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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Booming: The State of Technology in Arkansas
April 11, 2018The time to consider Arkansas the place to be for established tech companies and new opportunities for technology businesses is now. Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs are growing faster in Arkansas than the national average. Arkansas has some of the best small cities for startup funding and an overall pro-business environment.
Our new Tech Industry Report provides a detailed look at the technology landscape in Arkansas and demonstrates how tech companies and startups of all sizes and varieties are finding success in the state.In it, you will find an overview of the state’s tech workforce and education reform, the most recent industry investments, resources helpful for existing and aspiring startups in Arkansas, as well as the advantages and business incentives for tech companies locating in Arkansas.
Here are just a few highlights from the report, which you can download below.
• Every week, Acxiom powers more than 1 trillion transactions for more than 7,000 global clients.
• The Arkansas Research & Technology Park has had an economic impact of nearly $700 million.
• The Venture Center FinTech Accelerator program in Little Rock is the only accelerator partnered with FIS™ and their 20,000 financial institution customers across 130 countries.
• Arkansas has the seventh-lowest cost of doing business in the nation.
• Arkansas offers business incentives ranging from tax refunds and rebates, to payroll rebates and community grants.
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.
