In a bold leap toward technological transformation, Little Rock, Arkansas, is now set to become home to one of the largest proposed developments in its history — a $1 billion data center sprawling over 300,000 square feet (27,870 sqm) at the city’s port. The city’s Board of Directors gave the green light to the project this week, triggering widespread interest in what could be a pivotal moment for Arkansas’ digital economy.

The company behind the scenes is Willowbend Capital LLC, which, while acting as the public face of the project, is reportedly representing an unnamed investor who will finance and construct the data center. Though shrouded in secrecy, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mayor Frank Scott Jr. was officially authorized, setting the legal framework for the development to proceed.

“There was a lot of work to get us to this point,” Mayor Scott said during the board meeting. “We can’t say much about it except for it’s a big deal.”

The numbers prove his point.

Aside from the billion-dollar investment, the facility is expected to create up to 50 new jobs, with the potential for future expansion if economic conditions are favorable. As part of the incentive package, the city has offered a 65% reduction in property taxes for a remarkable 30 years—a rare deal aimed at luring tech giants and large-scale operators.

While officials remain tight-lipped about the company’s identity, clues are beginning to emerge. According to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, there are notable similarities between this proposal and a previous data center development in Conway, just north of Little Rock. That project was fronted by Forgelight Ventures LLC, incorporated by Michael Montfort, who also appears as the incorporator for Willowbend Capital. This suggests that Montfort could be a key player orchestrating Arkansas’ entry into the high-stakes world of large-scale data infrastructure.

Until recently, Arkansas has remained a relatively small player in the U.S. data center market. Existing operations have largely been limited to colo provider TierPoint, and regional ISPs like Brightspeed, Cox, and Windstream. Little Rock has also seen activity from companies like TW Telecom, managed services provider Mainstream Technologies, and blockchain firm Sollensys.

However, a legislative shift earlier this month might explain the sudden surge in interest. The state significantly expanded tax incentives for data centers, slashing the required qualifying investment from $500 million to $100 million. That move could very well be the catalyst for Arkansas’ emerging status as a viable destination for tech infrastructure.

The bottom line?

Little Rock’s $1 billion data center isn’t just another construction project — it’s a symbol of a region striving to reinvent itself. By combining aggressive tax incentives, a strategic location, and quiet but capable developers, Arkansas is making a calculated bet on its future in the digital economy.

Whether this project becomes the spark for a broader tech ecosystem or a standalone venture remains to be seen. But for now, the message is clear: Little Rock wants in on the data boom — and it’s willing to play big.