In Arkansas, we know that something special is happening. There’s economic momentum building in all four corners of our state as companies locate new facilities here, expand existing operations, and create new jobs. It’s an exciting time in the Natural State, and this momentum is just getting started.
Arkansas is beginning to attract national attention for its recent wins and economic growth. Each year, CNBC releases a ranking of the top states for doing business, and for 2026, Arkansas was named the most improved state in the nation.
This is not an isolated ranking. Just one example — the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) recently named Arkansas as the no. 6 state for best economic outlook in its 2026 “Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer Economic Competitiveness Index.”
These rankings are the result of a strategic and coordinated effort to make Arkansas even friendlier for businesses by cutting taxes, strengthening our workforce, streamlining our permitting processes, and investing in infrastructure.
Under Governor Sanders’ leadership, the Arkansas General Assembly has cut taxes four times since 2023, lowering the tax burden by 25 percent. We have passed a significant economic development legislative package called IMPACT, which is having a transformational effect on our state — enabling utilities to make strategic investments to support our electric grid, creating specialized incentives for modernization and for the lithium industry, reforming our small business and entrepreneurship programs, and much more. Governor Sanders also signed an executive order to speed permitting processes in state government, and IMPACT has helped lower permitting for energy projects from 12-18 months to six months.
We have invested in workforce development around the state, collaborating with industry and educational partners to build a talent pipeline made for employers. Employment is rising around the state with the size of our labor force and employment at record levels as of June 2026. More people are moving to Arkansas per capita than any other state in America for the last two years in a row according to Atlas Van Lines. That’s because there is economic opportunity in Arkansas, along with four seasons, a great quality of life, some of the lowest costs of living and — not to be overlooked — common sense government policies that work to put more of the paycheck you earn back in your pocket.
Arkansans can find great jobs because companies are growing around the state. In only the past several months, we’ve seen new facilities or expansions in Blytheville, Conway, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Heber Springs, Little Rock, Melbourne, North Little Rock, Osceola, and West Memphis. Arkansas has become a leader in the aerospace and defense, food and beverage, firearms and ammunition, timber, and steel industries with a growing lithium industry in the southwestern corner of the state. There’s so much economic activity, fueling more investments from major companies like U.S. Steel, L3Harris, Google, Hanwha, and many more.
All of this activity — from our legislative efforts to companies’ expansions to the increased employment — has created an environment that encourages more growth. It’s a tide that lifts all boats, and we are excited to see this recognized on the national stage. This CNBC ranking is not the end goal — we are not satisfied with being “most improved.” We are committed to being the best state for business and for living and raising a family in the nation. We will continue to build on our economic momentum.
However, at the end of the day, rankings like the CNBC study are only numbers. What truly matters is that companies are thriving and Arkansans have more employment opportunities than ever before. No matter what the rankings say, Arkansas will continue to move forward, helping our businesses and our citizens thrive. Come and check us out!
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