West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon said he wants to help the city grow, while keeping its small town feel.
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — The small City of West Memphis, Arkansas, is getting a big economic boost. Leaders are moving full steam ahead with over a billion dollars in projects around the city.
The city’s first Starbucks is under construction. Plus, travel superstore Buc-ee’s is set to open in 2026. West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon said Buc-ee’s is expected to draw massive crowds of travelers.
“It is going to draw over 100,000 drivers off the interstate a week,” he said.
City officials are also working on bringing a $3-billion-dollar data center to West Memphis.
“Big data center. Big announcement [about that] coming very soon.”
Coca-Cola, which has been in the city for years, is investing millions of dollars into its facility as well.
“$25 million in Coca-Cola consolidation, as well as they just bought another 50 acres of land to expand.”
During the 2024 election, West Memphis voters approved a one-cent sales tax increase. This will direct funds toward a new police department, an aquatics center and improving the fire department.
“A lot of major infrastructure work that’s going to be starting this spring,” the mayor said.
These new projects and more are expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the city over the next few years.
Mayor McClendon says one of his main goals is to help the city grow while still keeping its small town feel.
“Ever since I was of adult age, I’ve been looking and saying this city could be better. But, you just had to have someone who has the vision.”
With that growth may come new opportunities for the 27% of West Memphis residents living in poverty.
“West memphis is truly on the rise. We are making things happen.”
Mayor McClendon also wants to attract new residents.
He said there are more than 100 new housing developments in the works right now.
He also added that the city’s Planning & Development department is working to clean up blight.