant is one-of-a-kind in U.S.

Welspun Tubular LLC completed a $150 million expansion at its Little Rock facility, establishing a new LSAW line pipe mill and coating plant that will create 300 new jobs. This project made Welspun the only U.S. facility capable of producing line pipes from 6 to 56 inches, serving oil and gas, carbon capture, liquid natural gas (LNG) export and hydrogen pipeline sectors.

This announcement followed a $100 million expansion in 2024 and brought Welspun’s total investment in Little Rock to over $400 million since 2007, highlighting the company’s long-term commitment to advanced manufacturing and economic growth in Arkansas.

Morin and Little Rock Regional Chamber officials cut the ribbon on the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Little Rock. (Photo courtesy of the Little Rock Regional Chamber)

Morin opens plant running on all renewable energy

Morin, a leading architectural metal panel manufacturer and part of the Kingspan Group, in October opened a new $15 million facility in Little Rock, creating 25 new, skilled jobs. The plant, one of North America’s most advanced architectural metal panel facilities, features highly automated roll-forming technology and operates entirely on renewable energy, aiming for zero waste to landfill.

Strategically located in Central Arkansas, the facility reduces shipping times and carbon footprint while supporting local workforce development and stimulating demand for regional suppliers, reinforcing Little Rock’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation.

Officials from Amazon, the state of Arkansas and the Little Rock Regional Chamber break ground on the company’s new logistics facility at the Port of Little Rock. (Photo courtesy of the Little Rock Regional Chamber)

New Amazon logistics facility to create 1,000 new jobs

Amazon in July broke ground on a 930,000-plus SF logistics facility at the Port of Little Rock, with expectations of creating 1,000 full- and part-time jobs once the facility is fully operational. Expected to open by 2027, the planned facility will strengthen Little Rock’s position as a national logistics hub, improving delivery speeds and supporting regional economic growth.

Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than $2.6 billion in Arkansas, creating 4,000 direct jobs and an additional 6,500 indirect jobs. The new facility further boosts workforce opportunities. It will offer competitive pay and benefits and provide pathways for skill development through Amazon’s Career Choice program, reinforcing the company’s long-term economic impact in the Central Arkansas community.

Certified industrial megasite ready for high-tech projects

In March, the Little Rock Regional Chamber and Entergy Arkansas completed Select Site certification for a new 875-acre industrial megasite at the southeastern portion of the Port of Little Rock. This designation ensures the site is shovel-ready and meets rigorous criteria for high-tech, manufacturing and distribution projects.

With access to road, rail, river and runway, the megasite is positioned to attract major investments and high-paying jobs. Entergy’s certification includes marketing support, 360-degree imagery and listing on the Arkansas Site Selection Center, strengthening Little Rock’s appeal to national and global companies.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sens. Tom Cotton and John Boozman and Rep. French Hill celebrate The L’Oréal Groupe’s 50th anniversary in North Little Rock with company officials. (Photo courtesy of the Little Rock Regional Chamber)

L’Oréal celebrates 50 years in North Little Rock

International personal care company The L’Oréal Groupe in May 2025 celebrated its 50th anniversary at its flagship American production plant in North Little Rock.

Originally built in 1975, the plant was the original production site for the company’s Maybelline New York line of makeup products, now the No. 1 cosmetics brand globally. Today, the North Little Rock plant is the highest volume color cosmetics manufacturing facility in L’Oréal’s global network of 36 plants, employing nearly 450 full-time, skilled workers.

“Our golden anniversary in North Little Rock reflects our enduring legacy in Arkansas and continued investment in the U.S.,” said David Greenberg, CEO of L’Oréal USA and president of the North America zones. “L’Oréal has a unique way of putting down roots across our sites, embedding ourselves into the community and creating lasting, meaningful impact.”

According to a company press release, half of all mascaras sold in the U.S. are manufactured in the 800,000 SF North Little Rock plant. Since 2001, L’Oréal has invested over $230 million in North Little Rock.

“The North Little Rock plant exemplifies L’Oréal’s commitment to operational excellence and our pride in our industrial capabilities,” said Pankaj Gupta, chief operations officer for North America. “This facility not only serves the needs of American consumers but, also, plays a vital role in bringing iconic American brands to beauty lovers around the world.”