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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Arkansas Company’s “Out of this World” Success: Ozark Integrated Circuits
April 17, 2018Opportunities for technology businesses come in all shapes and sizes and, sometimes, from unexpected sources. Ozark Integrated Circuits is one of the many cutting-edge tech startups in Northwest Arkansas. Spun out of research by University of Arkansas Distinguished Professor Alan Mantooth and supported by the National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), it’s among only a few companies in the nation able to create complex integrated circuits and electronic systems that can survive in extreme environments.
In this case, “extreme environments” means incredibly high and low temperatures — from the freezing point of gasoline (-58°F) to the melting point of aluminum (1,221°F) — along with extreme humidity, vibration, high voltage, radiation, etc. Needless to say, these bits of tech aren’t for everyday use.
Indeed, Ozark Integrated Circuits has won contracts from NASA to help them develop, among other things, components for an ultraviolet imager to study the environment on Venus.
NASA and the United States Air Force are tapping into Arkansas’ burgeoning tech talent, and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) has been privileged to be part of the process.
Matt Francis, CEO of Ozark Integrated Circuits said, “A very important institution has been the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. They’ve been hugely helpful in making connections for us between other companies in Arkansas, helping us fit inside the ecosystem of the state.”
With the help of AEDC’s Technology Development Program investments and the Technology Transfer Assistance Grant Program, Ozark Integrated Circuits has acquired more than 10 Small Business Innovation Research grants. And the company’s connection to the Arkansas Research & Technology Park has helped them secure a talented workforce.
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.
