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In the District Spotlight

Helena/West Helena Phillips County Port Authority

The Mississippi River is Phillips County’s heritage and strength.  Located on the Mississippi River 65 miles southwest of Memphis, the nation’s acknowledged premier distribution center, Phillips County is the logical choice for companies who want to move material or products quickly, efficiently, and at a reasonable cost.  Designed to remain state-of-the-art well into the 21^st century, Phillips County’s new Slackwater Harbor is one of the largest ever constructed on the inland waterways and can easily handle any type or amount of barge traffic. In fact, the Port of Helena is currently ranked  the third largest tonnage port on the Mississippi.

More than two miles long, 300 feet wide and nine feet deep, this ideal inland harbor is surrounded by thousand of acres of prime industrial land. Phillips County’s centralized mid-south location is convenient to all 48 contiguous states and is one of only six bridge points on the Mississippi between Memphis and New Orleans.  The bridge connects Helena to four-lane U.S. 61 which is just 10 minutes away, and U.S. 61 connects with Interstates 55 and 40 at Memphis, just 44 miles to the north.  Shipping or receiving by rail and air are equally easy.  Rail service to Phillips County is provided by both the Union Pacific Railroad and the Arkansas Midland System.  Helena’s Thompson-Robbins Field features a lighted, 5,000 foot runway where both charter service and jet fuel are available.  Memphis International Airport, which is one of the nation’s busiest airports and home to Federal Express, is only minutes away.