Two Events Highlight Arkansas’ Thriving Aerospace and Defense Industry
August 15, 2023Arkansas has a booming aerospace and defense industry, and two upcoming events will be shining a big spotlight on this sector.
Arkansas is providing a launching pad for aerospace and defense companies and their products. Throughout the state, there are companies manufacturing critical aerospace and defense products, as well as companies that supply resources and materials for these manufacturers.
In fact, aerospace and aviation products were Arkansas’ leading export in 2022. Aerospace and defense exports totaled more than $890 million in 2022 – more than 15 percent of the state’s total exports.
Some of these products include significant weapons systems. South Arkansas is becoming recognized as a leading U.S. defense industry hub. Arkansas workers are producing technologically advanced weapons systems that are protecting freedom around the globe – right in Camden at the Highland Industrial Park.
There are also cutting-edge aviation companies that are making an impact in Arkansas. Dassault Falcon Jet operates its largest facility in the world – right in Little Rock – where it finishes all of its state-of-the-art aircraft at the Little Rock Completion Center.
Chad Causey, the executive director of the Arkansas Aerospace & Defense Alliance, says that Arkansas is making waves in the aerospace and defense industry.
“The aerospace and defense industries in Arkansas punch above their weight class here in Arkansas,” he said. “With a solid workforce and low cost of doing business, Arkansas is the ideal place to locate in these sectors.”
In June 2023, an Arkansas delegation of state officials, business executives, and economic developers attended the Paris Air Show to promote our state’s aerospace and defense industry. Led by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the delegation met with numerous aerospace executives to talk about their companies and the benefits of doing business in Arkansas. In the coming months, you’ll be hearing more about these companies and their growth plans.
This European mission not only helped highlight Arkansas – but it also helped put the spotlight on several Arkansas companies that attended the Paris Air Show. These companies included AirReady MRO, Aviation Repair Technologies, Blue Gold by Modern Chemical, Galley Support Innovations, Mundo-Tech, and ORC Products, as well as industry partners Arkansas Aerospace & Defense Alliance, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Arkansas, Clinton National Airport, Little Rock Regional Chamber, and World Trade Center Arkansas. At the Paris Air Show, these companies had the opportunity to showcase their products and services to a global audience of aerospace leaders, forging new connections and growth pipelines for their businesses.
All of this growth in Arkansas didn’t happen by itself, and we have to maintain our momentum. We have several upcoming events that we’re excited about and that will help push our state’s aerospace and defense industry forward.
On August 23-24, the Mid-America Aerospace + Defense Summit will be held in Rogers at the Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas. Hosted by the Arkansas Aerospace and Defense Alliance, the summit is an opportunity for your company to interact with aerospace industry leaders, government officials, and training experts. The event will provide many business-to-business opportunities, in addition to an industry tradeshow that will feature companies from around the American Heartland.
“The Mid-America Aerospace + Defense Summit is rapidly becoming the can’t-miss trade show in the central United States,” said Causey. “More than 12 states will be represented this year, and with major OEMs such as Lockheed Martin, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Dassault Falcon Jet and General Dynamics, suppliers get great exposure to new lines of business.”
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) will be holding its annual Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition on October 17-19 in Las Vegas. During the NBAA convention, attendees will be able to meet and interact with thousands of aerospace companies and leaders – giving them a prime opportunity to grow their business.
I’m excited for both of these events and look forward to promoting the great State of Arkansas as a place for the aerospace and defense industry to grow. If you’re at the Mid-America Aerospace + Defense Summit or the NBAA convention, please reach out if you want to learn why Arkansas is the natural choice for growth and expansion.
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