“Arkansas is one of the most business-friendly states in the country. From entrepreneurship to industrial growth, we’ve been successful due to our low costs, an experienced workforce, a strong talent pipeline, abundant natural resources, and a collaborative environment that wants companies to succeed.”
— Clint O’Neal, Executive Director, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Mississippi River State Park in Marianna, Arkansas (Photo: Courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism)
TARGETED GROWTH SECTORS
Lithium: Major deposits of lithium in south Arkansas have positioned the state as a future leader in the EV vehicle sector. The Smackover Formation has one of the world’s largest sources of bromine.
Technology: Central Arkansas is a longstanding leader in fintech, and there are growing logistics, agriculture, and education technology firms in Arkansas.
Timber: There are 19 million total acres of forestland in Arkansas, covering 57% of the state’s land area. Arkansas has the natural resources for timber companies to thrive.
TOP PROJECTS
COMPANY
LOCATION
INVESTMENT
Albemarle Corporation
Magnolia
$618 million
Highbar LLC
Osceola
$450.1 million
Westrock Coffee Roasting LLC
Conway
$364 million
SIG SAUER Inc.
Jacksonville
$150 million
Owens Corning
Russellville
$69 million
Featured Locations
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission works strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success. Arkansas is an industry-friendly state, offering businesses low costs, a strong workforce, and a high quality of life.
The Hot Springs Metro Partnership is the area’s public/private economic development organization, serving all of Garland County. There are also more than 250,000 people within a 30-minute driving radius of Hot Springs, ensuring our employers have a readily available workforce, and we are in our K-12 schools teaching workforce opportunities to our future labor force. Greater Hot Springs has one of the most vibrant economies in Arkansas in one of the nation’s most scenic settings.
FAST FACTS
Population (July 2022 est.): 3,045,637¹
Largest Cities (2020): Little Rock (202,484); Fayetteville (94,020); Fort Smith (89,141); Springdale (87,390); Jonesboro (78,787)¹
Real GDP (2022): $126.5 billion²
¹ U.S. Census Bureau ² Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Dept. of Commerce
WORKFORCE PROGRAM
The Arkansas Steelmaking Bootcamp is a jobs skills program that provides training that workers need to enter the fast-growing steel industry in our state.
TOP BUSINESS FACILITIES RANKINGS
Top 10 Manufacturing (Job Growth)
2024 State Rankings
Top 10 Best Business Climate (Large): Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers
2024 Metro Rankings
Top 10 Most Affordable Cities (Small): Jonesboro
2024 Metro Rankings
Top 10 Most Affordable Cities (Medium): Little Rock
