Arkansas House passes defense contractor incentive package

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An $87 million incentive package aimed at helping attract a defense contract to south Arkansas has easily won initial approval from state lawmakers.

The Arkansas House voted 96-0 on Wednesday to issue bonds if Lockheed Martin wins a contract to assemble a tactical vehicle for the Army and Marines at its Camden facility. State officials say they expect nearly 600 new jobs to be created if the Maryland-based company wins the contract.

The state Senate was expected to vote Wednesday morning on an identical version of the bond proposal.

The incentive package is the top agenda item for the special legislative session that began Tuesday.

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