From the Mississippi River lowlands to the Ozark Mountain highlands, Arkansas’s nickname, the Natural State, is well-deserved. In addition to its natural wonders, the state has produced some famous citizens including Douglas MacArthur and Johnny Cash.
Today, Arkansas is home to six Fortune 500 companies including one of the world’s top retailers: Walmart. Arkansas is also home to equipment manufacturers, paper product producers, and gas and oil companies. The agricultural sector in the state is known for its output of cattle, hogs, turkeys, cotton, rice, and catfish. With 52 state parks, Hot Springs National Park, and numerous other natural wonders, tourism also plays an important role in Arkansas.
Small businesses are crucial to the Arkansas economy since they make up almost 97% of all employers in the state and employ half of all private-sector workers. Small businesses engaging in retail trade are the most numerous in Arkansas followed by construction and health care. In all, Arkansas is home to 241,000 small businesses.1
When it comes to small businesses purchasing workers’ compensation insurance in Arkansas, auto service and repair shops are on the top of the list, followed by restaurants, hotels, college employers, grocery stores, physicians, and print shops.
Most businesses in Arkansas with three or more employees are required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage; however, there are exceptions to this requirement. Employers with less than three employees should consult a workers’ compensation insurance agent to make sure they are in compliance with the law.2
Interested in learning more about how EMPLOYERS can help your Arkansas business? Request a quote for workers’ compensation insurance from EMPLOYERS!
1 “Small Business profile, Arkansas,” SBA Office of Advocacy, February 2013, www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/ar12.pdf
2 “Basic Facts About Workers’ Compensation in Arkansas,” Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission, 2014, www.awcc.state.ar.us/employerbasicfacts.html
In Arkansas, insurance is offered through Employers Assurance Company and Employers Preferred Insurance Company. Not all insurers do business in all jurisdictions.