Local Employment Total Reflects Year-Over-Year Dip

by Talk Business & Politics ([email protected]) 89 views 

Employment at Northwest Arkansas’ architectural and engineering firms has fallen below 1,200, according to data gathered in compiling the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s annual industry list that begins on p. 10.

While area firms responding to requests for information reported 1,252 employees in 2012, they reported just 1,106 this year, a drop of more than 11 percent. A total of 39 firms responded with employment totals this year, compared to 37 in 2012.

Bentonville-based Harrison French & Associates Ltd. landed in the top spot, with a total of 224 local staff members. That’s up from 178 in 2012.

Nos. 2-4 on the list are headquartered in Rogers. They are Benchmark Group (172 employees), pb2 architecture + engineering (80) and Crafton Tull (72).

Garver, at No. 5, is the highest-ranking Washington County firm. The Fayetteville-based firm reported 64 employees.