Economic Development
Great growth requires great soil.
A letter from our CEO...
When you are searching for a community to locate your business, there are several factors that both the developer and business owner are seeking. Much like when a scout with Major League Baseball is scouting the next big-league prospect, they are evaluating the five tools that MLB is looking for in a player. The scout hopes to find a player with two or three of the five tools, then they can hope to develop the fourth and fifth tool, to develop an MLB player. It is rare that a scout finds a player with all five tools. But, when they do it's a gem of a find.
That is what you have in the City of Bryant, a five-tool gem of a city that is primed and ready for business. Bryant boasts one of the healthiest climates for business in Arkansas, with commercial properties available along the 1-30 corridor and with the expansion of highway 5 from two lanes to five lanes. These areas represent some of the best commercial real estate available in Central Arkansas. The city's infrastructure is solid, public safety is among the best in the State, our parks and outdoor activities are superior, and the population growth continues to average 400 new residents per year.
The Bryant Chamber of Commerce is eager to help you locate your business to Bryant and we're poised to help you succeed. The Chamber's mission is to play a vital role in the overall growth of both commerce and community. We strive to build a network of businesses of all sizes and brands, where each business is a crucial part of Bryant's community. Bryant is open for business and we welcome you join our community!
Let's GO Bryant!
Table of Contents
Our origins
History
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After the Louisiana Purchase, earliest inhabitants from Europe settled along Hurricane Creek.
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Just north of present-day Bryant, Dogwood Springs settlement was founded in the early 1800s. In 1835, Dogwood Springs became known as Collegeville.
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On October 23, 1864, Federal and Confederate forces met in a minor engagement known as the Skirmish at Hurricane Creek.
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During the Reconstruction era, present-day Bryant benefited from the growth of infrastructure and in 1871, the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad began work on a line from Little Rock, which was completed in 1973.
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Many businesses opened around the Brant Train Depot and in 1878 the Bryan Township was created.
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The township continued to grow and on October 29, 1892, Bryant became an incorporated town.
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Bryant reincorporated as a first-class city in 1946 when its first mayor, Conway Ashley, was elected.
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During the Great Depression, Bryant (like many other towns) lost population and saw the closing of many stores and businesses.
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During World War II, bauxite deposits near Bryant became vital to the American war effort, creating a dramatic increase in Bryant’s population.
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Interstate 30 was built through Bryant during the 1950s. This created a new period of population growth that has continued to the present day.
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Today, the Bryant area is gaining a number of new retail facilities and restaurants as a result of recent growth. These include Lowe’s, Target, and Kohl’s, in addition to Chile’s, Ruby Tuesday, and Applebee’s.
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Beginning in 2000, Bryant’s competitive spirit shone with the creation of the Salt Bowl, held every fall. Bryant plays its rival, Benton High School, and this is the most well attended high school football game in Arkansas, with audiences reaching 20,000 people.
The numbers
Demographic Data
Population change since 2000: +120.2%
Population in 2022: 21,501 (96% urban, 4% rural).
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Population Change Since 2000: +120.2%
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Poverty Rate: 7.8% (Arkansas Avg is 16.08%)
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Mean House Prices: $218,499
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Media Gross Rent: $867
Male vs Female
Males: 9,708 (45.2%)
Females: 11,793 (54.8%)
Median Age
Arkansas: 38.9 years
Bryant: 37.1 years
Est. Median Household Income
Arkansas: $55,432
Bryant: $70,445
Est. median Home Value
Arkansas: $179,800
Bryant: $223,619
Cost of Living Index
Arkansas: 100
Bryant: 84
Moving forward
Infrastructure and Transportation
Federal funds were allocated in 2023 to include:
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A $25 million grant to reconstruct Highway 5, installing a shared-use path, continuous sidewalks, and other projects.
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Construction of approximately 3.6 miles of Old Stagecoach Road (also known as Highway 5), the installation of a shared-use path, the construction of continuous sidewalks, upgrading storm drainage, and carrying out necessary utility work.
By introducing new sidewalks and shared-use paths, commuters and other users will have active transportation options within the project area, promoting public health and reducing the crash rate in the underserved community of Bryant to below the statewide average.
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I-30, a major Interstate running southwest from Little Rock to Dallas/Ft. Worth, has three off/on exit ramps in Bryant: Bryant Parkway, Reynolds Road, and Alcoa Road.
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Rail service is available in south Bryant for transporting all manner of goods and products.
Moving forward
Commerce
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Commerce in Bryant has grown steadily during the past two decades. The Bryant School District is the largest employer in Bryant and is recognized as one of the best school districts in the state.
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Medical Services is a major industry in Bryant, including Saline Memorial Hospital with its Level III trauma center.
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The Arkansas Heart Hospital Encore opened in Bryant in 2020, offering a full-service emergency department and state-of-the-art full-service hospital.
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The City of Bryant has an estimated 345.00 acres of commercial space located in various areas along interstate 30 and state highway 5, that are zoned commercial, with available utilities and accesses
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Other major employers and businesses in the Bryant area include:
Walmart
Everett Auto Dealerships
Chic Fil A
The Home Depot
Lowe’s Home Improvement
Target
Logans Roadhouse
Edwards Food Giant
CVS Health
AutoZone
Burlington Stores
Walgreens
Kohl’s
Middleton Heat & Air
AT&T
R & N Hydraulics
Hibbett Sports
Primerica Financial Services
And so many more
Growth potential and stability
Economic Characteristics and Assets
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Bryant’s unemployment rate is 2.8% while the national average is 6%.
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Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 34.3% which is higher than the U.S. average of 33.5%
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The average income of a Bryant resident is $39,549 a year; the U.S. average is $37,638 a year.
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Bryant’s family median income is $89,861 per year while the U.S. family median income is $85,028
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A stable and diversified business community, as well as a high-demand real estate market, now makes Bryant a much sought-after community for families and entrepreneurs.
Bright futures
Education
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Bryant’s school district is in the top tier of school districts in Arkansas.
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The system includes eight elementary schools (Grades K-5), two middle schools (Grades 6-7) , Bryant Junior High School, and Bryant High School.
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Bryant High School received AP Honor Roll recognition in 2023.
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The High School also was awarded in 2023 Best Communities for Music Education from the NAMM Foundation.
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Bryant High experienced the highest graduation rate among Saline County schools and the highest graduation rate in Arkansas 7A schools.
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Bryant’s Superintendent won Arkansas Superintendent of the Year for 2023.
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Five of Bryant’s schools were recognized for growth and performance by the Arkansas School Recognition Program
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The Annual Salt Bowl, which pits Bryant High School against Benton High School, is the most well-attended high school football game in Arkansas with approximately 20,000 fans showing up each year.
Lifestyle
Secure citizens
Safety and Health
According to CrimeGrade.org, Bryant receives an A grade for lack of violent crimes, an A+ for property crimes, and an A- for other crimes in the city.
According to bestplaces.net, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 100 (high crime), Bryant’s violent crime is ranked 10.3 while the U.S. average is 22.7.
Bryant’s police department includes a K-9 division, a Patrol Division, a Public Information Office, a School Resource Officer, and a Training Division.
Health Services are readily available at these locations:
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Saline Memorial Hospital
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Baptist Health Urgent Care
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Arkansas Heart Hospital Encore
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HealthCARE Express Urgent Care Clinic
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Baptist Health Family Clinic
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Pinnacle Pointe Outpatient Behavioral Health Services
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Excel Health Urgent Care Clinic
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The Manor, Senior Assisted Living Apartments and Independent Living Cottages
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Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center
Looking ahead
Bryant's Future
A 25-Year Vision
Bryant has averaged 397.5 new residents year over year, spanning the past ten years. This has created a welcomed need for an increase in residential and commercial development with a targeted push in the retail and restaurant industries. Over the next twenty-five years the City of Bryant will have a focus on the following:
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Commercial expansion on the Northside of the community
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Commercial revitalization on the Southside of Boone Road
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Development in retail & restaurant, that gives the city a unique position
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Development of residential space for single & multifamily construction
APEX Project
Bryant is in the exploration phase for an “APEX” project that will catapult the community by enhancing sales tax revenue, increase the quality of life, and promote the city as a destination. The “APEX” project will have the following economic impacts upon the city:
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Increased annual sales tax revenue ranging between $500K - $750K
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Partnered projects that complements the “APEX” project’s mission
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Increase in shopping and restaurant use
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Increased hotel rentals
Commerce and Community is the mission of the Bryant Chamber of Commerce. The chamber strives to strengthen and grow the economic community by enhancing the viability of current businesses and to recruit new commerce opportunities that will amplify the quality of life, that will lead to a more vibrant community.
Acknowledgments: ArkansasOutside.com, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas, City of Bryant 2022 Budget Book, Envision Bryant 2030, Summary Report (Legacy Consulting), Bestplaces.net