By C1 Staff
WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – While the Arkansas Department of Corrections is looking for a new location for a federal facility, one county has opted out.
Lawrence County voted 5-4 against submitting an application for the $100 million state prison that could have created hundreds of jobs, according to the Baxter Bulletin.
County Judge Dale Freeman said most residents he spoke to were enthusiastic about the economic jumpstart a prison would have in the county.
“I don’t care if I’m never elected county judge over something like this,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to look back and say we didn’t give 500 people an opportunity.”
Justice Jim Jones opposed hosting the prison for safety reasons. He said he didn’t think an inmate would escape, but that a potential escapee would injure another person in the attempt.
If the legislature approves funding for the construction of a new state prison, 250 jobs could be established with an average $12,75 hourly salary. The prison could expand to employing 500 people with a yearly $38 million operating budget.