Arkansas has an abundance of resources to help food processing companies succeed. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission works directly with food processing companies looking to start-up, expand or relocate. In addition, we assist companies with finding the best incentives so companies are able to make money quickly and efficiently.
There were 522 food and beverage companies in Arkansas at the end of 2022. These companies employed 55,130 people. Arkansas is home to Tyson Foods and numerous other food processing facilities, including Nestle, JBS USA, Kraft Heinz, Mars Inc., Cargill Inc., Hormel Foods Corp, Riceland Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, ConAgra Brands Inc., Land O’ Frost and Frito-Lay, Inc.
Arkansas has the 5th largest percentage of food processing workers in the United States. The growth rate of the food and beverage industry from 2017 to 2022 was 6 percent in Arkansas.
The food processing industry is booming in Arkansas and continues to grow exponentially. Eight of the top 10 food and beverage companies by revenue in the world have manufacturing facilities in the state.
Arkansas is meeting the workforce needs for food processing companies. The state now has the second-largest number of food processing workers in the US and Arkansas has responded to industry growth by modernizing the workforce.
According to a new poll from financial education website Growella, Fayetteville, Arkansas, ranked #15 in the list of top cities to live for millennials. The study, which identified millennials as anyone between the ages of 20 to 34, focused on the cost-of-living for people in the demographic. To come up with the rankings, Growella measured and weighted six key factors: 1) How many entry-level jobs are available in the city, 2) How much time is spent commuting in the city, 3) What is the public transportation situation like, 4) How many young people live there, 5) What’s the after-work and weekend scene like, and 6) How far does a paycheck get you in the city. Fayetteville received its high ranking because of the reasonably strong “paycheck length.” The city also ranked fifth best for shortest commute times and was in the top 10 for its young population.
It’s no wonder young professionals have flocked to the area over the past several years. Fayetteville – together with the surrounding cities of Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale – has seen tremendous growth in recent years, and for good reason. The area has become a hub for economic development, commerce, culture, education, the arts and entertainment. Northwest Arkansas is the birthplace of Wal-Mart, the headquarters of Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt Transportation, and the home of the University of Arkansas. The business-friendly state has brought in hundreds of other Fortune 500 companies including Proctor & Gamble, Rubbermaid and Coca-Cola. In fact, in 2016 Fayetteville was ranked in the top 25 “Best Places for Business and Careers” by Forbes magazine.
While the cost-of-living and available job opportunities may be the driving force behind getting young people to move to the area, the quality of life in Fayetteville makes them stay. Adults between the ages of 20 to 34 years old are often interested in lifestyle amenities when considering where they want to live, and Fayetteville has something for everyone. For the second year in a row, U.S. News & World Report ranked Fayetteville in the top five “Best Places to Live” in the nation. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, the city attracts nature lovers with its many parks and outdoor activities. The area is also home to an emerging arts scene, an active local food and craft beer movement, live music venues and unique festivals.
As Fayetteville continues to grow and bring in more young professionals to the area, Arkansas’s economic development will continue to grow right along with it.
