Agriculture: 1/4 of Arkansas's economy is tied or related to agriculture. Arkansas's agriculture economy is largely based on rice (Arkansas produces 46% of the nation's rice supply), cotton, soybeans, and tomatoes. The rice industry is of high interest to Arkansas farmers, especially on the eastern side. 40 of the 75 counties grow rice and over 1 million acres of rice are harvested every year.
|
Manufacturing: Arkansas's manufacturing economy is based on food products, chemicals, lumber, paper goods, electrical equipment, furniture, automobile and airplane parts, and machinery. Arkansas is the leading producer of poultry, raising over 1 billion chickens every year. Tyson, the largest poultry producer and processor, is located in Springdale, AR. 25,000 thousand people are currently employed in the forestry industry making Arkansas the fourth largest lumber/timber manufacturer in the country. The aerospace industry has boomed in recent years adding $1.8 billion and 10,000 jobs to the economy.
|
Service and Retail: Most of Arkansas's service industries are located in their big metropolitan areas: Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Springdale, Conway, Rogers, and Hot Springs. Wholesale and retail stores are a major part of the economy with popular stores like Walmart and Dillard's being stationed there.
Natural gas: Natural gas is Arkansas's most important asset. In northwestern Arkansas, natural gas is mined and in the southern parts of Arkansas petroleum is mined, making it one of the biggest petroleum and natural gas states. Arkansas is also the leading bauxite producer. The biggest accumulations of natural gas are in the Arkoma basin and southern Arkansas oil fields