A Conversation on How Arkansas Wins Big Projects • Hugh McDonald, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce

Hugh McDonald, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce, joins ShovelTalk to unpack how a “small but mighty” state has become home to global giants like Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt—and now a $4 billion Google data center. In this conversation with Golden Shovel’s Bethany Quinn, McDonald shares the strategy behind Arkansas’ recent wins and what other states and regions can learn from their approach.

You’ll hear how Arkansas’ IMPACT legislation modernized incentives, strengthened data center and lithium policies, and reformed utility regulations in ways that helped land Google’s latest project while protecting local ratepayers. McDonald also dives into the state’s evolving energy strategy, the critical role of utilities and economic developers, and why a diversified mix of power sources—and strong community engagement—matters more than ever in the age of AI.

On a personal note, McDonald reflected on his own move from CEO of Entergy to public service, encouraging other retiring executives to consider how they too might contribute to their communities.