Saline County landowner giant Alcoa (AA) is shifting focus for 10 of its unused facilities. Instead of milling through aluminum bauxite, these facilities will now process one of the world's most precious commodities: Data.

Although there are no official announcements for a facility change here in Arkansas, Alcoa did specifically proclaim "several southern states" (1) in their original announcement for future sites. Given our history, one would have to imagine Arkansas is on that list.

With "Project Leo"—AVAIO Digital’s construction of a data center on 145th St. (Pulaski/Saline county line)—recently making the largest investment in Arkansas history at $6 Billion (scaling to $21 Billion), Saline County has become a top-tier candidate for Alcoa to follow suit.

Unlike "Project Leo," which is nestled near residential zoning, the heart of Alcoa in Saline County is already shielded by miles of woods and pre-existing mining buffer zones. This makes it far less likely to be a victim of (Not In My Backyard) lawsuits that often stall these mega-projects.

Modern data centers are often hunting for 1 gigawatt of power (2). Our local industrial sites are some of the only existing places in the state to handle that power load. They were designed for high-intensity refining 24/7, meaning that electrical footprint is already in place. Furthermore, data centers require millions of gallons for cooling; Alcoa already manages a massive water treatment infrastructure in Bauxite, discharging an average of 2.5 billion gallons annually. (3)

Alcoa still controls a staggering 25 square miles (over 15,000 acres) (4) in Saline County. Most of this is reclaimed quarry land that is flat, stable, and ready for large-scale concrete pads.

These large-scale investments generate massive property tax revenue. Because server hardware is taxed as personal property and depreciates fast, these units are typically replaced every 3–5 years (5), creating a recurring tax cycle. This means more money potentially available for Bauxite schools and roads without adding the "traffic and noise" typical of classic manufacturing.

However, the job market is shifting. While Alcoa once employed thousands of blue-collar locals, a large data center may only require 50–100 specialized technicians. (6)

Alcoa (AA) is a mainstay on AtT's featured stock ticker. It was yesterday’s (3/25/2026) “Top Watched Performer” ending the day at +3.44% ($58.63). Shareholders seem confident in Alcoa's "Transformation Asset" vision. Against the Tread will bring you any updates as we continue to watch out for your backyard.

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