CAMDEN, Ark. — Arkansas will soon be home to a missile production site that will create artillery for the Iron Dome in Israel.
In October, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced millions of dollars would be invested in a missile production company. On Wednesday, Sanders, alongside several state leaders, broke ground in Camden on the $63 million investment.
"It's a major player in our economy around here," Calhoun County Judge Floyd Nutt said.
Although in Camden, Raytheon-Rafael Area Protection Systems will set up shop with the production site just inside the Calhoun County line.
The company will create 60 new jobs in Camden and will be creating missiles that will be used in Israel's Iron Dome and the U.S. Marine Corps.
"The U.S. version of the Iron Dome weapons system, Tamir SkyHunters, is a medium-range air defense weapon designed to counter a range of threats," Raytheon Deputy President Annabel Flores said. "Cruise missiles, manned and unmanned aircraft, rockets, artilleries and mortars."
The $63 million investment is something Sanders and state leaders have been working on for months.
"There's no better place to build weapons that defend America and our allies than right here in Camden," Sanders said
Arkansas Sen. John Boozman said it's about keeping people safe.
"It's about keeping the men and women that protect us [safe]," Boozman said. "Keeping themselves safe [so] they can keep us safe."
According to Rep Bruce Westerman (AR-04), spending for defense is priceless.
"Spending for defense is investing in the things that are priceless," Westerman said. "Peace and freedom."Peace and freedom."
Raytheon-Rafael Area Protection Systems said the U.S. provided almost $3 billion to Israel for Iron Dome costs and maintenance.