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.
The tech industry in Arkansas continues to mature as local businesses establish and expand within the state. First Orion, a phone security software company founded in Little Rock, announced in November 2017 it would expand and relocate its global headquarters to North Little Rock.
The multi-story, multi-million-dollar office will be located in North Little Rock’s Argenta district as anchor tenant of the future Argenta Plaza in the 500 block of Main Street. First Orion’s 60,000 square-foot headquarters will employ approximately 200 people, more than doubling the size of its current workforce.
“Central Arkansas is an inspiring place for us to be,” said First Orion Chairman and CEO Charles Morgan. “We’re helping to transform the region into a prominent technology hub and we are honored to be such a big part of the Argenta Plaza. Not only is First Orion building technology, but we are also building careers.”
Morgan is well known for the creation and leadership of the tech industry in Arkansas. His experience managing and investing in private and public companies, including Acxiom Corporation, an information services company he helped grow from an early-stage Arkansas-based tech company to an international corporation that generated $1.4 billion in annual revenue during his tenure as CEO from 1972 to 2008. Morgan served as the Chairman of Acxiom’s Board for 30 years and also held various leadership roles with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), including Chairman of the Board.
"As Governor, it's exciting to see key tech players expanding throughout Arkansas," said Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. "It is truly the best environment for technology businesses to grow and for aspiring professionals to learn necessary skills to compete in this tech-driven economy.”
First Orion is actively recruiting new employees for positions in software development, analytics and customer management. First Orion collectively employs more than 100 people in management, marketing administration and tech-related jobs with plans to double entering into the new offices. In addition to its Arkansas headquarters, the company has offices in Seattle, Dallas and London.
“Through my computer science initiative, Arkansas continues to grow a young talent base of future programmers, data scientists, computer engineers and endless possibilities. I expect First Orion will become even more involved in our state's emerging tech community in the future,” Hutchinson added.
First Orion provides phone call transparency by empowering both consumers and businesses with world-class data. The company protects consumers from unwanted phone calls from unknown callers with call-management software known as PrivacyStar, which is used on industry-leading mobile applications and in-network solutions. Additionally, as one of several tech companies in Arkansas, First Orion helps businesses use authoritative data to ensure they are properly contacting the right customers or validating their customer data with accurate information.
Like Charles Morgan, Jeff Stalnaker, Co-Founder and President of First Orion, has a background in the tech industry in Arkansas, working as the CFO and later President of the Financial Services Division of Acxiom Corporation. Prior to joining Acxiom, Stalnaker was a senior analyst with the Arkansas Public Service Commission, responsible for testifying before the Commission on a variety of public utility issues, including the telecommunications industry.
"The spirit of innovation is alive in North Little Rock, and First Orion embodies our technological drive and ingenuity," said Joe Smith, Mayor of North Little Rock. "We believe the Argenta Plaza will be a community where big, brave ideas are given the chance to grow unfettered. First Orion is a shining example of our state's best and brightest creating technologies that make the world a better place.”
Earlier in 2017, First Orion introduced a free application called TPS Protect in the United Kingdom. The app provides an easier way to register their number for the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and quickly register complaints about nuisance or scam calls.
With the launch of TPS Protect in the United Kingdom, First Orion is indeed proving tech companies in Arkansas can successfully innovate and compete in the global marketplace.
