Fort Smith remained atop the Arkansas Tech Business Index for the fifth consecutive month, according to data compiled for July.
Its 108.31 rating was followed by Conway (104.88), Springdale (104.52), Fayetteville (104.40) and Van Buren (103.77).
Bentonville (103.38), Jonesboro (102.45), Hot Springs (102.33), Searcy (102.05) and Rogers (101.62) also posted ratings above 100, the state average since 2009.
Jonesboro posted the largest increase from June, going up 0.95 points.
“The primary reason for this increase is a strong showing in the construction index driven by $13 million worth of building permits,” Marc Fusaro, associate professor of economics and developer of the index, said in a news release. “The strong showing was partially offset by a weak showing in retail sales with a drop from 99.77 to 93.23.”
Little Rock was among the bottom half of the 17 municipalities measured in the index, tying with El Dorado at No. 14 with a 94.77 rating. North Little Rock was just ahead of the capital city at No. 13 with a 95.33 rating.
Pine Bluff was the lowest-rated city at 92.89.
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