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CEO Guide to Site Selection

Arkansas

A GROWING FUTURE OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT

Arkansas continues to build a solid future in manufacturing as homegrown tech companies announce new expansions. Little Rock-based education technology company Apptegy announced more than 300 new jobs. Arkana Laboratories also announced a $30 million expansion and 74 new jobs in the next five years in Little Rock. The state also continues to attract new foreign investment. Irish healthcare communications company RelateCare and Italian ammunition company Fiocchi recently announced major investments here. Anthony Acitelli, Fiocchi of America president and CEO, credited the decision to “strong ties with the state” and a “highly experienced and energetic labor force.”
“Arkansas’ economy is booming and with that comes new facilities, businesses, homes–and the manufacturing jobs that supply them all.”
Sarah Huckabee
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2010 and 2020

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the state and local officials of Arkansas for their unwavering support throughout our location decision-making process. Now firmly rooted in this community, we’re eager to invest in and nurture the exceptional talent of Arkansas."
Daniel RoddPresident, DriveSmart Auto Care
“The Hybar project was a team effort involving state, regional and local government leadership, our management team, and many others to get to today’s announcement. I have been involved in several greenfield and expansion steel industry projects in Arkansas over the past eight years, and I know firsthand what a business-oriented, can-do state Arkansas is. Many thanks to Governor Sanders and her team."
Dave SticklerCEO, Hybar
“Importantly, this strategic location is convenient for our supplier partners and close to several key customers. We are looking forward to a long partnership with the city of North Little Rock and the state of Arkansas. With their help, and the talent available to us within a mile of downtown Little Rock, this specialized operation will quickly emerge as the most advanced of its kind in the world."
Peter NaguskyPresident and CEO, Federal Metal
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KEY INCENTIVES

Advantage Arkansas: Offers a state income tax credit for the creation of jobs based on the payroll of new, full- time, permanent employees hired.

Tax Back: Provides sales and use tax refunds on the purchase of building materials, machinery and equipment to eligible businesses.

ArkPlus: A state income tax credit program that provides tax credits of 10% of the total investment in a new location or expansion project.

Equity Investment Incentive Program: Discretionary income tax credit of up to 33.3% of amount invested for technology-based businesses offering wages above state or county averages.

EDCs

Arkansas Economic Development Commission
arkansasedc.com

Association of Arkansas Development Organizations

arkansaseconomicregions.org

Little Rock Regional Chamber

littlerockchamber.com/economic-development

Fort Smith Regional Alliance

fortsmithregionalalliance.com

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

In July 2023, The Arkansas Economic Development Commission announced that is expanding its focus on small business and entrepreneurship by restructuring its Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division. The new division focuses on entrepreneurial ecosystem support, science and technology and minority and women-owned businesses.

BIG DEALS

  • Astara Capital Partners opened the Camden Timbers sawmill in February 2023 and created 50 jobs.
  • Cypress Cold Storage broke ground in April 2023 on anew facility and created 50 jobs in Springdale.
  • Westrock Coffee announced in June 2023 an expansion in Conway that will create 600 jobs over the next five years.
  • Dollar General announced in August 2023 a $140million distribution center and nearly 300 new jobs in North Little Rock.
  • Hybar, LLC announced in August 2023 a $700 million project that will create 140 jobs.
  • DriveSmart announced in September 2023 it would lo-cate its new call delivery facility in Newport, a move that is expected to create 200 jobs over the next three years

BIG COMPANIES

Walmart (Fortune 500 headquarters)

Tyson Foods (Fortune 500 headquarters)

Murphy USA (Fortune 500 headquarters)

J.B. Hunt Transport Services (Fortune 500 headquarters)

Dillard’s

J.B. Hunt

ArcBest

Windstream Holdings

Chief Executive Group

CONTACT US

Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.