Entergy Arkansas announced it will host a vendor fair later this month for companies interested in contract opportunities tied to two major energy projects in Jefferson County.
The event will connect local and small businesses with project leaders involved in the Jefferson Power Station and the Arkansas Cypress Solar and Battery projects. Officials say the developments are expected to create up to 1,600 jobs at peak construction and provide a boost to the local economy through wages, contracting and increased business activity.
The vendor fair is scheduled for March 25 from 9 to noon at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Registration is encouraged but not required.
According to Entergy, the event supports its “Arkansans building Arkansas” initiative, which prioritizes the use of local contractors and suppliers whenever possible. Businesses attending will have the opportunity to learn more about the projects and explore ways to provide services, construction support or materials.
The Jefferson Power Station is a planned 754-megawatt natural gas-fired combined cycle plant to be built at the existing White Bluff site. The facility is expected to be about 40% more energy efficient than older technology and is designed to power more than 355,000 homes when it begins operations in 2029.
The Arkansas Cypress Solar and Battery project will include a 600-megawatt solar facility paired with battery storage capable of holding up to 350 megawatts of power. The project is scheduled to begin operations in 2028 and is expected to provide emissions-free energy while helping meet demand during peak usage.
Officials say the two projects together will help meet Arkansas’s growing energy needs while maintaining rates below the national average and supporting continued economic growth across the state.
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