Forging Ahead in Arkansas
In Arkansas, the metals industry employs over 22,000 individuals and accounts for 13.6% of total manufacturing. Located in the Northeast corner of Arkansas, Mississippi County is the top steel producing county in the United States.
Why Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the metals industry employs over 20,000 individuals and accounts for 13.6% of total manufacturing. Located in the Northeast corner of Arkansas, Mississippi County is the top steel producing county in the United States.
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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!
Quick Facts:
20,000+ | Employed by the industry | |
500+ | Metals establishments in Arkansas | |
$625M+ | Worth of goods exported in 2024 |
“We’ve been impressed from the first day we set foot in this state, just considering building another scrap recycling and steel mill. Arkansas was a good home for that. They had the river system, railroad system, highway system, and electrical grid system. What they had then, they have today — only in spades.”
David Stickler
CEO, Big River Steel
“This is the place that it needs to happen. People want to come to this area. Companies want to come down here. Why? In large part due to the things we do right here at this steel mill [in Hickman].”Ladd Hall
Executive Vice President, Nucor
“People have heard me refer to this as steel mill heaven. And the reason we are here is really because of the work ethic of Arkansans.”
John Correnti
Former CEO, Big River Steel
“The strength and commitment of the state of Arkansas and our local teammates has given us the opportunity to make the next investment in the future of tube production for the entire country.”Barry Zekelman
CEO, Atlas Tube
From the Newsroom
Taber Extrusions Breaks Ground on $70M Expansion in Russellville, Arkansas
Taber Extrusions has broken ground on its new $70 million expansion in Russellville, Arkan...
ReadLexicon Expanding Headquarters, Fabrication Operations in Little Rock, Arkansas
Lexicon is expanding its headquarters and fabrication operations in Little Rock, Arkansas,...
ReadWelspun Tubular Conducts Groundbreaking Ceremony for Expansion at its Little Rock Facility in Arkansas
Welspun Tubular broke ground on the $100 million expansion of its facility in Little Rock,...
ReadFrom the Blog
Arkansas Company Drives Advancements in Manufacturing Technology
Big River Steel in Osceola, AR, is putting artificial intelligence to great use to improve...
ReadMississippi County, Arkansas, is Primed for Steel
Mississippi County is the fourth-largest steel-producing county in the United States, and ...
ReadHow Arkansas Became a Leader in the Steel Industry
Since the land was first discovered, the fertile soil of the Arkansas Delta has produced c...
Read