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 #3 for Food Processing in the United States
August 05, 2021Arkansas is the third-highest ranked state for food processing, according to the latest Business Facilities report.
Arkansas was recently ranked among the top 10 U.S. states for both food processing and manufacturing employment. In its 17th annual Rankings Report, Business Facilities named Arkansas #3 among food processing leaders in the United States and #10 for employment in the manufacturing industry.
According to Business Facilities, Arkansas also has the 10th-highest manufacturing employment in the United States, by percentage of workforce.
“Arkansas has a long history of success in the food and beverage industry,” said Mike Preston, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce. “From well-known brands to smaller, private operations, food and beverage companies continue to win in Arkansas, because of our high percentage of experienced workers, the infrastructure to support growth, and support at both the state and local levels. Food and Beverage companies are welcome in Arkansas!”
In Arkansas, there were 372 food and beverage companies in Arkansas, employing 55,043 people, as of 2020. Some of the notable industry names with facilities in Arkansas include Fortune 500 Tyson Foods, headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, and the third-largest employer in the state; PepsiCo; Nestle; ConAgra, Riceland Foods; Frito-Lay; Gerber; Butterball; and Pernod Ricard.
From 2018 to present, there have been 24 food and beverage industry projects in Arkansas, based on signed incentive agreements. These projects have resulted in $595.7 million in investment, creating 2,709 jobs with an average wage of $17.39.
In 2021 alone, there have been multiple food and beverage industry investments in Arkansas. Butterball announced an investment of $8.7 million into its two processing facilities in Northwest Arkansas, creating 360 new jobs. Mars Petcare will be investing $145 million into its Fort Smith manufacturing facility and create 120 new jobs. Custom Craft Poultry is opening a new poultry processing plant in Little Rock, a $10 million project that will generate 290 new jobs.
Several Arkansas metros were recognized by Business Facilities. The Fort-Smith-Fayetteville region was named the #2 area for food processing in the United States. Little Rock-Conway was named among the top 10 mid-sized health care hubs, coming in at #8 in the nation.
Northwest Arkansas was also highlighted for its rapid population growth. The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro was named the #4 fastest-growing metro in the United States.
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.
