Arkansas River Valley Manufacturing
The Arkansas River Valley Region offers a solid foundation for manufacturing success. With a growing workforce, multimodal transportation infrastructure, cost-effective utilities, and a business-friendly environment, the region is rapidly becoming a destination of choice for manufacturers looking to expand, relocate, and thrive in Arkansas and the southern United States.
Regional Advantages for Manufacturers
Young, Expanding Population
The Arkansas River Valley boasts a rapidly growing population that is younger than both the state and national averages, offering manufacturers access to a sustainable and skilled labor pipeline.
Large and Growing Workforce
Employers benefit from access to a robust workforce with strong experience in industrial, manufacturing, and skilled trade sectors.
Established Employer Base
The success of leading manufacturers across the region is a testament to the Arkansas River Valley’s business climate, operational advantages, and community support.
Seamless Transportation Access
Manufacturers can easily reach national and international markets via major highways, rail lines, river ports, and regional airports, supporting efficient supply chain logistics.
Affordable and Reliable Utilities
The region offers high-quality, competitively priced utilities, enabling businesses to operate more efficiently while managing costs
Targeted Manufacturing Sectors
Aerospace Manufacturing
Neighboring the Arkansas River Valley, the Little Rock MSA has emerged as one of the nation’s top areas for the aerospace industry and is one of Arkansas’ targeted industry segments. This emergence is the result of many factors, including:
- The Little Rock Air Force Base provides a source of labor from retired service members with aircraft experience
- Funding from the Department of Defense for aerospace technology research and development
Food Processing and Manufacturing
The Arkansas River Valley’s abundant natural resources, strong agricultural base, and efficient transportation network make it a top location for food production, processing, and distribution companies.
Advanced Manufacturing
Since manufacturing is one of the target industries in the Arkansas River Valley region, several incentives are available to manufacturers. Those incentives, combined with the lower cost of labor, make the region a smart choice for manufacturing businesses
Metals Manufacturing
The Arkansas River Valley region offers metal manufacturers:
- The availability of a hardworking, trained labor force and the affordable cost of employing those workers.
- High-quality, competitively priced power
- Pro-manufacturing business climate
- Regionally available workforce development programs
- Transportation assets, including rail and port
Build Your Future in the Arkansas River Valley
With competitive advantages across workforce, transportation, utilities, and targeted industry support, the Arkansas River Valley is a smart and strategic choice for manufacturers
