LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A worldwide leader in weapons and ammunition manufacturing has plans to expand one of its Arkansas facilities.
SIG SAUER, one of the leading providers and manufacturers of firearms, announced plans to expand its ammunition manufacturing facility in Jacksonville in a news release on Friday.
The company stated that it will invest $150 million to expand the Jacksonville facility and it is expected to create 625 new jobs over the next five years.
As part of the expansion, SIG SAUER will be developing a new 250,000-square-foot building to house parts of its manufacturing processes, the release stated. The company will be investing in component hybrid case manufacturing, primer manufacturing, and load/pack operations to support multiple contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense.
“We are incredibly excited about expanding our ammunition operations here in Jacksonville and building upon years of success in Arkansas. This opportunity has proven itself essential to the growth and sustainment of our ammunition business, and further enforces our commitment to the Arkansas community and workforce,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, Inc.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated that the expansion would create jobs and reaffirm Arkansas’ right to keep and bear arms.
“Here in Arkansas, we love welcoming business expansions almost as much as we love defending the Second Amendment. SIG SAUER’s expansion to their facility in Jacksonville does both, creating jobs and reaffirming Arkansans’ right to keep and bear arms,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “I’m proud this company chose Arkansas to plant its roots, and I’ll keep cutting taxes, investing in education, and growing our workforce to invite even more jobs and businesses to the Natural State.”
In addition to the U.S. Department of Defense, the manufacturer creates ammunition and ammunition components for, global defense, law enforcement, and consumers, in addition to pistol night sights at the Jacksonville facility, according to the release.
“I am excited for what this expansion will bring to Jacksonville and the region of central Arkansas,” said Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore. “Their footprint in Jacksonville and impact on our city and state is something that we are extremely grateful for. We look forward to many more successful years of SIG SAUER in Jacksonville and the State of Arkansas.”
