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Retail incentives bill stalls after hearing on 'Project X' and public opposition
Summary
Senate Bill 493 would add "facilities for retail sale of goods" to permitted economic development projects and was presented with a confidential 'Project X' from Fort Smith estimated to create 93 jobs; testimony from business groups and AEDC raised concerns and the bill ultimately failed in committee for lack of motion after a quorum loss.
Senate Bill 493 was presented to the Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development committee as a proposal to expand the state's list of economic development projects to include facilities for retail sales of goods. Benny Westfall of Fort Smith described a confidential "Project X" that he said would create 93 jobs with an average salary of $53,000, require $12–15 million of construction, and generate roughly $28 million in initial sales.
"We're calling it Project X," Westfall said, describing a plan…
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