Little Rock, Arkansas – A groundbreaking technology project is coming to Pulaski County as AVAIO Digital Partners announces plans to build a major data center hub near Little Rock. Named AVAIO Digital Leo, the facility represents a multi-phase investment of $6 billion for the first stage, with the full development expected to exceed $21 billion. The project promises to bring significant economic growth and position Arkansas as a rising technology hub in the United States.
The new data center is being constructed in partnership with Entergy Arkansas, which has contracted 150 MW of power for the initial phase. However, AVAIO anticipates future power needs could rise to 1 GW as the facility expands. This scale of energy consumption underscores the massive technological and infrastructure demands that come with a project of this size, as well as its potential to attract additional tech investment to the region.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised the initiative, highlighting its impact on the state’s economy. “AVAIO Digital’s $6 billion data center hub represents the largest economic investment in Arkansas’ history and sets the Natural State up to become a technology powerhouse that can compete with any state in the nation,” she said. The governor emphasized that the project not only boosts the state’s technological capacity but also strengthens its workforce and economic foundation.
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The AVAIO Digital Leo hub is expected to generate over 500 full-time jobs within the first five years, alongside a variety of positions during the construction phase. This influx of employment opportunities is projected to benefit the local economy substantially, from contractors and engineers to support and administrative staff. The creation of new jobs, coupled with the state-of-the-art technological infrastructure, positions Little Rock as a key player in the national data center and tech industry.
Construction on the first phase of AVAIO Digital Leo is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with completion targeted for June 2027. Mark McComiskey, CEO of AVAIO Digital, highlighted the importance of collaboration and community support in bringing the project to life. “With a first-phase investment of $6 billion and over $21 billion through full development, infrastructure of this scale requires support from communities and partners, and we thank Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald, and Entergy Arkansas for helping make this possible. We look forward to continuing to work with these partners and the local communities as we break ground in early 2026,” McComiskey said.
The data center hub is expected to serve as a regional technology anchor, attracting other technology-focused businesses and further enhancing Arkansas’ economic profile. Analysts note that large-scale investments like AVAIO Digital Leo have the potential to draw national and global attention to the state, demonstrating that Arkansas is capable of supporting high-tech infrastructure on a massive scale.
As the project moves forward, residents and local officials alike are preparing for the long-term economic and technological benefits that AVAIO Digital Leo will bring. From workforce development to increased local business opportunities, the data center promises to reshape the economic landscape of Little Rock and Pulaski County for decades to come.
With construction on the horizon, Arkansas is poised to make a significant leap in its technological and economic capabilities, marking a new chapter in the state’s growth story. The AVAIO Digital Leo hub reflects a bold vision for Arkansas’ future, combining cutting-edge infrastructure, job creation, and community collaboration to establish the Natural State as a formidable player in the tech industry.
