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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Arkansas Ranked No. 6 for Lowest Average Electricity Prices
April 23, 2021According to an April 2021 Energy Affordability Report by the American Legislative Council, Arkansas holds the No. 6 spot for lowest average electricity prices in the nation. This means more money in the pockets of Arkansas residents and business owners and gives the state an added advantage in future economic development.
The American Legislative Council Report evaluated each state’s electric pricing in cents per kilowatt-hour (KWh) with data sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The prices were broken down into residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors. The report states, “While the ‘total’ price of electricity is the main focus of this report, the sector-specific prices are important to note because they can directly impact a state’s economic competitiveness. Electricity prices in these sectors serve as important business inputs, helping to determine how many and which types of businesses choose to operate in that state.” When looking at the prices broken down by sectors, Arkansas tied for the No. 1 lowest average price in the residential sector and showed itself to be noticeably competitive in the other sectors as well.
Low energy prices are a part of the reason Arkansas has one of the lowest costs of doing business in U.S. Combined with its expansive infrastructure, strong workforce, and competitive incentives for businesses, it’s evident that Arkansas is in a prime position for economic growth in the foreseeable future.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT
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.
