Folks searching for job opportunities and business owners looking to bring their companies into a vibrant economy can count on Metro Little Rock. The centrally located area boasts a low cost of doing business, a large, mobile workforce, affordable skilled workers, good value for wages, aggressive tax incentives, easy access to port, rail and interstate shipping routes, and so much more.

All of these things contribute to why Metro Little Rock was somewhat sheltered from the recession and why the area sees steady economic growth each year. In fact, in the midst of economic crisis in 2009, BusinessWeek named Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway the fourth strongest economy in the country, and that same year, a Brookings Institution study ranked Little Rock the seventh-strongest metropolitan economy in the country.

Two years later, that same Brookings Institution study ranked Little Rock the fourth strongest and Forbes included the area in its “Best Places for Business & Careers.”

This national recognition for stability and jobs continues to draw companies to Metro Little Rock in a variety of major industries — including manufacturing, bio-technical, financial services, food processing, information technology, logistics and distribution and nonprofit.

Acclimate to the area’s business scene a little faster with this cheat sheet on some of the area’s business heavyweights and job creators.

Dillard’s Inc. (Fortune 500) – Retail
Headquartered in Little Rock, Dillard’s is one of the country’s largest apparel, cosmetics and home furnishings retailers, with more than 300 retail locations in 29 states. And Dillard’s recently moved all online order fulfillment to a facility in Maumelle, creating many new jobs.

Stephens Inc. - Financial Services
Stephens is the largest investment bank off Wall Street; and while it has 27 offices across the country, downtown Little Rock is the privately held company’s home base.

Windstream (Fortune 500) – Telecommunications
Windstream is one of the largest providers of telecommunication services (phone, TV, internet) to rural communities, and its headquarters are located in west Little Rock.

Southwest Power Pool - Nonprofit/Energy
Headquartered in west Little Rock, SPP manages power grids that help deliver power to nine states in the region.

Acxiom Corporation - Data Processing
Acxiom develops some of the largest and most sophisticated business intelligence and marketing databases in the world. Its headquarters are in downtown Little Rock, with operations in Conway too.

LM Wind Power - Energy
This Denmark-based company is the world’s leading supplier of components and services in wind energy, with locations on four continents and a major plant in the Little Rock Port Authority.

Dassault Falcon Jet - Airplane Manufacturing
Dassault Falcon Jet is the region’s top manufacturing employer. While its operations at the Little Rock airport are already the French avionics company’s largest in the world, the company just announced plans for a $60 million, 250,000-SF expansion there.

Top Job Providers
The state’s top employers based in the region

Notable Developments
How they’re boosting the economy and enhancing livability in the region

Argenta Innovation Center: The 15,000-SF space will give entrepreneurs a place to nurture ideas and create new companies around technology and engineering. The center is the first phase of the planned Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. The project is driven by the innovation hub’s capital campaign committee, which is working to raise $2.5 million to purchase and renovate the building.

Big-Rock Interchange: The city’s east-west thoroughfare I-630 and its north-south complement I-430 are undergoing extensive work to better connect some of the city’s most populated and booming areas. Dubbed the Big Rock Interchange because of the surprise discovery of a large rock formation during construction, the $125 million project is expected to be complete in 2015.

Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport: Recently renamed in honor of the former presidential and Arkansas gubernatorial couple, Little Rock’s airport experienced record-high travel in 2012. Available airlines offer nonstop flights to several domestic destinations including Dallas, Washington, D.C. Las Vegas, Chicago and more.

Historic Mann Building: Redevelopment is ongoing at the $22 million Mann on Main project, located at the corner of Fourth and Main. It boasts 90,000 SF of office space, 8,000 SF of retail space and 30,000 SF for 19 apartments (Mann Lofts). This project is key to the revitalization of Main Street, as the Mann will employ hundreds of people who will frequent nearby businesses.

Rockwater Marina: The new marina space boasts amazing skyline views from the Arkansas River banks of North Little Rock. Upon completion, it will have 136 slips, 32 transient slips, pump out, fuel station, ship store, restroom/shower area, large patio, and concierge service.

Arcade Building: The $17 million, 60,000-SF building is set to be completed by the end of 2013. It will feature retail, dining and office space, as well as a 350-seat theater in the heart of the River Market District. The theater will be home to the Little Rock Film Festival. A sky bridge will cross the alley between the Arkansas Studies Institute and Central Arkansas Library System’s new archives inside the Arcade.

New Technology Park: A committee formed by the City of Little Rock is developing plans for a 30-acre technology park aimed at serving as a research and development flagship for the region. Groundbreaking is expected to begin in the near future. Once complete, the city estimates the park could employ 2,500 and generate $262 million per year.

(Source: ArkansasBusiness.com)

Once you’ve nailed down your new Metro Little Rock address, be sure to subscribe to Arkansas Business, the state’s No. 1 source for local business news and updates on important developments like these. Visit www.ABPG.com/Store to order a copy or subscribe today.