City and county officials gathered at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday (Sept. 9) to tout record-setting growth and to announce efforts to sustain the momentum.
The Little Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which covers Central Arkansas, reported 380,038 employed individuals, up 4,255 people from the 375,783 employed in July 2024. This total reflects nearly 40,000 more people working today than in January of 2020, according to leaders.
“The Little Rock region has a long track record of working together to provide the infrastructure to allow us to attract investment and create jobs. Throughout the last five years, our economy has grown rapidly, and with continued partnership, I am certain we will continue to have major announcements in the future,” said Chamber CEO Jay Chesshir.
Over the past five years, the region’s GDP percentage was 25.92%, topped only by Nashville, Tennessee in southern metro areas of comparison. Little Rock outpaced Kansas City, Birmingham and Memphis among other regional cities.
Little Rock’s construction permits during the first six months of the last three years has risen from $111,277,274 to $192,010,250 in 2025. Chamber leaders said more than 15,000 jobs and more than $5 billion in capital investments have been made regionally since 2020.
Bryan Day, executive director of the Little Rock Port Authority, discussed the successes in his massive industrial park, which include over a dozen new projects. He also noted that a new mega site in the port has the potential to land an economic project that could cause “generational change.”
It is over 930 acres. Our goal is to get 1,000 acres eventually,” said Day. “We’re beginning to market that to the world. And I do believe that we will see in the next two or three years a project that will be thousands of employees and billions of dollars, which will be really good for Little Rock.”
“But as I think I’ve mentioned in the past, with the right project, you’ll have supplier vendors follow suit – 15 or 20 supplier vendors. We don’t have room for them at the park, but you know who does? England, Lonoke, Pine Bluff, Benton, Bryant, Arkadelphia and Conway… It has the potential to be that once-in-a-lifetime catalyst for economic growth in central Arkansas.”
The Port of Little Rock has over 11,000 workers from a wide range of counties outside of Pulaski County. Chesshir said the port is much more inclusive than just the capital city.
“Isn’t it amazing today that we’re talking about a Port of Little Rock where people from 48 different counties in the state of Arkansas come to work? It’s not just Little Rock’s port. It’s not just central Arkansas’ port. It is a job creation port for the entire state of Arkansas,” he said.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. and Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde, who are active with economic development prospects, also bragged on the employment record and future potential.
“Little Rock leads the way in our state and region for job creation and economic development success. Fortune 500 leaders and local entrepreneurs alike embrace Little Rock’s multiple advantages, from prime real estate at the Port to a skilled and talented workforce,” said Scott. “Through innovation, collaboration, and transformation, we will build on our successes to achieve greater victories for our economy and our residents, making Arkansas’ capital city a true catalyst for the new South.”
“This milestone is a testament to what happens when local government, business, and community unite around a shared vision. Pulaski County is proud to help build an environment where opportunity thrives. By continuing to invest in infrastructure, workforce development, and innovation, we’re not just breaking record, we’re building a future where every resident can succeed,” said Hyde.
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