Little Rock Port board approves nearly $1M contract with ties to board chair

McGeorge Contracting Co., Inc. awarded contract despite family and financial ties to board director Clay McGeorge

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Little Rock Port Authority Board unanimously awarded a $997,564 contract to McGeorge Contracting Co., Inc., a company with family and financial ties to board director Clay McGeorge, to build a drainage ditch at the Port's industrial megasite. The board also approved a $777,000 contract with Pickering Firm, Inc. to design a new rail extension and yard project.

Why it matters

The sole-source agreement that forgoes a formal bidding process has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and transparency in the Port Authority's contracting decisions, especially given the large sums of public money involved.

The details

McGeorge Contracting is owned by the McGeorge and Dickinson families, and Clay McGeorge is a company shareholder, though not involved in operations. The Port Authority Executive Director said the sole-source agreement was necessary to meet a deadline for spending a $2 million site development grant. Pickering Firm, Inc. was selected for the rail project design contract after submitting the highest-scoring bid among 26 firms.

  • On February 18, 2026, the Little Rock Port Authority Board unanimously approved the contracts.
  • The $2 million site development grant that the drainage ditch project is funded by expires on June 30, 2026.

The players

Clay McGeorge

A director on the Little Rock Port Authority Board who has family and financial ties to the contracting company awarded the $997,564 drainage ditch project.

Brian McGeorge

A vice president of McGeorge Contracting Co., Inc., the company awarded the $997,564 drainage ditch project.

McGeorge Contracting Co., Inc.

A White Hall-based contracting company owned by the McGeorge and Dickinson families that was awarded a $997,564 contract to build a drainage ditch at the Little Rock Port's industrial megasite.

Pickering Firm, Inc.

An engineering company based in Little Rock that was awarded a $777,000 contract to design a new rail extension and yard project at the Little Rock Port's industrial park.

Bryan Day

The Executive Director of the Little Rock Port Authority.

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What they’re saying

“We don't like to do that often, but these circumstances warranted that.”

— Bryan Day, Executive Director, Little Rock Port Authority (arkansasonline.com)

What’s next

The Little Rock Port Authority Board will need to address concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest in its contracting decisions, especially as it seeks a $35 million Department of Transportation grant for the new rail yard project.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of robust oversight and competitive bidding processes for public infrastructure projects, even when facing tight deadlines, in order to ensure the responsible use of taxpayer funds and maintain public trust in government institutions.