LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Sept. 9, 2025) – Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. was joined by Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde, President and CEO of Little Rock Regional Chamber Jay Chesshir and Executive Director of the Little Rock Port Authority Bryan Day and other community leaders to announce that the Little Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) again reached unprecedented employment levels, setting a new record for the number of people employed across the Little Rock region (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).
“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 Mayor Scott. “Through innovation, collaboration, and transformation, we will build on our successes to achieve greater victories for our economy and our residents, making Arkansas’s capital city a true catalyst for the new South.”
The July jobs report for the region 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 (January 2020: 342,231).
“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 Judge Hyde.
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, TN in five-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth percentage when compared to cities such as Nashville, Kansas City, Birmingham, Memphis, Jackson (MS), Montgomery, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Baton Rouge. Peer regions were selected based on demographic and economic characteristics, location, evidence of competition with Little Rock for business or talent.
“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 Chesshir.
Through strategic investment from the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, the State of Arkansas, and federal agencies, the Port of Little Rock has achieved historic success in recent years. With many new factories announced and under construction, the Port is now marketing its 875 acre certified mega site.
“The Port is proud to announce that we have surpassed more than 11,000 workers at the industries in our 5,000-acre industrial park,” said Day. “We look forward to marketing our Mega Site that will undoubtedly lead to more rapid economic growth for Little Rock and the surrounding region.”