The aerospace and defense industries need more than room to grow. They need the right infrastructure, a skilled workforce and reliable connections to move people, equipment and products efficiently.
The Mid-South offers all three.
Following this year’s Mid-America Aerospace + Defense Summit, industry leaders are continuing conversations about what it takes to support the next generation of aerospace and defense investment. Mississippi County is well-positioned to be part of that growth, with the Arkansas Aeroplex offering a unique combination of aviation infrastructure, transportation access and room for companies to expand.
A Strategic Location for Industry
Located in the heart of the Mid-South, Mississippi County provides companies access to a well-established transportation network.
The Arkansas Aeroplex connects businesses to highway and rail infrastructure, while Mississippi County’s proximity to the Mississippi River provides another important link for moving goods. That multimodal connectivity complements the Aeroplex’s aviation capabilities and gives companies options as their operations and supply chains grow.
For aerospace, defense, manufacturing and logistics businesses, that connectivity can make Mississippi County an attractive location for serving markets across the country.
Infrastructure Built for Big Missions
Long before it became the Arkansas Aeroplex, the site was Blytheville Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation built to support large aircraft and demanding military operations.
That legacy left behind infrastructure that continues to distinguish the Aeroplex today.
At the center of the property is an 11,600-foot runway, one of the longest publicly available runways in the region. The Aeroplex also offers extensive ramp space, hangars, industrial facilities and specialized aviation infrastructure that can support a variety of operations.
The result is a site where aviation and aerospace companies can find both the physical space and operational flexibility they need to grow.
An Aerospace Ecosystem Taking Shape
The Aeroplex is already home to aviation businesses with specialized capabilities.
Aviation Repair Technologies operates an FAA- and EASA-approved facility at the Aeroplex, providing aircraft storage, maintenance and component services. Western Global Airlines also relocated its base maintenance operations to the Aeroplex, bringing 60 to 75 skilled jobs to Mississippi County. Additionally, the return of the Civil Air Patrol’s 120th Composite Squadron to the Arkansas Aeroplex adds another connection to aerospace education, emergency services and leadership development for young people in the region.
Those operations contribute to a growing concentration of aviation expertise in the region. As more companies locate at the Aeroplex, they can benefit from an ecosystem of skilled workers, existing aviation businesses and infrastructure already designed for the industry.
From a Cold War Legacy to New Opportunity
Few places connect the past and future of aerospace as clearly as the Arkansas Aeroplex.
For decades, the former Blytheville Air Force Base played an important role in America’s national defense. Today, the same site is being repurposed to support commercial aviation, aerospace, logistics and industrial growth.
The future National Cold War Center will preserve and share that history while the businesses operating around it write the property’s next chapter.
As conversations from the Mid-America Aerospace + Defense Summit continue, the Mid-South has an opportunity to demonstrate that it has more than a proud aerospace legacy. It has the assets to compete for what comes next.
For companies looking for infrastructure, connectivity and room to grow, the Arkansas Aeroplex is ready for takeoff.
Learn more about opportunities at the Arkansas Aeroplex at arkansasaeroplex.com.
