Arkansas Manufacturing Loses Jobs And Plants

Arkansas has lost three percent of its manufacturing jobs and 104 plants in the last 12 months, according to a report by the Arkansas Manufacturers Register.

The state has lost over 7,500 jobs since October 2005 and over 25,000 jobs, or 9.7 percent, since October 2002, even though Arkansas has gained 235 plants, according to the report.

There are currently 4,344 manufacturing companies employing over 235,000 workers in the state. Arkansas ranks second in the southwest region for manufacturing jobs and 12 percent of the region’s industrial employment.