Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson became the first governor from the Natural State to visit the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Besides hailing from a pro-Second Amendment state, the governor wants to make Arkansas the “premier location for investment and expansion for the firearms industry,” according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:

Hutchison met with Remington in February 2015, and SIG Sauer was one of six companies the governor contacted on his first day in office, according to a news release.

Remington plans to expand its plant in Lonoke and will create 84 new jobs. Remington did not reveal how much it would invest in the project.

Remington received $2.5 million from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund; eight years in annual cash rebates equal to 3.9 percent of payroll for newly created positions; and a sales- and use-tax credit for businesses that invest $5 million or more in a single location for new construction, expansion or modernization.

Madison, N.C.-based Remington began production in Lonoke in 1969 and employs about 1,200. It invested $32 million upgrading the plant in 2013.

SIG Sauer will occupy an existing structure in Jacksonville and intends to invest several million dollars in its Arkansas operation. The company makes pistols, rifles, ammunition, optics, silencers, air guns and accessories. Incentives SIG Sauer received include $800,000 from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund; a tax credit based on new-job payroll; and sales tax refunds on building materials some machinery and equipment.

[…]

The Firearms and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report 2014, produced by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, counted 2,650 jobs in Arkansas directly attributed to the firearms industry in 2014, with total wages of $145 million, up from 2,398 jobs in 2013.

This is great news.

Also, be sure to read up on Jenn and Bob’s coverage of SHOT Show as well.