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DOC Looking To Build State Prison In Scott County

WALDRON (KFSM)-Scott County is in the running to house a maximum security prison. Local officials say it would be a much-needed jobs creator, while others say t...

WALDRON (KFSM)-Scott County is in the running to house a maximum security prison. Local officials say it would be a much-needed jobs creator, while others say they don't want criminals in their area

Local leaders said Thursday (Dec. 4) Scott County is one of 16 proposed sites in the state of Arkansas.

"We've done a lot of research asked a lot of questions involved a lot of citizens in Waldon and I'm leaning towards it being a great idea for our town,” Angela Hunsucker, Waldron Industrial Development Board member said.

The group said the facility would cost $100 million to build and create 250 jobs.

"Our main goal is to bring industry,” Neil Cherry, Waldron Mayor-Elect said.

Resident Nick Madison said this would do just the opposite.

"To have a Maximum security prison in your town, city's gonna get a bad reputation,” he said. “Other businesses that are wanting to come aren't gonna want to cause there's a prison.”

Others think it would be a positive thing to help the area thrive.

"It's a very small town in the community, but if everybody here pulls together we can make it a better county, a better town to live in,” Brenda Graves, resident said.

Travis Plummer, the Vice President of the Waldron Industrial Development Board said his group is looking for land.

“We haven't heard anything from the state,” he said. “No definite land is available but we do have some in mind if they become more serious.”

Officials said the area that houses the facility will need about 400 acres of land that’s highway accessible, among other criteria. Board members said the Department of Correction is seeking legislative approval on the project, and once that happens, the possible sites can be narrowed down.

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