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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Aerospace & Defense Industry Report
November 12, 2019The Aerospace & Defense industry is a significant part of Arkansas’ economy. As such, these sectors attract many major companies that continue to invest and grow operations here. Key industry players, including Dassault Falcon Jet and Lockheed Martin, call Arkansas home. There are nearly 10,000 employees at approximately 220 aerospace and defense operations throughout the state.
Along with business success, these companies have found staunch support from our strong workforce, industry associations, and state government. And, with growth projected for the industry well into the foreseeable future, Arkansas is well-positioned to secure our foothold in the global market.
Arkansas has a trained and skilled workforce in both the defense and aviation industries. Arkansas is positioned as a leader in aerospace education, with five military installations and 33 aviation-related education programs throughout the state.
The Aerospace & Defense Industry report provides an in-depth analysis of the history and success of the Aerospace & Defense industry in Arkansas. Topics covered include:
- Industry presence and growth
- Current companies
- Case studies
- Workforce and training
- Strong history in Arkansas
Keep up with the latest news in the industry by subscribing to our quarterly newsletter, the Aerospace and Defense Beacon, or by downloading the Aerospace and Defense report.
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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.
