Targeted Industries

As global business becomes more focused on the fast-paced energy and bioscience fields, West Memphis is perfectly suited to provide the time-sensitive access, easy distribution and logistical resources needed.

Below are some of the growth industries that West Memphis is currently targeting as prospective partners.

Warehouse Distribution and Logistics

  • Easy multi-modal access – only location on the main channel of Mississippi with two interstate bridges and two railroad bridges
  • Access to 5 Class I railroads and access to west coast and east coast ports
  • City owned deep water river port
  • 4 distribution parks with full utilities
  • Availability of workforce – more logistics workers per capita than other markets
  • City administered Foreign Trade Zone >>


Time-sensitive Manufacturing (Bioscience, Custom Technology)

  • Within 20 minutes of FedEx World Headquarters, accepts packages for overnight deliveries as late as 11:00 pm which adds at least a half day to production time.
  • Existing workforce >>
  • Over $350 million invested in biomechanical research a year in area, just minutes from state of the art Bioworks research laboratory
  • Lowest operating costs in the Memphis metropolitan statistical area

Biofuel Production

  • Availability of utilities – high pressure natural gas, up to a million gallons of water a day, low cost electricity
  • Sites with multi-modal access:
  • Market – West Memphis is the number one point of diesel sales in the nation
  • Availability of raw material – over one million tons of rice and wheat straw available within an hour’s drive ( or wood chips, chicken by-products, etc.)
  • Biofuel research facility on Mid South Community College West Memphis campus
  • Specific biofuel state incentives

Wind Power Industry

  • Located between major Texas, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan markets as well as developing offshore markets in Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes
  • Existing steel and material manufacturers in-state
  • Inbound/outbound shipping options include city-owned deep water port, city-owned rail spur and mainline access, and direct access to I-40 and I-55
  • Skilled workforce
  • Specific wind power state incentives