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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3 NW Arkansas Cities Rank in Top 20 Best Places for Biking
July 16, 2020Northwest Arkansas is a mountain biking paradise. People for Bikes recently released the 3rd annual ratings of best cities for bicycling. Arkansas is the only state to have three cities rank in the top 20. Rogers, Fayetteville, and Bella Vista scored high across the five criteria: ridership, safety, network, reach, and acceleration.
Northwest Arkansas cities scored especially high in the acceleration category, due to how quickly the cycling infrastructure and ridership is growing.
"The investment in bike infrastructure, education, bike culture, volunteer and community capacity building is truly world class," Jenn Dice of PeopleForBikes said of the region.
Rogers was ranked No. 6. Local favorites include Lake Atalanta and Railyard Bike Park, the city’s one-of-a-kind jump park. The city is working to link the existing and new trails together to provide recreational and alternative transportation routes for Rogers’ citizens.
Fayetteville, ranked No. 10., is home to hidden gems, including the popular bluff-lined trails at Kessler Mountain. The city boasts extensive trails, street bike routes, and several bike rental shops.
"We are extremely proud of what we've been able to do here in Fayetteville," said Mayor Lioneld Jordan. "A community that – just 20 years ago – didn't have a single bike lane or a shared-use paved trail is now in the top ten in the nation. It's remarkable progress."
Bella Vista also made the list at No. 14. In Bella Vista, cyclists enjoy the Back 40 Trails which were built in 2016. With more than 50 miles of trails, Bella Vista is a cyclist’s dream.
Other Arkansas cities that made the Top 100 are Bentonville at No. 39 and Springdale at No. 74.
Mountain biking serves as a major economic driver for the region by not only increasing tourism but fostering infrastructure improvements that improve quality of life in the region and attract talent for Arkansas’ thriving industries.
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.
