Overview and Outlook
This industry cluster is one of Metro Little Rock region’s greatest assets. Arkansas is known as “The Natural State.” Easy access to state and national parks, lakes and waterways is available to residents and visitors.
Hot Springs, bounded by a National Park, offers historic bathhouses, a spacious modern convention center, and airport access.
Hot Springs also is recognized as one of the better-known small arts cities in the U.S. and hosts a number of annual festivals, including the internationally-acclaimed Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. Other major attractions include thoroughbred horse racing at Oaklawn Park, Magic Springs & Crystal Falls Theme Park, Historic Bath House Row and Garvan Woodland Botanical Gardens.
Little Rock and the surrounding region is also a tourism destination. The downtown district has been rejuvenated with the Clinton Presidential Center, River Market and Heifer International World Headquarters.
These regional characteristics can be combined with healthcare services to attract retirees and businesses serving that growing segment of the population.
The Metro Little Rock region offers a wide range of opportunities for businesses in this industry cluster. These businesses depend on “hospitality” services and expertise including transportation, dining, hotel, entertainment and convention support services which are available and affordable in the region.
Site Selection Considerations
Sites and Infrastructure: Sites in the Metro Little Rock region are attractive to this cluster because of the region’s central location and access to large metropolitan areas within a day’s drive or short flight. The Metro region is at cross-roads of highways I-30 and I-40.
There are a variety of affordable and available sites that will accommodate businesses in this sector. Construction costs are some of the lowest in the U.S.
Workforce: Over 23,000 workers serve this industry cluster and the region trains new workers as the cluster expands. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock provides students with Workplace Skills Enhancement and Management Education programs that supply the businesses in this cluster.
Incentives: These include, but are not limited to, tax abatements, tax credits, worker training grants and programs and infrastructure improvements.
Valuable Regional Resources
The Metro Little Rock region’s solid base in this industry cluster is supported by resources that serve important niches and opportunities, including:
Existing Companies
Hot Springs National Park – www.nps.gov/hosp
Oaklawn Park – www.oaklawn.com
Magic Springs & Crystal Falls Theme Park – www.magicsprings.com
Historic Bath House Row
Garvin Botanical Gardens – www.garvangardens.org
Hot Springs Convention Center – www.hotsprings.org/convention_meeting_planner/convention_center
Pine Bluff Convention Center – www.pinebluffonline.com/conv/overview.html
Little Rock State House Convention Center – www.littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/statehouse/
Verizon Arena
Summit Arena – www.summitarena.org
Arkansas Governor’s Mansion – www.arkansasgovernorsmansion.com
State Capitol
Clinton Presidential Center – www.clintonfoundation.org
Heifer International – www.heifer.org