Helena-West Helena Airport Commission Accepting Lease Bids for 394 Acres

The Helena-West Helena Airport Commission has opened a formal call for written bids to lease approximately 394 acres of farmland located on airport property, a move that could affect local row-crop planting and airport revenues in Phillips County. The lease covers a three-year term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028 and includes four existing wells that provide irrigation capacity.

Bidders must submit their proposals in writing and include the annual rental amount, a statement of farm experience, two references, the proposed crop, and any other relevant information the commission should consider. Written bids should be mailed to PO Box 2948, West Helena, AR 72390 and must be received by 12:00 noon on February 17, 2026. The Helena-West Helena Airport Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids, and any lease awarded will be subject to the commission’s terms and restrictions.

This leasing opportunity is significant for Phillips County farmers and land managers because of the acreage scale and the presence of four wells. Short-term, three-year leases shape operational decisions such as crop selection, irrigation planning, and investments in soil conservation or input costs. The commission’s requirements for documented farm experience and references signal an emphasis on stewardship and the practical capability to manage airport farmland safely and productively.

For the airport, leasing 394 acres represents a potential revenue stream that can support maintenance, operations, or other municipal priorities without selling public land. The commission’s explicit reservation of rights to reject bids reflects standard public-sector procurement safeguards; it also underscores the need for transparency in evaluating bidders on financial and operational criteria. Local civic oversight can expect the commission to balance revenue goals with land stewardship and airport safety considerations.

Prospective bidders should prepare clear documentation of past farming operations, outline a realistic planting plan tied to the irrigation capacity of the wells, and propose an annual rental figure that reflects market conditions for Phillips County acreage. Because the deadline falls in mid-February, farmers planning the 2026 season should factor bid timing into their crop and equipment decisions.

The commission will review submissions after the February 17 deadline. The winning lease, if awarded, will govern use of the airport’s farmland through the end of 2028 and shape both local crop patterns and the airport’s fiscal picture in the near term.