Why would three experienced entrepreneurs—Josh McMillan, Robby Sims, and Brent Hottinger—choose to build the I-40 Shooting Range and Gun Store in Pottsville, Arkansas rather than pursuing larger markets like Conway or Little Rock?
Community Over Demographics
The founders prioritize community ties over demographic advantages. As one explains, "This shooting range and this gun store is a way for us to pay it forward to our local community." Despite Pottsville's smaller population compared to nearby cities, the entrepreneurs leverage existing relationships and identified local needs.
The Local Business Impact
Economic research shows locally-owned businesses recirculate 48% of revenue locally versus 14% for chains. The shooting range specifically addresses a gap the founders identified through years of firearms instruction—the lack of adequate facilities in the River Valley area.
Fighting Brain Drain
The article discusses broader implications about brain drain in rural Arkansas and how local entrepreneurship strengthens community infrastructure beyond financial metrics, emphasizing values like "faith, family, freedom."
Interested parties can visit i40range.com for membership information as construction nears completion.