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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Arkansas food and beverage: Blockchain technology increases traceability
July 27, 2018On June 27th, 2018, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and IBM hosted the Blockchain Technology Summit in Little Rock. The summit gathered blockchain technology leaders as well as those in agriculture, technology, education and other fields to create a blockchain initiative known as BC4AR (Blockchain for Arkansas). Governor Hutchinson said that this state initiative has the potential to “improve the delivery of goods and services in a full range of industries, especially the food industry.” This new technology would revolutionize the way businesses and distributors function across the state and the nation.
What exactly is blockchain technology? Many people have heard of blockchain but do not fully grasp what the concept is and how it effectively works. According to Investopedia, blockchain is “a digitized, decentralized, public ledger” that can be used to track economic exchanges between parties. This technology is proven to be a safe and trustworthy way of doing business. It is often associated with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. However, blockchain can be used for a wide variety of tasks in almost every industry.
Companies in Arkansas are exploring the benefits of using blockchain for food and beverage traceability. At the BC4AR conference, representatives from large Arkansas-based corporations like Tyson, Walmart and Riceland Foods attended to explore the opportunities blockchain can offer their businesses. These large companies are interested in using the technology to reduce food waste and create a traceable system for greater transparency and safety for customers.
The food industry has long needed a system that can effectively protect and inform both consumers and producers. With blockchain technology, people can have access to instantaneously updated information that can accurately inform consumers on food recalls. Customers can also verify other information, ensuring the food is properly labelled as organic, non-GMO, etc.
In terms of food and beverage industry trends, Arkansas has a history of leading supply chain technologies, and the state is proving no different in regard to blockchain. Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative, a livestock co-op based in Clinton, Arkansas, began testing product tracking using blockchain in 2017, putting the state at the forefront of implementing this technology.
Blockchain is taking a noticeable position among all the technologies that can revolutionize trade and create a better economic environment for Arkansas. Through the initiatives taken by the state and corporations, an improved system of transparency and efficiency can be employed.
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.
