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
How Arkansas is Supporting Aerospace & Defense Industry Growth in 2020
February 10, 2020The Aerospace & Defense industry is a significant contributor to Arkansas’ economy, employing nearly 10,000 people at 220 operations around the state, with exports totaling $1.8 billion in 2017.
Our team will continue to work with our valued partners in the industry to grow the sector in Arkansas by attending several industry events in 2020, including:
- Farnborough International Airshow
- NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition
- Mid-America Aerospace & Defense Summit
The Farnborough International Airshow is on July 20-24 in Farnborough, England. It is the second-largest trade exhibition for the aerospace and defense industries with over 80,000 visitors from 96 countries.
The NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition is on October 6-8 in Orlando, Florida. Nearly 25,000 industry professionals will attend the trade show, including manufacturing companies.
The Mid-America Aerospace & Defense Summit is on May 5-7 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Companies from surrounding states will discuss our region’s strong presence and growth potential for the industry.
The Aerospace & Defense sector attracts companies that continue to invest and grow operations here. Arkansas is home to key industry players like Lockheed Martin, Dassault Falcon Jet, and Aerojet Rocketdyne, as well as innovative, niche firms, like Galley Support Innovations and Ozark Integrated Circuits.
Along with business success, these companies have found support from our skilled workforce, industry associations, and state government. With growth projected for the industry, Arkansas is well-positioned to secure our foothold in the global market.
To support the industry’s presence in the state, a delegation from Arkansas attended the Paris Air Show in June 2019. Our team engaged industry leaders and promoted Arkansas as a leading destination for Aerospace & Defense companies and their employees. Leading our group was Governor Asa Hutchinson, who is a strong supporter of the Aerospace & Defense industry in Arkansas.
We look forward to another year of growth for the state’s Aerospace & Defense industry. Our team would love to connect with you at one of these events or set up a meeting to discuss growth opportunities for your company in Arkansas.
Contact our Business Development Team
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.
