6 Reasons Athletes and Athlete Business Enterprises Should Compete in Arkansas’s $6.7 Billion Economy

‍Why Arkansas’s growing industries create opportunities for athletes, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Arkansas is attracting major investments. According to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), the state announced 32 projects representing $6.7 billion in planned investments and 3,953 projected jobs in 2025.

For athletes and Athlete Business Enterprises (ABEs), this growth creates opportunities beyond sports.

1. Billions in Infrastructure Investments

Companies including Google, Amazon, Green Bay Packaging, and L3Harris are expanding Arkansas operations, creating potential demand for construction, technology, transportation, and industrial services.

Opportunity: Athletes can pursue careers and contracts supporting these investments.

2. Athletic Skills Translate Into Workforce Skills

Sports develop discipline, leadership, teamwork, resilience, and communication—qualities employers value.

Opportunity: Athletes Make The Best™ helps participants connect athletic performance with education, career readiness, and industry opportunities.

3. Six Industries Need Workers and Suppliers

Athlete Business Enterprises can pursue opportunities across Arkansas’s growth industries:

• Energy: Electrical, transmission, and safety supplies.
• Manufacturing: Fabrication, equipment, and materials.
• Technology: Data centers, AI, and telecommunications.
• Defense: Manufacturing, components, and subcontracting.
• Logistics: Transportation, warehousing, and distribution.
• Film + TV: Production crews, locations, equipment, and hospitality.

Opportunity: Build qualified athlete-owned businesses competing for workforce and supplier contracts.

4. Arkansas Supports Entrepreneurship

AEDC reported funding 11 accelerator programs in fiscal 2025, supporting innovation, supply chains, technology, and business development.

Opportunity: Athletes can explore mentorship, business training, and entrepreneurial resources.

5. Investors Should Invest in Athletes

Athletes bring competitive discipline, leadership, community relationships, and potential brand recognition.

Investors can provide capital, equipment financing, mentorship, and procurement connections to help promising athlete-led companies grow.

Opportunity: Support businesses with qualified leadership, demonstrated demand, and scalable operations.

6. Sports Power Infrastructure Connects Talent With Investment

Sports Power Infrastructure™ connects athletes and ABEs with workforce development, supplier opportunities, and community investment.

Through Athletes Make The Best™ Top 100 Arkansas, student-athletes gain exposure to industries shaping their economic future.

Opportunity: Help companies hire locally, buy locally, and invest locally while developing the next generation of workers and entrepreneurs.

Arkansas Is Investing. Athletes Should Compete.

Arkansas’s growth creates opportunities for athletes to become employees, contractors, suppliers, and business owners.

For investors, the next great entrepreneur may already be on the playing field.

Play The Game. Power Your Future.

Explore Sports Power Infrastructure Arkansas

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