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.
Watch MoreFrom the newsroom
LaCroix Precision Optics Expands in Batesville, Arkansas, Creating 107 New Jobs
LaCroix Precision Optics is expanding in Batesville, Arkansas, creating 107 new jobs.
ReadWhite River Energetics Expands in Des Arc, Creates 100 New Jobs
White River Energetics is expanding in Des Arc, creating 100 new jobs.
ReadAfter Meeting with Governor Sanders During Her European Trade Mission, Walther Announces $30M Expansion in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Walther is expanding in Fort Smith, Arkansas with a capital investment of up to $30 millio...
Readfrom the blog
Case Study: CaseStack Uses Technology to Deliver Savings
March 16, 2018Dan Sanker is a man with a vision: for companies of all sizes to have efficient, cost-effective warehousing and distribution systems. For small and midsize suppliers, it’s often not affordable to invest in their own supply chain management. Trucks go out half-empty, and the cost of wasted time and capital is passed on to consumers.
Sanker opened CaseStack in Santa Monica, California, in 1999. Using technology platforms, CaseStack consolidates clients’ products into a network of deliveries heading to the same distribution center, store or warehouse into one truckload delivery. In turn, CaseStack coordinates a national network of suppliers to deliver to large retailers like Amazon, Kroger, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart.
By 2008, he was looking for a place to expand his business to a more central location. Fayetteville, Arkansas, proved to be an ideal location, not only because of its geographic position; but also because of the many retailers, suppliers and logistics companies in the region, as well as the University of Arkansas.
Arkansas’ business-friendly environment has given CaseStack opportunities to grow its freight consolidation programs. “When you’re a business in Arkansas,” Sanker said, “you get attention and cooperation and a collaborative environment with the state, the university system, and the local government, that you just can’t get in a big city.” In turn, CaseStack helps elevate the tech industry in Arkansas, bringing new expertise into the field of logistics in a region where delivery, warehousing and distribution are an integral part of the economy.
The Fayetteville office is both the company’s regional headquarters and its center for sustainability. CaseStack’s customers have saved about 40 percent in logistical costs while improving time efficiency by 20 percent each year. The company’s “Delivered Green” program saves more than 24 million pounds in carbon dioxide emissions every year.
You can learn more about how CaseStack is quickly becoming the industry leader of retail logistics and the role Fayetteville, Arkansas, has played in its success by downloading our case study.
Opportunities for technology businesses abound in Arkansas. Could your business be the next success story?
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.
