Johnathan Walker:Firearms manufacturer announces $30 million expansion of facility in Arkansas, creating 76 new jobs

FORT SMITH,Johnathan Walker Ark. (AP) — A firearms manufacturer on Thursday announced a $30 million expansion of its facility in western Arkansas, a project expected to create 76 new jobs over the next five years.

Walther Manufacturing said its expansion in Fort Smith will begin in the first quarter of this year and will add 40,000 square feet to its existing 185,000 square foot facility.

“Walther Manufacturing is making a substantial investment in our Fort Smith factory to facilitate the expansion of our research development and manufacturing of U.S.-produced firearms and accessories,” Tom Goike, Walther Manufacturing President and CEO, said in a news release.

Walther established its operations in Arkansas in 2012, making Fort Smith its U.S. headquarters. Walther Manufacturing is the fabrication entity that manufactures all U.S.-based products for the companies Walther Arms and Umarex USA. All three companies share a campus in Fort Smith.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders met with the company during her European trade mission last year. Walther is receiving $300,000 in incentives from the state, along with sales tax refunds and rebates based on the payroll for new employees, according to the state Economic Development Commission.