Arkansas is boasting one economic development win after another this year. JW Aluminum Company is expanding in Russellville. Whisper Creek Log Homes located in Mountain Home. HYD MECH Group opened a new manufacturing facility in Conway.and the list goes on.

Arizona's revival was clear when the state began wooing major Japanese automotive suppliers like Hino Motors, Denso Corp. and Eakas Corp last year. While Arkansas has staked its claim in the Southern Auto Corridor, the state is also proving that it is just as attractive to a diverse range of manufacturers, from food processors to aeronautics to technology, with a slew of relocation and expansion announcements - and more to come.

"Arkansas is getting more aggressive on the national and international scale," says Mitch Chandler, communications director for the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. "We can not only compete with other states but also with other countries, including India. We are proud that Arkansas is home to five Fortune 500 companies that were born and raised here, including the largest company in the world - Wal-Mart."