01/05/16   Arkansas National Guard Closings In South Arkansas

The Arkansas National Guard is proposing the closure of three armories in southern Arkansas as part of a nationwide cost-cutting effort. According to an Arkansas-Democrat-Gazette report, the armories are in Prescott, Magnolia and Monticello.

Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Joel Lynch says officials met with mayors and other leaders in the communities last week to talk about the proposed closures. The Guard is proposing the closed armory buildings be turned over to local control.

Arkansas currently has 55 armories. Seven were closed during the federal fiscal year that ended September 30, after the Guard's maintenance budget was cut to 8 million dollars from 10.2 million a year earlier.

The final decision on closing the three armories will be made by Governor Asa Hutchinson.