Hitting the Bullseye
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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Case Study: Apptegy Brings Communications Tech to Schools Nationwide
December 11, 2017Apptegy, an education technology startup based in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a true technology success story. In April 2015, Jeston George founded Apptegy to bring creative, accessible communications solutions to schools. Through in-state venture capital funding, George was able to launch what has become one of the fastest growing digital companies in the state.
With the help of a close-knit community interested in fostering startups and helping them succeed, George was able to prove a viable market existed that would be interested in using the product. The supportive market helped secure funding from Hayseed Capital, a Fayetteville-based capital investment firm; and Five Elms Capital, a Kansas City-based venture capital firm. George was also concerned with finding talent, but he was able to find success in-state and from developers willing to move to Arkansas, saying, “There are a lot of really talented people who are looking for work in a place with a great quality of life and cost of living.”
“Apptegy’s story shows the power of Arkansans coming together,” Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said. “The school leaders who chose to work with an Arkansas-based company helped pave the way for high-paying technology jobs in the state. In a few years, we’ll see today's students in the Computer Science Initiative working in companies like Apptegy.”
Apptegy Case Study
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.
