State Senator Blake Johnson’s Office is announcing that the National Guard Armory located in Walnut Ridge will remain open according to the governor’s office. Several armory locations in Northeast Arkansas were being slated for possible closure.
Walnut Ridge was one of several that could have possibly been closed due to budget cuts.
The National Guard Armory in Walnut Ridge will remain open. City leaders expressed displeasure in the possible closing stating the closure could have a large negative economic impact on the area. Community leaders stated that an estimated 4 million dollars per year comes into the Lawrence County economy from the Walnut Ridge armory.
Walnut Ridge was one of eight possible closings, no information on the remaining seven facilities.