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Invest in Arkansas
A short guide for companies expanding into Arkansas: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Arkansas at a glance
Population
3.11 million
The population was 3,114,791 as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 1, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$196 billion
GDP was US$195,988.2 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$62,922
GDP per person was US$62,921.8 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from BEA's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
0.9%
Real GDP growth was 0.9 percent in 2025, BEA's published percent change.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment, Arkansas’s limits on foreign ownership, the zones and other rules for investors, as the guide found them.
SelectUSA names the Arkansas Economic Development Commission as the state economic development organization for Arkansas.
Source: SelectUSA, state economic development organizations list (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Acts 636 of 2023 and 811 of 2025, effective August 1, 2023 and August 5, 2025, bar foreign-party-controlled businesses from acquiring Arkansas land and prohibited foreign parties from acquiring farmland.
Source: Bureau of Legislative Research, 2025 summary of general legislation (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 2 foreign-trade zones in Arkansas.
Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, annual report 2024, Appendix D (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
In October 2023 the Attorney General ordered a Chinese-owned company to divest its Craighead County farmland within two years and imposed a US$280,000 fine for a late filing.
Source: Division of Agriculture, foreign-ownership enforcement release, October 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 17, 2023
Show 5 more
Since Act 811 of 2025, a business 50 percent or more owned by prohibited foreign parties may not lease Arkansas land and has one year, not two, to divest.
Source: Arkansas General Assembly, Act 811 of 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 17, 2025
Act 811 of 2025 bars a prohibited foreign party from holding farmland within ten miles of critical infrastructure, such as a military installation or a dam.
Source: Arkansas General Assembly, Act 811 of 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 17, 2025
A prohibited foreign party is tied to a country listed in 22 C.F.R. 126.1 of the federal arms export rules, or is a State Department entity of particular concern.
Source: Arkansas General Assembly, Act 636 of 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 11, 2023
Act 636 of 2023 created an Office of Agricultural Intelligence in the Department of Agriculture, which reports agricultural land held in breach of the law to the Attorney General.
Source: Arkansas General Assembly, Act 636 of 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of April 11, 2023
Act 174 of 2024 bars prohibited foreign parties from holding any ownership interest in a digital asset mining business in Arkansas, effective May 3, 2024.
Source: Arkansas General Assembly, Act 174 of 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 3, 2024
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Arkansas
- Register a business formed outside Arkansas with the Secretary of State; start at its business services links for new businesses.Arkansas Secretary of StateUS$300 filing fee (paper filing)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Bureau of Legislative Research, tax handbook, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 1, 2026
- File Arkansas franchise taxes through the Secretary of State's franchise tax link, and confirm what applies to your entity type.Arkansas Secretary of StateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Arkansas Secretary of State, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Register for Arkansas business taxes through the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point, which the Internal Revenue Service's Arkansas page links.Arkansas Department of Finance and AdministrationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: IRS, Arkansas state links for businesses, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 25, 2026
- If the business will have employees, register with the Department of Workforce Services, which the same page links, and report new hires.Arkansas Division of Workforce ServicesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: IRS, Arkansas state links for businesses, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 25, 2026
Show 1 more set-up step
- Use the Small Business Administration's licenses and permits search tool, linked from the Arkansas page, to find state and local licenses.U.S. Small Business AdministrationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: IRS, Arkansas state links for businesses, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 25, 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with Secretary of State and SBA Arkansas District Office. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
State business filings office
Secretary of State
Arkansas Secretary of State
Files corporations' and limited liability companies' formation and registration documents, including a foreign company's application for a certificate of authority.
Visit Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)Source: Bureau of Legislative Research, tax handbook, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 1, 2026
- Get advice
Federal small business office
SBA Arkansas District Office
U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas District Office
Points new Arkansas businesses to the registration, licensing, tax and safety offices they contact, and to SBA loan programs and lenders in the district.
Visit SBA Arkansas District Office (opens in a new tab)Source: SBA, Arkansas District business guide, September 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 3, 2025
Show 3 more organizations
State workforce and unemployment agency
Workforce Services
Arkansas Division of Workforce Services
Runs the state's unemployment insurance program, which taxable employers fund through contributions.
- Get advice
Regional development and chamber group
Jefferson County Alliance
Jefferson County Economic Development Alliance
Works with federal, state and local partners to bring manufacturing investment to Pine Bluff and Jefferson County.
State waterway development commission
Waterways Commission
Arkansas Waterways Commission
Gives grants to port and intermodal authorities for port construction, rehabilitation and expansion projects.
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax and revenue department
DFA
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
Administers Arkansas's sales and use tax and corporate income tax through its Revenue Division.
Visit DFA (opens in a new tab)Source: Bureau of Legislative Research, tax handbook, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 1, 2026
- Meet requirements
Port authority
Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Port Authority
Develops the Harbor Industrial District at the Port of Pine Bluff and leases its public river terminal to a terminal operator.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
Little Rock Chamber
Little Rock Regional Chamber
Promotes the Little Rock region to companies looking to expand, including at trade shows abroad, and represents its members.
- Get advice
Statutory rice promotion board
Rice Board
Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board
Funds rice research and extension and rice market development and promotion from a per-bushel assessment on Arkansas rice.
Visit Rice Board (opens in a new tab)Source: Bureau of Legislative Research, tax handbook, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 1, 2026
Show 1 more organization
State farm organization
Farm Bureau
Arkansas Farm Bureau
Advocates for Arkansas farmers in public policy and publishes market data, legislative summaries and farm news for its member families.
Visit Farm Bureau (opens in a new tab)Source: Arkansas Farm Bureau, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Reserved sectors
Act 811 of 2025 bars businesses controlled by prohibited foreign parties from leasing Arkansas land and bars those parties from farmland within ten miles of critical infrastructure.
What to do: Check your owners against the act's definition before you buy or lease a site.
Sources: Arkansas General Assembly, Act 811 of 2025 (opens in a new tab); Bureau of Legislative Research, 2025 summary of general legislation (opens in a new tab) · as of August 5, 2025
Corporate tax rate
Arkansas cuts its top corporate income tax rate from 4.3 to 4.1 percent for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
What to do: Model your Arkansas tax at the rate for each tax year ahead.
Source: Bureau of Legislative Research, tax handbook, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 1, 2026
Digital asset mining ownership
Act 174 of 2024 bars prohibited foreign parties from any ownership interest in an Arkansas digital asset mining business, with 365 days to divest for businesses already operating.
What to do: Check your owners against the act's definition before you invest in digital asset mining.
Sources: Arkansas General Assembly, Act 174 of 2024 (opens in a new tab); Arkansas General Assembly, Act 173 of 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 3, 2024
Incentive claw-back
Act 881 of 2025 created a claw-back for businesses that receive state tax incentives but miss their annual payroll requirements.
What to do: Confirm the payroll terms of any incentive agreement before you sign it.
Source: Bureau of Legislative Research, tax handbook, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 1, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
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Promote:Arkansas is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 3, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.