A GREAT PLACE TO LAND

Aerospace and defense represents Arkansas’ #1 export, and we are home to nearly 180 well-known aerospace and defense companies that include MRO, component parts, completion centers, and defense contractors as well as the Little Rock Air Force Base. The state is also one of the nation’s fastest growing defense corridors, with companies like Aerojet Rocketdyne, Esterline, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

Download Executive Overview

Envoy Air

Envoy Air Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group, announced that it will establish a new Aircraft Maintenance facility at the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock, Ark., investing more than $2 million and bringing 60 new jobs to the area over the next five years.

Watch More

Case Study

You're in good company

AEDC's mission is to create economic opportunity by attracting higher paying jobs, expanding and diversifying our state and local economies, increasing incomes and investment, and generating positive growth throughout Arkansas. Here are some examples of businesses that are thriving!

View All

Case Study

Watch Video

Business Climate

Third lowest cost of doing business and the third lowest cost of living nationally
Competitive incentives and a streamlined state government
Arkansas is one of 27 Right to work states
Strong support from Governor Asa Hutchinson and our Congressional delegation

Industry Strength

Home to 180 Aerospace/Defense companies, including Dassault Falcon Jet, which has established its largest facility in the world in central Arkansas, along with Lockheed Martin, Aerojet Rocketdyne, General Dynamics, and other industry leaders
Aerospace/Defense is Arkansas’ leading export. In 2017, aircraft & aircraft parts were Arkansas’s largest category of export with over $1.5 B dollars in goods exported
Numerous available sites with runway access and aviation-focused facilities

Workforce

8,276 employees in Aerospace/Defense manufacturing; 4,050 directly engaged in aerospace products and parts manufacturing
2,475 Airframe and Powertrain (A&P) licensed mechanics
The Little Rock Air Force Base has more than 10,800 personnel, including civilians, active duty, and Army Reserve Force
From 2010 to present, nearly 1,300 aerospace jobs have been created statewide

Education

45 colleges, universities & 2-year colleges throughout Arkansas
5 educational institutions offer certification in Aviation Maintenance Technology including both Powerplant and Airframe mechanic career education
21 colleges, universities, and 2-year colleges, all high schools and several other organizations offer coursework, instruction or degrees in cybersecurity.
The Arkansas Department of Education's cybersecurity education initiative offers free coursework to all high school students with an interest in the field.
Over 2,100 engineering-related certificates and degrees awarded annually