Hitting the Bullseye
A pro-Second Amendment state with a robust outdoor economy, Arkansas welcomes firearms and ammunitions companies looking to start up, expand, or relocate. From powder and primer to gunsmithing and shooting accessories, the Natural State has been home to companies across all sectors of the firearms and ammunition industry for decades, a legacy it will continue to grow in the years to come.
The Industry at a Glance
- Home to the Duck Hunting Capital of the World: Stuttgart, Arkansas
- 3rd in economic output per capita in the arms and ammunition industry (Source: National Shooting Sports Foundation)
- 3rd Most Gun-Friendly State (Source: Ammo.com)
- 3rd Largest Exporter of Firearms and Ammunitions in the U.S. (Source: Global Trade Atlas, 2023)
- 8 pro-gun bills passed into law during the 2023 legislative session
- $2.3B in economic output
INFRASTRUCTURE
- Three U.S. interstates connecting east and west coasts, and the Canada and Mexico borders
- 16,418 miles of state and U.S. Highways – 12th largest system in the U.S.
- Eight intermodal freight facilities with four riverports
- 2,542 miles of Class 1 rail systems
- #3 in the nation with 1,000 miles of inland, navigable waterways
- Approximately 100 public airports including Clinton National, Northwest Arkansas National, and close proximity to Memphis International and the Fed-Ex hub
Well-trained workforce
- 7th highest percentage of manufacturing employment (Source: Business Facilities)
- 1.36M skilled and trained workforce
- 12% of Arkansas’ workforce is employed in manufacturing
- 8,400+ people employed in the arms and ammunitions industry.
Business Climate in Arkansas
- #3 Least Expensive State for Starting a Small Business (Source: SimplifyLLC)
- #2 on the Cost of Living Index (Source: C2ER)
- 7th highest percentage of manufacturing employment (Source: Business Facilities)
EDUCATION
- 50 colleges, universities & 2-year colleges throughout Arkansas
- 2,100+ engineering degrees awarded each year
- 150k+ students enrolled at an Arkansas institution of higher learning
- Black River Technical College is 1 of only 11 accredited gunsmithing programs in the US – and the only institution connected to a law enforcement training academy.
- Ozarka College's Precision Machining program prepares students for a career in manufacturing, providing them with skills in manual machining and operation of CNC mills and lathes.
Firearms & Ammunition Industry
Executive Overview
Arkansas is Primed for Success
Home to the duck hunting capital of the world and the 3rd most gun-friendly state, Arkansas is the natural choice for firearms and ammunition companies to find success.
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Professional Development Programs Expand Skilled Workforce in Arkansas
September 20, 2017There are many opportunities for professional development in Arkansas. In an ever-changing global marketplace, the one factor any state can count on is the skill level of its emerging and existing workforce. Here in Arkansas, we are teaching a generation of workers to meet the needs of businesses by equipping students with workforce training opportunities statewide.
The state’s diverse industrial base provides an ample supply of experienced manufacturing workers. The manufacturing sector accounts for 13 percent of the state’s jobs. Throughout the years the sector has shifted from agriculture-based to light manufacturing to more sophisticated processes and products such as advanced food packaging, transportation equipment, and primary and fabricated metals.
Business and Industry Training Program
The Business and Industry Training Program (BITP) is a flexible program designed for new and expanding businesses and industries. BITP has three emphases: recruiting workers, pre-employment training and on-the-job training.
Eligible Businesses:
• Biotechnology Companies
• Distribution Centers
• Intermodal Facilities
• Knowledge-based Companies
• Manufacturing Operations
• National & Regional Corporate Headquarters
• Office Sector Businesses
• Scientific & Technical Services
The BITP provides financial assistance to recruit workforce required for new and expanding businesses and industries in Arkansas.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) offers a pre-employment training program for new and expanding companies, customizing the number of hours and content of the training to fit the specific needs of each company.
Following pre-employment training, if the company hires the trainee, AEDC helps pay the instructional costs to train the new employee. Hours of instruction and the number of instructors depend on the types of work that require on-the-job training.
Career Readiness
Six sister agencies, brought together by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, provide the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), a portable credential based upon the WorkKeys® assessments that demonstrates to employers that an individual possesses the basic workplace skills required for 21st century jobs. There have been more than 65,000 Career Readiness Certificate awarded to date, and the number continues to grow.
You're in good company
At AEDC, we know economic advancement doesn’t happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success. Here are some examples of businesses that are thriving!
Arkansas offers a range of competitive incentives for businesses looking to open, expand or relocate.
