May 7, 2019, 14:00 PM by

A military affairs grant awarded to Fort Smith will be used to promote the Joint Military Training Camp at Fort Chaffee.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Media Inquiries:
Brandi Hinkle – Director of Communications
Arkansas Economic Development Commission
501-519-7382 mobile or [email protected] 

Fort Smith receives $20,000 Military Affairs Grant
Funds to be used to produce videos to promote Fort Chaffee training center

Gov. Asa Hutchinson today announced a $20,000 Military Affairs Grant Program award to the Fort Smith Economic Infrastructure Fund to produce marketing videos for the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center (JMTC). The videos will be used to promote the state-of-the-art ranges at Fort Chaffee to military units throughout the region.

“Supporting our military installations and growing their missions has positive economic effects and provides true value to national security,” said Gov. Hutchinson. “Arkansas is proud to provide training and development opportunities for servicemen and women within their surrounding communities.”

The Military Affairs Grant focuses on the growth of existing military installations and missions. More than $600,000 in awards have been provided since Gov. Hutchinson announced the creation of his Military Affairs Initiative in 2015. Retired Air Force Col. Robert Ator, director of Military Affairs at Arkansas Economic Development Commission, oversees the program and advises the Governor’s Military Affairs Committee.

“This grant flows from the commitments to infrastructure investment, and we’re excited for the growth in mission for Fort Chaffee,” said Col. Ator. “This grant is singularly focused on the mission and the challenge from Gov. Hutchinson to support, protect and grow the military missions in Arkansas.”

Fort Chaffee is the largest JMTC in the central United States with more than 60,000 acres of ranges and maneuver space. Fort Chaffee is home to the 142^nd Field Artillery Brigade, the Razorback Range (aerial bombardment/ gunnery range) and numerous federal entities that use the installation and ranges. The JMTC has made significant investments to build ranges that will accommodate maneuver elements up to Brigade size, officials said.

“In a time of near-peer Nation-State competition, training spaces like Fort Chaffee are indispensable to national security,” said Col. Ator. “Arkansas is extremely fortunate to call Fort Chaffee ours, and the Military Affairs Committee will fight for their mission as they fight for all Arkansans.”

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. Fort Chaffee’s annual impact is over $200 million per year, supporting 400 jobs that swell during peak training periods to several thousand jobs.

For more information on the Military Affairs Grant Program, visit http://www.arkansasedc.com/community-resources/military-affairs or call 1-800-ARKANSAS.

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A soldier of the Arkansas National Guard 142^nd Field Artillery Brigade fires the M109 155mm Paladin cannon while on exercises at the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuvers Training Center (JMTC).

About Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)
Created in 1955 to make Arkansas more competitive in the post-World War II era, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) seeks to create economic opportunity by attracting higher-paying jobs, expanding and diversifying local economies in the state, increasing incomes and investment, and generating positive growth throughout The Natural State. Arkansas is a pro-business environment operating leaner, faster and more focused through a streamlined state government designed to act on corporate interests quickly and decisively. For more information, visit www.ArkansasEDC.com.