Muhlenberg County will be home to a TNT production facility, following an announcement by United States Senator Mitch McConnell Friday afternoon—the first domestic source of TNT since the 1980’s.
According to a news release, the U.S. Army will award Repkon USA $435 million to construct a trinitrotoluene—best known as TNT—production facility in Graham, Kentucky. The Muhlenberg County facility will utilize state-of-the-art technology, maximizing the use of automation and digitization, and a novel waste neutralization process.
TNT is a critical explosive the military uses for artillery shells, bombs, grenades, and other various items.
McConnell says, “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.”
Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive Mack McGehee says, “Muhlenberg County is excited that a high caliber company such as Repkon USA is building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility here in Graham KY. This project will be a huge boost to our local economy by bringing construction jobs and high-quality permanent jobs.”
Photo from State Representative Rebecca Raymer