Promote:
Find public support
The organizations that help companies export from and invest in Arkansas, grouped by what you need. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
1. Where to start
AEDC, Secretary of State and SBA Arkansas District Office: the guide’s first stops, of the 16 organizations below.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- Get advice
State economic development agency
AEDC
Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Runs the state's business incentive programs and a Global Business group, whose Global Business Initiatives line spent US$769,369 in fiscal 2026.
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
2. Export development and market information
1 organization. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Get advice
State economic development agency
AEDC
Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Runs the state's business incentive programs and a Global Business group, whose Global Business Initiatives line spent US$769,369 in fiscal 2026.
3. Investment and business setup
5 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
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
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.
4. Customs and tax
2 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- 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.
5. Standards and sector requirements
5 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
University agriculture and extension division
Division of Agriculture
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Trains Arkansas fruit and vegetable growers in the federal Produce Safety Rule and runs the state's extension service.
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
Department of Agriculture
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Licenses pesticide, feed, fertilizer, seed and nursery businesses and issues phytosanitary certificates for plant exports through the State Plant Board.
- Meet requirements
State insurance regulator
Insurance Department
Arkansas Insurance Department
Licenses and regulates insurers, agents and brokers in Arkansas for solvency and market conduct.
- Meet requirements
State banking regulator
State Bank Department
Arkansas State Bank Department
Examines and regulates state-chartered banks, bank holding companies and trust companies.
Manufacturing extension partnership
AMS
Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions
Gives manufacturers hands-on business and technical assistance in innovation, operational excellence, sustainability and leadership development.
6. Chambers and industry associations
3 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- 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
- 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.
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
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Arkansas project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Free to start. No card required.
Already have an account? Sign in
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.