Arkansas’ unemployment rate hit a record low of 3.4 percent in July 2017 and has stayed below the national unemployment rate of around 3.7 percent.
Arkansas’ principal industries are agriculture, business services, forestry, manufacturing, tourism, and transportation logistics. Additional interesting sectors include aerospace and aviation, biosciences, data, distribution and logistics services, firearms and ammunition, healthcare, paper and timber products, smart grid technologies, software development data management services, and steel production.
The startup scene in Arkansas is booming. A strong talent pool, a growing number of incubators and accelerator programs, and available funding and incentives have created a welcoming environment for entrepreneurs of all types.
Capitalizing on Momentum in 2020
January 16, 2020Arkansas Secretary of Commerce, Mike Preston, discusses capitalizing on the economic development momentum created in 2019 as we enter a new year and a...
Read >“Why Arkansas?” Video Shines Light on Business Opportunity
March 18, 2019From timber to technology, Arkansas draws in businesses from every industry. Executives share why being in Arkansas is good for business.
Read >Is Future Fit The Right Fit For You?
January 29, 2019The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) collaborated with 10 companies in western Arkansas to launch a pilot skills gap workforce program ...
Read >Arkansas' Advantages in the Food and Beverage Industry: Comparisons within the Region
November 30, 2018In an effort to show Arkansas’ competitive advantages to businesses looking at the southeastern region of the United States, this article compares Ark...
Read >Infographic: Arkansas is ripe for food and beverage manufacturers
October 31, 2018Our latest infographic highlights Arkansas’ top food and beverage manufacturers, looks at the current industry workforce, and so much more...
Read >Today’s advanced manufacturing is not your father’s factory job
October 02, 2018Arkansas leads the way in advanced manufacturing.
Read >Arkansas Prepares The Next Generation of Food and Beverage Industry Leaders
August 01, 2018Arkansas has a wide range of education and training programs available for people working or intending to work in the food and beverage industry. Here...
Read >Three State Programs Designed to Strengthen Arkansas’ Workforce
March 23, 2018Though the debate over whether or not a four-year college degree is the right choice for everyone rages on, it is without question that every Arkansan...
Read >Technology is Changing Education and the Workforce Landscape in Arkansas
March 09, 2018Nationwide, there were nearly 10 times as many open computing jobs as there were computer science graduates in 2017. As more and more of the economy b...
Read >Mississippi County, Arkansas, is Primed for Steel
February 09, 2018Mississippi County is the fourth-largest steel-producing county in the United States, and local leaders are taking the initiative to ensure the growin...
Read >Arkansas is Committed to Workforce Training
November 11, 2017Preparing homegrown talent to fill high-paying jobs in Arkansas is a must. As a follow up to our post about developing the talent pipeline through qua...
Read >Arkansas is Committed to its Talent Pipeline
November 09, 2017A state’s economic future is only as strong as the children it raises and the workforce it develops. When evaluating a state for business potential, t...
Read >Businesses Search for Ways to "Hook" Top Tech Challenge
October 18, 2017With growing competition for the best technology workers, it’s vital for companies to understand how to recruit and retain top talent. It all comes do...
Read >Arkansas Inc Podcast - Workforce Priorities for Business Development
October 03, 2017Danny Games, Executive Vice President of Global Business for Arkansas Economic Development Commission, discusses the workforce impact on business deve...
Read >Professional Development Programs Expand Skilled Workforce in Arkansas
September 20, 2017There are many opportunities for professional development in Arkansas. In an ever-changing global marketplace, the one factor any state can count on i...
Read >Training the Timber Trade in Arkansas
June 08, 2017The forestry economy is deeply integrated in Arkansas. Every new job in the timber industry creates 2.5 jobs in the state, and forest industries provi...
Read >LIFE IN THE NATURAL STATE
