A standing-room-only crowd that overflowed into the lobby of the newly opened Little Rock River Port Authority headquarters Wednesday is representative of the growth and success the inland port has seen over the past decade and a half, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola said.
Along with the new $2.1 million headquarters, dubbed the Arkansas River Resource Center, the port also welcomed a new executive director this year -- Bryan Day, who was reminded countless times Wednesday that he has big shoes to fill in replacing Executive Director Paul Latture.
Latture had been at the helm of the port for 15 years until his retirement in June and guided it to the economic engine it is today.
"The $10 [million] or $15 million worth of infrastructure [at the port] has created about a half of a billion dollars in new economic development investment out here at the port and employs about 4,500 people. That's about the size of the city of Brinkley to put it into perspective," Latture said.
A lineup of speakers that included U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin praised Latture.
Jon Wickliffe, chairman of the Port Authority board of directors, unveiled a glass plaque in Latture's honor while announcing that the conference room in the new headquarters building would be named after the former director for his dedication and leadership.
Construction of the new building was partly funded by a $960,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. Little Rock has also promised the port $10 million of proceeds from a 2011 voter-approved sales tax for land acquisition and expansion at the port.
"This building is a pretty small investment as it relates to the larger investment we are making in the community," Stodola said. "We have many businesses out here that employ thousands of people. It's very important to the stability of our community."
The 4,926-square-foot building at 10600 Industrial Drive opened Tuesday to Day and the other three full-time staff members that will work there.
"Paul has told me on more than one occasion to not mess it up, so Paul, I promise to not mess it up," Day said. "The state of the Little Rock Port is strong and you as a community should be very proud. The future is bright."
Metro on 08/21/2014