A Diverse Economy

Our unique blend of industries instantly connects you to a lucrative index of resources, talent, and decision-makers. Here, global retailers are neighbors to massive data curators. Biotechnologists rub elbows with industrial manufacturers. Alternative energy providers share communities with logistics specialists. Achieving success isn't just about what you know but also about who you know.

Aerospace & Defense

Aerospace and aviation represents Arkansas’ #1 export, and we are home to nearly 150 well-known aerospace and defense companies that include MRO, component parts, completion centers, and defense contractors as well as the Little Rock Air Force Base. The state is also home to the Highland Industrial Park, one of the nation’s fastest growing defense corridors, with companies like Aerojet Rocketdyne, Esterline, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

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Aerospace & Defense

AgTech & Forestry

Arkansas is at the heart of this timber-rich area of the country, due to much of the state being covered by 19 million acres of forestland, or more than half of the total area of the state. This is having a huge impact on the state’s economy, timber and forest products companies from around the world, and the lives of the many families living in the area who are seeing an increase in jobs created by those companies.

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AgTech & Forestry

Firearms & Ammunition

Arkansas keeps the firearms and ammunition industry in its sights. From manufacturers to businesses involved in sales and distribution, the Arkansas firearms and ammunition industry is diverse. Companies that call Arkansas home include SIG SAUER, Remington, Daisy, Walther, Nighthawk Custom, Thermold Magazines, Umarex, and Wilson Combat. As a pro-second amendment state, Arkansas welcomes firearms and ammunition companies looking to start-up, expand, or relocate.

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Firearms & Ammunition

Food & Beverage

Arkansas knows the food and agribusiness industry. We're home to Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest food companies, and manufacturing facilities for some of the top companies in the industry, including PepsiCo, Nestle, JBS USA, Kraft Heinz, and many others. We're also an agricultural leader, producing 49 percent of all the rice in the United States. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission works diligently to assist food and beverage companies looking to expand or relocate.

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Food & Beverage

Information Technology

When it comes to economic development in the technology sector, Arkansas is rising. With the second-lowest cost of living in the country and business incentives for technology-based organizations, the state is attracting companies from around the world and bringing in a skilled workforce to fill high-tech jobs in cybersecurity, fintech, retail, supply chain and more.

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Information Technology

Logistics & Distribution

With a central location and comprehensive transportation infrastructure, it’s not surprising that Arkansas has a growing distribution and logistics services sector. Arkansas is home to more than 6,800 transportation, logistics, and distribution companies. Additionally, Arkansas is home to Fortune 500 company J.B. Hunt Transportation Services.

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Logistics & Distribution

Metals

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 boasts the second-largest capacity for steel production in the nation.

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Metals

Professional Services

Home to corporate leaders in retail, transportation, food processing and oil, our economy is as diverse as our workforce. Arkansas offers great assets to companies looking to establish or relocate a headquarters operation.

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Professional Services

Get Monthly Updates from AEDC

Stay up-to-date on the latest job announcements, important statewide statistics, and other economic development news.

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Incentives Programs

As a business-friendly state, Arkansas offers a range of competitive incentives for businesses looking to open, expand or relocate. From cash rebates to community grants, Arkansas' business incentives encourage job creation and investment.

Community Development Block Grant
Equity Investment Tax Credit
Targeted Business Incentives
Investment Incentives
Job Creation Incentives
Research & Development Incentives
Specialized Incentives
Exemptions/Reductions
Film Production Incentives

Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program benefits low- and moderate-income persons and addresses other urgent community development needs.

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Equity Investment Tax Credit

This discretionary incentive is targeted toward new, technology-based businesses paying wages in excess of the state or county average wage.

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Targeted Business Incentives

At the discretion of the AEDC Executive Director, businesses may be offered incentives designed to help knowledge-based, start-up businesses.

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Investment Incentives

Arkansas' investment incentive, Tax Back, is a sales and use tax refund for the purchase of building materials, machinery, and equipment.

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Job Creation Incentives

Arkansas offers several types of job creation incentives, including income tax credits, cash rebates, and infrastructure grants.

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Research & Development Incentives

Arkansas’s Research & Development incentive programs are intended to provide incentives for university-based research, in-house research, and research & development in start-up, technology-based enterprises.

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Specialized Incentives

Arkansas can provide specific incentives for industries that meet expenditure requirements.

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Exemptions/Reductions

Arkansas offers a variety of tax exemptions and reductions. These include exemptions for purchasing equipment, providing childcare and tuition reimbursement, and rehabilitating properties.

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Film Production Incentives

Arkansas' film incentives are designed to offset costs incurred in Arkansas in the production or postproduction of qualified projects.

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View the Arkansas Incentives Tier Map

You're in good company

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!

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