McConnell announces Kentucky selected for U.S. Army TNT production facility
MUHLENBERG, Ky. – On Friday, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced the U.S. Army will award Repkon USA $435,000,000 to construct a Trinitrotoluene (TNT) production facility in Graham, Kentucky.
According to a release by McConnell’s office, this will be the first domestic source of TNT in the U.S. since the 1980s. TNT is a critical explosive the United States military uses for artillery shells, bombs, grenades and other materials, officials say.
Officials say McConnell helped to secure the investment.
“For the first time in decades, America will produce TNT on its own soil, manufacturing the explosive material our military uses for everything from hand grenades to 155mm artillery. I’m proud that the National Security Supplemental I championed in the Senate will bring home $435 million in federal funding to establish this TNT capability right here in Kentucky, helping retool the defense industrial base our military relies on. Through this partnership with the Army and Repkon USA, our state is proving once again that we have the infrastructure, workforce and logistics edge to take on projects critical to our national defense,” McConnell said. “Working alongside Congressman Guthrie and CJE McGehee, I will continue to ensure Western Kentucky always punches above its weight.”
The Muhlenberg facility will use the latest technology to carry out production, according to officials.
The announcement took place in Muhlenberg County with McConnell, U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Repkon USA, Army officials and county judge-executive Mack McGehee.
