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 in Top 10 for Firearms and Ammunition Industry Economic Output, Jobs
February 23, 2023Arkansas is one of the top 10 states for economic output and jobs in the firearms and ammunition industry based on a new study.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released its “2022 Firearm and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report,” which highlights the economic impact that the industry has on states’ economies and the national economy. The report spotlights the number of jobs the firearms and ammunition industry supports – at the direct level, as well as the supplier and induced levels – and the impact, in dollars, that the industry has.
Arkansas was ranked among the top 10 states for economic output for the firearms and ammunition industry in 2021 according to the NSSF report. Arkansas was ranked #4 for total economic output per capita, in addition to being ranked #10 for total economic output in dollars. The state had the second highest growth in economic output for the firearms and ammunition industry in the nation for 2021.
The total economic impact of the firearms and ammunition industry in Arkansas, for 2021, was $2,526,709,300. There was a direct economic output of $1.3 billion in Arkansas due to the firearms and ammunition industry, as well as an output of $588.7 million from suppliers and a $600.4 million induced output.
Arkansas also had the fourth highest number of total jobs per capita for the firearms and ammunition industry and had the fifth highest growth in industry jobs for 2021. Based on the NSSF report, there were 10,426 firearms and ammunition industry jobs in Arkansas, paying an average annual salary of $49,263 and providing $524 million in wages, in 2021.
In Arkansas, the firearms and ammunition industry contributed 4,945 direct jobs paying $217.9 million in wages. Suppliers to the firearms and ammunition industry in Arkansas contributed 2,424 jobs, paying $155.8 million, to the state’s economy. In addition, the industry contributed 3,057 induced jobs to the state’s economy.
The firearms and ammunition industry has a significant impact on the national economy and on Arkansas’ economy.
The U.S. firearms and ammunition industry is steadily growing and has created more than 375,000 new jobs since 2008 throughout the country, according to the report. Since 2008, the firearms industry in the United States has created 169,523 direct jobs, paying more than $7.9 billion in wages, along with 85,188 supplier jobs and 121,108 induced jobs.
Overall, the firearms and ammunition industry has a $70.5 billion economic impact on the U.S. economy, contributing 375,819 total jobs (169,523 direct jobs, 85,188 supplier jobs, and 121,108 induced jobs).
Recently, there have been multiple economic development projects in Arkansas in the firearms and ammunition industry. In 2022, Fiocchi USA announced that the company selected Little Rock, Arkansas as the location for its new primer manufacturing facility – a $41.5 million investment that will create 120 new jobs. Fiocchi established its manufacturing presence in Arkansas in 2020 with a $15 million investment that created 85 new jobs.
Other firearms and ammunition industry projects have had a major impact on Arkansas’ economy. Vista Outdoor acquired the Remington Ammunition facility in Lonoke in October 2020 and has added hundreds of jobs at the facility since the acquisition. Sig Sauer, Inc. relocated a manufacturing facility to Jacksonville, Arkansas in 2018. This project was a $22 million investment and created 77 new jobs.
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.
