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Business & Industry

In close proximity to Little Rock and major transportation opportunities, Benton’s location provides an ideal business environment.

As part of Saline County, the city has many advantages. Services offered through the Arkansas Department of Economic Development and its Saline County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) in finance, marketing, training and productivity, and advocacy are some of the ways this department helps businesses reach their potential. The county is designated by the state as an Enterprise Zone, making sales and use taxes on equipment and material used in expansion and new construction refundable.

New or relocating industrial businesses have ample land and a variety of development sites on which to start or resume business. SCEDC has invested considerable time, effort and money in successfully achieving the certification of the I-530 “mega-site” in Saline County that will play a major role in recruiting large industrial developments to Arkansas. The mega-site (at least 1,500 acres) is located near Highway 167 and I-530 and is only 15 minutes from the Little Rock Port and the Little Rock National Airport.

The property has been certified through the Entergy Arkansas’s Select Site program, which means the SCEDC has met a rigorous set of requirements for documentation and prequalification of the site for development. Work already done includes cost estimates for grading and clearing; environmental studies; geotechnical reports; wetlands screening; and zoning, permitting and mapping requirements.

SCEDC can immediately respond to inquiries from potential candidates for the site. “This brings not only a unique economic development opportunity for Saline County and the Metro Little Rock Region, but all of Arkansas,” said Eddie Black, president of SCEDC. “Its strategic location offers limitless possibilities.”

“What Saline County has done is exactly what is required to be successful at attracting business to this region and our state,” said Hugh McDonald, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas, Inc.

Compared to neighboring Pulaski County, Saline’s tax base is a good deal lower. Benton’s affordable price tags on housing, goods and services, and energy also give current and potential business owners less to worry about when considering setting up shop.

Many established industries such as industrial ceramics, pollution control systems, steel fabrication, veneer, gravel, asphalt and others already enjoy all Benton has to offer—great location, available land and low costs.

Major retailers and hometown shops enjoy Benton’s prospering retail climate. Retail chains and franchises including the Home Depot, Sears, Wal-Mart, Hallmark, J.C. Penney and Office Depot have contributed to the city’s growth. While many establishments call Benton home, there is always room for more. Plenty of new and renovated office space is available for those in need.

Benton’s industries, major businesses and retailers are chief contributors to the local and county economies. Below is a table of the top 10 employers.

COMPANY — EMPLOYEES
Saline Memorial Hospital — 800
Arkansas Health Center — 480
Benton Schools — 500
Wal-Mart of Benton — 450
Rineco — 325
Coorstek — 275
Benton City Government — 238
Saline County Government — 230
Rivendell — 180
Union Bank of Benton — 100

Benton’s businesses are on the fast track to success, providing a dependable and inviting place for those who would like to join the ranks.