Trex to build Little Rock Port factory, create 500 jobs; company to invest $400M in project

Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston addresses the audience during an announcement that Trex will be building a new production site in Little Rock on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Stephen Swofford)
Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston addresses the audience during an announcement that Trex will be building a new production site in Little Rock on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Stephen Swofford)

Trex Co., Inc. a maker of decking, railing, and outdoor items made from recycled materials, plans to build a factory in the Port of Little Rock, creating 500 jobs in the next five years.

Trex Chief Executive Officer Bryan Fairbanks said Tuesday that the company investment in the project will be $400 million.

The Winchester, Va.,-based business claims to be the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing.

Earlier Tuesday, the Little Rock Port Authority board approved the sale of 290 acres to Trex. The sale is pending the approval of the Little Rock Board of Directors, scheduled to consider the land deal at a meeting later this afternoon.

The deal took "well more than a year" to put together, according to Jay Chesshir, president and chief executive officer of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Most of the 290-acre parcel has belonged to the port but the last several acres were acquired Thursday and Friday, Port Director Bryan Day said.

8:42 a.m.: Little Rock Port Authority approves land sale for new manufacturer

The Little Rock Port Authority board approved at a special meeting Tuesday morning to convey 290 acres of property to an unnamed manufacturer that is expected to bring a significant level of employment and railcar activity to the port.

The move came ahead of an 11 a.m. economic development announcement by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and other officials at the port that its top executive, Bryan Day, called the "one of the largest announcements the port has had in many, many years."

Day and other officials said they were unable to provide more details ahead of the announcement.

The deal took "well more than a year" to put together, according to Jay Chesshir, president and chief executive officer of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Most of the 290-acre parcel has belonged to the port but the last several acres were acquired Thursday and Friday, Day said.

Check back for further information, and to watch video from the announcement.

[Video not showing up above? Click here to watch » https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaePmmXESgA]

This story has been updated. It was originally published at 8:42 a.m.

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