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.
Intimidator Group, Batesville: Responded to the pandemic with creative operations and sales tactics.
KT Produce, Lowell: Pivoted to sell fresh produce directly to consumers.
Women's Foundation of Arkansas, Little Rock: Providing six $5,000 grants to women-owned small businesses in Arkansas.
Movista, Bentonville: Filling the need for workforce health monitoring.
TY Garments, Little Rock: Dedicated to making and donating PPE to those who need it most.
Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, Statewide: Developed interactive tool designed to give insight into Arkansas hospitals’ bed capacity.
Hytrol, Jonesboro: Company takes care of employees, suppliers, and community.
Colson Group, Jonesboro: Medical equipment casters manufacturer rises to meet demand.
Ellis Fin Works & Machine, Benton: Company creates brass alloy Safe Touch Key to avoid touching doors, elevator buttons, and more.
Lexicon Fabricators and Constructors, Little Rock: Employees pivot to produce a new aluminum bracket for face shields.
Americo Vinyl & Fabric, West Memphis: Employees shift gears to produce cotton face masks and isolation gowns for local hospitals.
Pine Bluff Arsenal, Pine Bluff: Produced face masks to protect military personnel, Civilian employees, contractors, and all other individuals on DoD property.
Triumph Group, Hot Springs: Aerospace/Defense company will manufacture medical face masks.
Young Investment Company, Jonesboro: Property owner forgiving rent payment from restaurant tenants in April.
Pernod Ricard, Ft. Smith: Distillery producing hand sanitizer.
Rock Town Distillery, Little Rock: Distillery producing hand sanitizer.
Arkansas Community Foundation, Statewide: Created the COVID-19 Relief Fund to direct resources to Arkansas nonprofits disproportionately affected by the coronavirus and its economic fallout.
George's Inc, Springdale: Company will temporarily raise hourly pay for 7,300 employees as an "appreciation bonus" for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tyson, Springdale: Committing $13 million to support critical needs in local communities in the company’s operations footprint.
JB Hunt / Walmart, NWA: Both companies scheduled one-time bonuses for employees on the front lines of the outbreak.
