Sen.Mitch McConnell speaks during the St. Jerome Picnic in Fancy Farm, Aug. 3, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)
Kentucky has been chosen as the site for a $435 million TNT production facility as the United States resumes domestic production of the explosive for the first time since the 1980s, according to a news release from U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
The Army will award a contract to Repkon USA to build the production facility in Graham in Muhlenberg County.
“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,” McConnell said.
McConnell said he was proud to have championed the legislation that includes funding for the project “right here in Kentucky, helping retool the defense industrial base our military relies on.”
Inside Defense reports that TNT is used in ammunition, bombs and grenades, and is the “primary explosive fill” for 155mm artillery shells, according to the Army, which is continuing to increase its production of 155mm ammunition to support Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive Mack McGehee is quoted as crediting McConnell for bringing the project to Muhlenberg County, which he said “will be a huge boost to our local economy by bringing construction jobs and high-quality permanent jobs.”
Maj. Gen. John T. Reim said, “This history making initiative underscores our commitment to strengthening our national security and reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical materials. A domestic source of TNT is a crucial step in strengthening and building resilience in our Defense Industrial Base to ensure our armed forces have timely access to essential resources.”