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Hutchinson: Lockheed Martin project a 'golden opportunity' for state

May 26, 2015

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday called a super-project state legislators will consider supporting with millions in state-issued bonds a "golden opportunity" while acknowledging he has philosophical concerns with government providing such monetary support to private companies.

Hutchinson spoke Tuesday outside the Arkansas state Capitol alongside members of Arkansas' congressional delegation, state legislators and Lockheed Martin company officials hours before lawmakers were to convene for a special session. The main issue is the super-project, which if approved would have the state providing Lockheed Martin $87.1 million in state bonds in an attempt to win a major Department of Defense contract to build Joint Light Tactical Vehicles for the military at a facility in East Camden.

Hutchinson called the state investment "extremely wise" and a "economic boost" to the state that will retain more than 500 existing jobs, create about 600 new ones and draw more through suppliers who will likely locate to Camden to support the production.

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