Arkansas seeks strategic lithium analysis as market heats up

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission told the review subcommittee it will continue a strategic lithium supply‑chain analysis with two consultants who previously worked on the project.

Lisonbee Hatfield, chief of staff at Commerce, and Fred Lewis, AEDC’s director of strategic initiatives, said the contract is a continuation of work begun in 2024 by two consultants who left their prior firm and formed a new business. Lewis said the study will advise Arkansas on where to focus within the lithium value chain—upstream, midstream or on product components such as cathodes and anodes—and what incentives or actions the state might need to pursue to attract investment.

Lewis provided market context: "Price today, I think, was 23,000 a ton. A year ago, it was 10,000 a ton," and said AEDC expects continued momentum in Southwest Arkansas, pointing to recent commercial activity and a signed offtake arrangement that could help projects secure financing.

The committee discussed the contract’s special procurement justification and the staff form included in the packet. Committee members asked how the work differs from prior efforts; AEDC said this contract continues and narrows prior analysis to respond to recent market changes and help identify target opportunities for Arkansas.

What’s next: The subcommittee approved the out‑of‑state contracts en masse after discussion; AEDC’s lithium work will proceed under the special procurement justification in the packet.