Arkansas’ principal industries are agriculture, business services, forestry, manufacturing, tourism, and transportation logistics. Additional interesting sectors include aerospace and aviation, biosciences, data, distribution and logistics services, firearms and ammunition, healthcare, paper and timber products, smart grid technologies, software development, data management services, and steel production.
The startup scene in Arkansas is booming. A strong talent pool, a growing number of incubators and accelerator programs, and available funding and incentives have created a welcoming environment for entrepreneurs of all types.
1,500 jobs in 10 days
November 01, 2019Over the course of 10 days in October, Arkansas added 1,500 jobs across the state with hundreds of millions of dollars invested from DXC Technology, Nucor Steel, HMS Manufacturing Co., and Hefei Risever.
October 22
DXC Technology announced it will expand its IT operation in Conway and create 1,200 jobs over the next three years. This expansion will increase the DXC Technology payroll to 1,600 in Conway. Read the press release.
October 23
Almost two years after announcing the $20.5 million investment, Risever cut the ribbon on its new heavy equipment parts manufacturing facility in Jonesboro. The expansion will create 130 jobs over the next five years. Read the press release.
October 25
Nucor Steel Arkansas held a ribbon-cutting for its new $230 million specialty cold mill complex in Benton County. The company hired 100 new workers that will help Nucor expand its share of the automotive steel market. Read the press release.
October 30
HMS Manufacturing announced it will open a new 550,000 square foot injection molding facility at the Port of Little Rock, allowing the company to expand their manufacturing capabilities. The company expects to create 90 new jobs within two years. Read the press release.
Janet Sofy, President of HMS Manufacturing credited the partnerships formed at the state and local levels for the company’s expansion to Arkansas. Companies are expanding in Arkansas because we are invested in building relationships that bring positive growth throughout the state.
This has been a great month for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. As the Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston said, “Stay tuned. We have a lot more in the pipeline, and a lot more announcements.”
