In Arkansas, small businesses are making a big impact.

Throughout the state, there are many small business owners and entrepreneurs who have launched highly successful businesses that are creating jobs for Arkansans. These innovators and risk takers are investing their time and money in The Natural State because they know that Arkansas is a great place to live and do business.

In its “Executive Voice” video series, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) highlights executives and business owners across the state and asks them the question, “Why Arkansas?” For its latest Executive Voice video, AEDC interviewed Harvey Williams, the co-founder of Delta Dirt Distillery, to learn why he chooses to do business in Arkansas. 

Harvey Williams co-founded and runs Delta Dirt Distillery in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas. An Arkansas native, Williams moved back to the Natural State with his family and wanted to start a business that would capitalize on his family’s farm.

“I grew up in the area. Our farm is in Phillips County – maybe 20-plus miles west of here [Helena-West Helena]. But I’ve always wanted to come back,” Williams said. “We moved back to the area from Dallas. We’ve lived in a number of places, traveling around with my job. [We were] looking to connect a business model to the farm. This seemed like a perfect way to do that.”

The family-owned business produces a range of alcoholic spirits, including its Sweet Blend Vodka, its Tall Cotton Gin, and the upcoming Delta Blues Bourbon, using the farm’s crops.

Delta Dirt Distillery is located in downtown Helena-West Helena on historic Cherry Street, where the Williams family renovated a building into a state-of-the-art distillery and tasting room.

“We wanted to create something here that we find to be really charming and really special. We have people come in here every day and say, ‘This is really something I wouldn’t expect to have this in the Delta – no less a product out of the Delta like what you guys have created.’”

People inside and outside of Arkansas are starting to take notice of Delta Dirt Distillery’s products. The company won a Double Gold award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Sweet Blend Vodka in 2022.  Delta Dirt Distillery also took home the gold and best-in-class awards for its vodka from the American Craft Spirits Association competition.

To Williams, one of the advantages of doing business in Arkansas is the diversity it offers.

“Why Arkansas? I think Arkansas is such a diverse state because you can go in any part of the state and find something special,” he said. “What we’ve created here in the Delta is even more special because the sweet potato vodka we’ve created – you’re only going to find it at Delta Dirt Distillery. It’s probably the best sweet potato vodka you’re going to find in the country.”

See other executives make the case for doing business in Arkansas here.