LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A new report from Metroplan shows central Arkansas continues to outperform the nation economically, though growth is beginning to slow.
“The Central Arkansas Economy in 2026” highlights economic trends across Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metro area, showing job growth of 1 percent over the past year, well ahead of the national rate of 0.1%.
While hiring has cooled from previous highs, the region continues to outperform much of the country. Unemployment saw a temporary increase in 2025, partly due to the closure of the Amazon facility, affecting thousands of jobs. However, the report shows those numbers are already trending downward, signaling recovery…