Governor, AEDC announce first Military Affairs Grant award

“Supporting our military installations and having this type of initiative will ensure we remain competitive and valuable to national security,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson announced the creation of a Military Affairs Initiative in 2015 to expand the state’s military interests and related economic development. The 10-member Steering Committee is chaired by Brad Hegeman, president of Nabholz Construction. Retired Air Force Col. Robert Ator was recently named Director of Military Affairs and oversees the grant program.

“This is the first grant for the Arkansas Military Affairs program,” Ator said, “and we’re excited to see what it can accomplish.”

White Hall Mayor Noel Foster formed a Military Affairs Advisory Committee in July 2016 to provide focused attention to the needs of the Pine Bluff Arsenal. The Advisory Committee has achieved success in the past year with recent National Defense Authorization Act legislation to establish a chemical defense logistics hub at the Arsenal.

“Military support organizations such as the White Hall Military Affairs Advisory Committee are valuable advocates for their neighboring installations,” Foster said. “Having the state’s grant will allow us to enhance the Arsenal’s military value and strengthen ties with our congressional delegation and national military leaders.”

A recent economic impact study of military installations in Arkansas revealed that military business interests account for $4.5 billion annually and employs 60,000 people. The Arsenal’s annual impact is about $142 million, supports 650 jobs and creates another 400 indirect jobs.

For more information, visit Military Affairs or call 1-800-ARKANSAS.