The Central Commerce Center achieved full occupancy as Communications & Ear Protection Inc. leased the industrial facility’s remaining space, rewarding the developer's bet to add an office component speculatively as part of the project.
The tenant, known as CEP USA, which makes gear for both military and civilian aviation clients as well as helmets for auto racers, combat drivers, motorcyclists and heavy equipment operators, signed for the remaining 90,720 square feet at the 207,760‑square‑foot facility in a new lease finalized last year.
Built in 2022, Central Commerce Center has established its foothold within the growing industrial and distribution hub off the Galloway exit along the Interstate 40 corridor. Reaching full occupancy helps build momentum for the hub, a contribution that earned the deal a CoStar Impact Award as judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
About the project: Central Commerce Center, at 9401 Diamond Drive in North Little Rock, is a multitenant industrial facility. CEP USA's lease comes out to $6.95 per square foot.
What the judges said: “This is a noteworthy industrial project in our market, and this lease brings it to 100% occupancy, which is a huge milestone,” said Jason Parker, brokerage director at Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners.
The lease “helped complete an industrial and distribution space with strong visibility along I‑40 and validated the developer’s decision to build more space than was initially needed for a single tenant,” said Henry Kelley Jr., CEO, partner and executive broker at Kelley Commercial Partners.
They made it happen: A team at Colliers | Arkansas that included President Isaac Smith, Bill Pendergist, vice president of brokerage, and Andrew Wiechern, brokerage associate, represented the landlord in the deal. Palmer Hays, industrial and land specialist at Focus CRE Group, represented the tenant.