Outlook for 2012 Shows More Manufacturing Jobs

Northwest Arkansas is projected to see a net gain of 635 manufacturing jobs by the first quarter of 2012 over the same quarter of 2010, according to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The NWA Workforce Investment Area comprises Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Baxter, Boone, Newton, Marion and Searcy counties,

The Western Arkansas WIA, on the other hand, is projected to lose 1,501 manufacturing jobs, the most in the state. Western Arkansas includes Sebastian County, which has many manufacturing plants including Whirlpool Corp.

Southeast Arkansas is expected to see the biggest gain in the state, with a projected 1,083 new jobs.

Overall, the BLS projects Arkansas to gain 323 manufacturing jobs. The industries with the brightest outlook, according to the report, are engine, turbine and power transmission equipment; agriculture, construction and mining machinery; and soap, cleaning compound and toilet preparation.