By the Arkansas Black Vitality Staff

LITTLE ROCK – July 30, 2026 – One week after the state’s labor pool recorded its highest employment levels and total number of workers, Mayor Frank Scott and the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce lauded similar workforce growth across the Central Arkansas metropolitan service area.

According to the latest Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), total civilian employment in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway MSA surged past 385,000, accompanied by a robust total labor force that topped 400,000 for the first time at 401,600 in the regional labor pool.

The data reflects unprecedented regional economic momentum, low unemployment, and steady expansion across key industrial, commercial, and professional sectors, local chamber and city officials said.

In a news release, Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said the landmark employment figures build on a growing series of national accolades highlighting Little Rock as a premier destination for business expansion, talent attraction, and long-term economic resilience.

“There is no question that Little Rock stands alone as a regional leader and economic driver as we shatter employment records year after year and bring new, quality jobs to Arkansas’s capital city,” Mayor Scott said. “Our strong regional economy stands out because of the strong collaboration among our economic development leaders, business community, and so many others who work tirelessly to recruit new employers, retain the jobs we have, and build a diverse and economically resilient Little Rock.”

Scott noted that Little Rock’s economic momentum is being recognized by leading organizations and newsmakers. Last week, LinkedIn ranked Little Rock 20th among the Top 25 cities on the rise.

In a note highlighting Little Rock’s recent economic surge, the LinkedIn survey stated that “Arkansas’ capital is the state’s economic center, with a base spanning healthcare, manufacturing and logistics — driven by major employers including University of Arkansas Medical Sciences and Dillard’s. Beyond its corporate base, the metro is deepening its role in global supply chains through new investment at the Port of Little Rock, while a wave of downtown development is reshaping the city’s appeal.”

Additionally, Little Rock was identified as one of the South’s fastest-growing economies in an evaluation of neighboring state capital cities and peer regional markets. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Little Rock metro ranks second behind Nashville, Tenn., in five-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth percentage when compared to cities such as Kansas City, Birmingham, Ala., Memphis, Jackson, Miss., Montgomery, Ala., Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Okla., and Baton Rouge, La., Peer regions were selected based on demographic and economic characteristics, location, and evidence of competition with Little Rock for business or talent.

Forbes, Livability, Southern Living, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, and others have highlighted Little Rock for its job growth, affordability, and quality of life. Driven by career opportunities and lifestyle amenities, net in-migration has become the primary engine of demographic growth in the Little Rock MSA, as an influx of young professionals in their late 20s and 30s relocates to the Little Rock metro to build careers, start families, and enjoy the region’s outdoors and urban energy, said Scott

“We are seeing growth at the Port of Little Rock, where river, rail, road, and runway intersect to create major logistical advantages for manufacturers. We are growing Downtown, which has benefited from more than $500 million in capital investment and much more to come. Our healthcare centers continue to expand, innovate, and lead,” said the city’s first Black mayor.

“In every economic sector, we are focused on workforce development, growth, and resilience. With this kind of teamwork and momentum, we will keep breaking employment records year after year.”

Scott continued: “This type of national recognition is becoming commonplace as stakeholders like the Little Rock Regional Chamber, Port of Little Rock, Clinton National Airport, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and regional utility and community partners work together to recruit employers. Year after year, we are setting records for total workforce employment, and the best is still yet to come.”

Regional and statewide job growth; Northwest Arkansas among best in the U.S.

Meanwhile, regional growth, which includes North Little Rock and Conway, has also been particularly pronounced in manufacturing, logistics, tech-adjacent industries, and trade, supported by ongoing infrastructure upgrades, public park investments, and forward-looking economic development policy.

“The Little Rock region has a long track record of working together to provide the infrastructure that allows us to attract investment and create high-quality jobs,” said Jay Chesshir, President and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber. “Our economy has grown rapidly and through continued collaboration across the private and public sectors, we are building an environment where companies can flourish, scale, and provide extraordinary opportunities for the people of metro Little Rock.”

As the metro area continues to break employment thresholds, city and regional economic leaders remain focused on sustainable growth, workforce development pipelines, and infrastructure investments to ensure the Little Rock region remains a competitive hub for corporate investment and top-tier talent.

The economic growth in Central Arkansas is not unprecedented. Last week, the Arkansas Department of Commerce, in conjunction with the BLS, reported that the state’s civilian labor force and employment remain at record-high levels. Currently, there are 1,457,656 workers in Arkansas’s labor force, while the state’s unemployment rate stood at 4.1%.

Additionally, the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ranked third-highest in the US for year-over-year growth in nonfarm payroll jobs, up 2.9% since June 2025.

Through June, Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased by 1,919, and employment rose by 2,830. Currently, Arkansas’ labor force participation rate is 59.2%, and there are 23,603 more employed across the state compared to a year ago.