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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Bentonville Ranked as Nation’s 5th Fastest-Growing City
July 23, 2020Once a sleepy Arkansas town, Bentonville has transformed into a bustling center of commerce and culture. In this Northwest Arkansas city, modern progress meets rich history, the arts meet innovation, and companies meet communities.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Bentonville is the nation’s fifth fastest-growing city. In 2019, the population of Bentonville grew 7.4% to a population of 54,909.
With all that Bentonville has to offer, it’s no wonder that the city averaged 10 additional residents per day from July 1, 2018, to July 1, 2019. The growth rate can be attributed to steady business expansion and quality of life improvements that have been prioritized by the community over the past decade.
Bentonville was sparsely populated when Sam Walton opened a dime store in 1951, unaware that the store would evolve into the world’s largest retailer, Walmart. Even 20 years later, when the first Walmart distribution center opened in Bentonville, the city was home to just over 5,000 people.
Walmart put Bentonville on the map, but there's a lot more to the Northwest Arkansas city.
Bentonville is a nature lover’s paradise and an impressive cultural center with a booming culinary scene.
As an outdoor destination, Bentonville’s proximity to hiking, fishing, canoeing, and biking is popular year-round.
Located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Bentonville leaders have staked their city’s claim as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World. Bentonville boasts approximately 130 miles of singletrack connected to downtown Bentonville and access to more than 250 miles of unrivaled regional trails.
Everything you could want is within a short ride from the trails, whether it’s boutique hotels and artisan shops, or fashionable restaurants and world-class art museums.
Art is a central part of the city’s appeal. Bentonville is home to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and The Momentary, which offer sophisticated and unique opportunities to explore renowned art.
The entire Northwest Arkansas region is growing, with Bentonville leading the way for nearby cities. Census data shows Fayetteville, Springdale, and Rogers, along with several smaller Northwest Arkansas cities had some of the state’s highest growth rates in 2019.
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.
