Judge Alan Nelson on Infrastructure, Innovation & the Rise of Mississippi County

This story originally appeared in Arkansas Business. Read it here.

John Alan Nelson has served as Mississippi County judge since 2018. He’s a licensed pilot and lifelong advocate for regional development, and has led major initiatives like the Work Here, Live Here housing program, the designation of the National Cold War Center at the former Eaker Air Force Base, and the branding of Mississippi County as the Land of Steel.

Mississippi County has a program that provides up to $50,000 for manufacturing workers to buy or build homes in the county. How is that going?

It’s going better than we could’ve ever imagined. At the beginning of June, the Work Here, Live Here program had helped 159 steel and manufacturing employees from eight states purchase homes, and the number keeps growing. Around 60% of those are first-time homebuyers with an average age of just 29. Since the program started in 2023, we’ve seen more than $41 million in new home value generated across the county. The program provides employees who live and work here for at least four years up to $50,000 toward a new home or $25,000 for an existing one, and our participating industries fully fund it. Sixteen companies are now part of the program, including major players like Big River Steel, which has contributed $3.5 million; Lexicon Inc., which has been an employer in the county for nearly 40 years; and Hybar, which recently joined with a $500,000 investment. Altogether, employers have committed $6.5 million so far.

What are the biggest challenges facing Mississippi County?

Infrastructure, housing and workforce development have to scale with our economy. We’re growing the nation’s steel production, but that means we must be equally aggressive in growing our talent pipeline and providing housing. For years, we’ve had plenty of jobs, but we need folks to work and live here. And with the Work Here, Live Here program, we are making progress.

What’s your long-term economic development strategy to diversify and avoid overdependence on a single industry?

We’ve already started that process. Steel is one of our largest industries, alongside agriculture, but we’re also seeing momentum in aerospace, logistics and tourism. The Arkansas Aeroplex is attracting diverse tenants, from aircraft maintenance to freight, and it will be home to the National Cold War Center, which will be a tourist destination by 2027. We also invest heavily in workforce education through Arkansas Northeastern College and its numerous industry training programs. ANC has the highest salaries upon graduation for graduates from any college or university in Arkansas. Our goal is to be a center of innovation where young professionals can launch careers for life.

What advice would you give to other county executives trying to attract and support major industrial investment?

Be willing to adapt. Our county went from being a cotton capital to the steel capital of the South. The same mindset that landed our first mill isn’t the one that will land our next. Also, never underestimate the power of connection. We’ve learned that when people feel they belong somewhere, they stay. That’s why we launched Work Here, Live Here and why we’ll keep investing in the people who make this county great.

What effect will increased steel tariffs have on the steel industry in the county?

There’s no doubt tariff changes bring a level of uncertainty, and I know our steel industry leaders are watching closely. At the end of the day, I’m focused on ensuring Mississippi County remains the largest steel-producing county in America and an even better place to raise a family while doing it. I know one fact for sure: Our steel companies are resilient, and we’ll support them however we can.