Gov. Asa Hutchinson announces the formation of the Governor's Military Affairs Committee at Camp Robinson.
A study by the Governor’s Military Affairs Committee found that the state’s five military installations generate $4.5 billion in gross state product.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission released a summary of the committee’s report on Wednesday. Gov. Asa Hutchinson formed the group in 2015. Led by Brad Hegeman, president of Nabholz Construction of Conway, the study says the military installations:
- Support 62,400 total jobs — 21,000 direct employees and 41,400 “direct/induced” jobs.
- Generate $3 billion in total labor income.
- Generate $330 million in tax revenue.
The group, made up of public and private leaders, conducted the study over several months and visited the Little Rock Air Force Base, Camp Robinson/Camp Pike, Ebbing Air National Guard Base, the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center.
Based on the study, the group made recommendations to meet the governor’s aim of supporting and growing military installations in Arkansas.
The recommendations include:
- Initiating community led partnerships in support of Arkansas’ military installations.
- Determining each installation’s capacity to accept new missions.
- Retaining more veterans throughout the state through a variety of dedicated efforts.
- Capitalizing on expanded National Guard training opportunities at Camp Robinson.
- Investing state resources to enhance military installations.
Col. Gary Holland, the AEDC’s director of military affairs, said the study provides clarity.
“Through the findings and recommendations from this study, we now have a clear vision for our next steps,” Holland said in a news release. “I look forward to working diligently with our team to create new opportunities for those who serve.”
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