Our team at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission is gearing up to attend the 2020 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Governor Asa Hutchinson will be  leading the Arkansas delegation to the show for the fifth consecutive year. His leadership indicates how important the Firearms & Ammunition industry is to the state of Arkansas.

Arkansas is the perfect fit for manufacturers in the firearms industry.  We were listed as the 2nd most gun-friendly state by Forbes. Arkansas is a top 10 state in guns per capita, and our legislature passed 15 pro-gun bills into law during the last three sessions.

Firearms & Ammunition companies in Arkansas benefit from a thriving culture of outdoor recreation in Arkansas. Ducks Unlimited ranked Arkansas as a top ten destination for hunting waterfowl. Many Arkansans and visitors take advantage of the hunting opportunities available throughout the state.

Arkansas actively pursues and welcomes expansion from growing Firearms & Ammunition companies. The map below depicts several of the Firearms & Ammunition companies thriving in the state.  

A few of the recent industry expansions in Arkansas include:

• In 2019, CZ-USA announced plans to move its headquarters and production to Little Rock. This expansion will create 565 jobs with a $90 million capital investment over a six-year period.
• In 2018, Sig Sauer relocated a manufacturing facility to Jacksonville that resulted in the creation of 77 new jobs and a $22 million capital investment.
• In 2017, GAMO Outdoor USA announced an $8.1 million capital investment for a new manufacturing facility in Rogers that added 88 jobs.
• Later that year, American Marksman announced a $600,000 capital investment for a new manufacturing facility in Searcy that created 71 new jobs.

As we anticipate continued growth in the Firearms & Ammunition industry, our team is excited to share the good news about Arkansas at the 2020 SHOT Show.

CONNECT WITH ME AT THE 2020 SHOT SHOW

Blog post contributed by:      Clint O'Neal      Executive Vice President of Global Business      Arkansas Economic Development Commission      Email