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 Aerospace & Defense industry is a significant contributor to Arkansas’ economy, employing nearly 10,000 people at 220 operations around the state, with exports totaling $1.8 billion in 2017.
Our team will continue to work with our valued partners in the industry to grow the sector in Arkansas by attending several industry events in 2020, including:
The Farnborough International Airshow is on July 20-24 in Farnborough, England. It is the second-largest trade exhibition for the aerospace and defense industries with over 80,000 visitors from 96 countries.
The NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition is on October 6-8 in Orlando, Florida. Nearly 25,000 industry professionals will attend the trade show, including manufacturing companies.
The Mid-America Aerospace & Defense Summit is on May 5-7 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Companies from surrounding states will discuss our region’s strong presence and growth potential for the industry.
The Aerospace & Defense sector attracts companies that continue to invest and grow operations here. Arkansas is home to key industry players like Lockheed Martin, Dassault Falcon Jet, and Aerojet Rocketdyne, as well as innovative, niche firms, like Galley Support Innovations and Ozark Integrated Circuits.
Along with business success, these companies have found support from our skilled workforce, industry associations, and state government. With growth projected for the industry, Arkansas is well-positioned to secure our foothold in the global market.
To support the industry’s presence in the state, a delegation from Arkansas attended the Paris Air Show in June 2019. Our team engaged industry leaders and promoted Arkansas as a leading destination for Aerospace & Defense companies and their employees. Leading our group was Governor Asa Hutchinson, who is a strong supporter of the Aerospace & Defense industry in Arkansas.
We look forward to another year of growth for the state’s Aerospace & Defense industry. Our team would love to connect with you at one of these events or set up a meeting to discuss growth opportunities for your company in Arkansas.
