WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (WMC) – Another Buc-ee’s is coming to the Mid-South.
The popular Texas-based chain is bringing a location to West Memphis, Arkansas. This is just one of two major projects that will bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue to the city.
The pitch was presented before the West Memphis City Council in a meeting Tuesday afternoon.
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon says the Buc-ee’s will be located off I-40 near North 7th Street right next to the Cracker Barrel and two new hotels.
The location would be less than 10 miles from Downtown Memphis.
“West Memphis is the best Memphis,” he said after the project was approved.
Scoring a Buc-ee’s is just the latest economic home run for this city of 24,000.
“The addition of Buc-ees is going to be a game-changer for tourism in West Memphis,” said Jim Jackson, the city’s tourism director. “Buc-ee’s will not only serve as a major stop for travelers but also draw new visitors to our area, showcasing everything West Memphis has to offer.”
The mayor and city council officially celebrated their decision on Tuesday after over 18 months of negotiations.
“I mean, this is something we’ve been working on for a long time,” said Mayor McClendon. “It’s a good opportunity for the City of West Memphis and we’re honored to have it here. This is a huge win for our city!”
The development will bring its delicious beaver nuggets and brisket, 120 gas pumps and clean restrooms to the city, but the best part has to be the more than 200 good-paying jobs.
Memphian Dajon Quinn fills up frequently in West Memphis and knows how important this deal is for the city.
“I think it’s beautiful,” he told Action News 5. “People need jobs. They’re hiring. Hey, someone needs a job, they’ve got somewhere to go. It’s beautiful.”
The West Memphis City Council also gave the green light to a new $3 billion data-processing center to be built on the south side of the city near the Coca-Cola Company at the corner of Rainer and Bollinger Roads.
This project brings 50 high-tech jobs, and like Elon Musk’s supercomputer in Memphis, the West Memphis Data Center will use gray water-retreated wastewater-to cool the servers instead of fresh water.
Mayor McClendon and the city council are taking a well-deserved victory lap at this point.
West Memphis, said the mayor, has favor right now, and momentum.
“This is a great time to be in our city,” said Mayor McClendon. “It may be small-town living, but big-city advantages are just five minutes away from Downtown Memphis. I want people to move here, get a great job, and provide for their family. I keep saying, West Memphis is the best Memphis!”
The new West Memphis Buc-ee’s should be open by 2026.
The groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in December.
To view this story, or more news updates from KY3, click here.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI