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Conway, AR

Industry & Technology

Conway and Faulkner County have a unique blend of traditional and high-tech businesses. In its early days, Conway’s economy was driven by agriculture and educational institutions. After World War II, the economy began to diversify and grew less dependent on these industries. The area’s economy got a big boost when several state agencies — the State Office of Emergency Services, the Conway Human Development Center and the Arkansas Educational Television Network — located in the city.

Today, as technology has become so vital to everyday life and business, Conway is very proud to be home to Acxiom Corporation. Acxiom, a $1 billion technology company, is involved in the complex field of customer data integration. Acxiom currently employs 1,600 people from all over central Arkansas and has national and international clientele. Area leaders are very active in recruiting more technology companies like Acxiom to the region.

Conway’s central location is within a 500-mile radius of many major metropolitan markets, making it ideal for an efficient transportation network.

Located at the intersection of Interstate 40 and U.S. Highways 64 and 65, the city has easy access to all major routes for shipping and transportation. Rail transportation is provided by Union Pacific, while several motor freight carriers service the area.

The Dennis F. Cantrell Field provides the nearest commercial air service. The airport has a lighted runway measuring 4,875 feet and offers an instrument landing system.

Conway’s diverse group of manufacturers includes Acxiom (information services), International Paper (Fortune 500/Most Admired), Virco Manufacturing (commercial and educational furniture), IC Corporation (bus manufacturing), Tokusen (high-quality specialty wire and tire cord), Conway-Mills Kimberly-Clark (feminine hygiene products), Rock-Tenn (packaging and paperboard products), and Snap-on Tools (professional tool and equipment solutions).

Farming is also vital to the economy. Faulkner ranks among the top counties in the state in livestock farming. One of the best livestock markets in the state is located in Conway and attracts buyers and sellers from a wide segment of Arkansas.

Conway has long been known as the “City of Colleges” and is home to three institutions of higher learning. These schools not only help to boost the economy, but they enhance the quality of living through the cultural and recreational opportunities they bring to the community.

Since the opening of Conway Commons mall, the city has become a major retail center for all of North-Central Arkansas. This 650,000-square-foot mall that offers large department store anchors and trendy specialty shops draws shoppers from a wide area. Other retail activity is clustered along Interstate 40, while downtown Conway is still the best place to find high-end specialty items. There is also a variety of neighborhood shopping centers scattered throughout the city.

As the official “Gateway to the Ozarks,” with a convenient location on Interstate 40, tourism for the city and county continues to grow each year. One of Conway’s largest tourist draws is the annual Toad Suck Festival held each year in May. Visitors to the festival come from around the country and beyond.

Conway Development Corporation
Conway enjoys a diversity of businesses and industries while offering a collaborative network of professional organizations eager to promote economic and community development. Center stage in this network is the Conway Development Corporation (CDC). This entity is responsible for the growth and development of the economy of Conway and Faulkner County though industrial/business recruitment and support. The CDC offers many types of helpful services and has a commitment to economic partnership. Through this partnership, firms considering Conway will find a pro-business environment in which to develop, expand and grow.

The Conway Development Corporation has been very busy the past 10 years in both the recruitment and retention of business and industry. Some of the economic-development highlights over the past decade include Acxiom’s addition of two new buildings at their Conway campus; Virco’s new 1.3 million-square-foot manufacturing/distribution facility; major expansions at TOKUSEN, USA; and the construction of the Conway Commons shopping center.

In the past five years, the CDC has acquired more than 900 acres of business and industrial property for future growth, led the effort to relocate Conway’s airport, and helped start the Conway Downtown Partnership.

Showing its commitment to economic development for the City of Conway, the CDC has constructed a new state-of-the-art economic-development center that serves as the organization’s headquarters. The facility is made possible by a donation from the Robert D. and Barbara Nabholz Trust (a local and statewide economic-development champion).

The building is located in downtown Conway at 900 Oak Street, a northern addition to the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. The center features a state-of-the-art board room/presentation facility and serves as the meeting place for recruits who are considering Conway as a location for new industry and business. Interior-design services for the new structure were provided by George Andersen Associates, Inc. of Conway, whose clients have included the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and the Carlyle Hotel in New York City, as well as the White House.

Financial Incentives
The State of Arkansas Department of Economic Development offers a wide range of incentives for businesses interested in relocating to the state. The CDC and the City of Conway determine local incentives on a case-by-case basis. Those incentives can include reduction on land, industrial revenue bond financing, property tax abatement and cash grants.