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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Aerojet Rocketdyne Begins Expansion At Its Camden, Arkansas, Operations Center

09/11/2015
Aerojet Rocketdyne, an aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets, began its planned expansion that will bring new programs and 85 jobs to its facility in Camden, Arkansas.

The company’s capital investment for new buildings and renovations on the 1,200-acre site was supported through state and local incentives that included; funding, job investment and creation programs, tax exemptions, real estate tax grants, and training reimbursements. The collaboration included the State of Arkansas, Calhoun County, Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development, Camden Area Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

“I’m proud that, for more than 35 years, our Arkansas facility has manufactured solid rocket motors that are critical to the defense of our nation and that of our allies around the world,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO/President Eileen Drake. “We are delighted to be able expand our capabilities and workforce here and grateful for way that Governor Hutchinson and local leaders have welcomed our growth. This expansion is pivotal to the success of the Competitive Improvement Program we announced in March that is strengthening our position in the aerospace and defense industry.”

Construction also included dedication of the 12-megawatt solar field currently under construction by Silicon Ranch Corporation on approximately 100 acres of adjacent land in Highland Industrial Park, in the city of East Camden.

Through a unique contract, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation, Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation and Southern Arkansas University Tech collaborated to bring the first, large-scale solar project to Arkansas. Once complete, the facility will not only provide clean energy for Aerojet Rocketdyne operations, it will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 2,400 single-family homes.

“This solar project is a key part of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s commitment to operate all our sites in a sustainable manner,” said Drake. “Working with our solar partners represented here today we are helping bring the state’s largest solar field to life in order to provide a clean alternative energy source for our electricity needs and those of neighboring businesses and residences.”

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