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
Food-Grade Packaging Companies in Arkansas
September 24, 2018Arkansas sets itself apart as the rich soil for the food and beverage manufacturing industry in North America because of its long history of success in the industry, a wealth of agricultural outputs, the strong and skilled workforce, as well as the pro-business environment. Among the nearly 340 food and beverage manufacturing companies with operations in the Natural State, some are considered the largest players in the world, such as Tyson Foods and Riceland Rice Mill.
One other element that supports the food and beverage manufacturing industry’s success in Arkansas is the robust food-grade packaging industry. Regardless of the materials of the packaging, in general, food packaging serves eight main purposes (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: The eight purposes of food packaging (Click the image to see original size).
As of 2018, there are 39 food-grade packaging companies in Arkansas, with more than two-thirds being paper packaging, and the rest specializing in plastic packaging (see Figure 2). One reason for this paper-heavy distribution is because Arkansas is located in the nation’s wood basket. The state’s forestry industry prospers, especially the west and south portions of the state, outputting products like paper for packaging materials.
Figure 2: Food-grade packaging companies in Arkansas (Click the image to see original size).
Geographically, the packaging companies are scattered around the state. Within the food and beverage manufacturing company clusters (see Figure 2), which are apparent in the three general metropolitan statistical areas (MSA), the packaging companies are located within them with higher density than in other parts of the state as well. This pattern, accompanied by the convenient logistics provided by interstate highways, helps create a favorable business environment for the overall food and beverage industry in the state.
To learn more details of the food and beverage manufacturing industry in Arkansas, please make sure to subscribe to our food and beverage industry insights newsletter.
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.
