Officials Gather to Discuss Future of Ammunition Plant

Last year, workers at an Army base in northeast Texas got some bad news. The pentagon`s top brass decided to close the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant. As that process moves forward, officials are now working to turn this economic misfortune around. The ammunition plant sits on more than 15 thousand acres that`s prime real estate. Monday afternoon a meeting was held to discuss possible uses for the property. The base realignment and closure law allows a 90 screening process for groups wanting to submit a proposal. Several ideas are already being kicked around. One that`s stirring quite a bit of interest is opening an oil refinery. Legislation that`s before the senate would essentially streamlines permitting and directs the president to identify three or more closed military bases as potential refinery sites. Another plan that`s gaining steam is opening a large industrial park. "The redevelopment authority has the opportunity to take the lemon of lone staar closing to make lemonade to make it one of the largest industry park in the state of Texas," says Jerry Sparks, the economic development cordinator for the Texarkana chamber of commerce. Sparks says Lone Star has enough property to support both proposals. The process to submit proposals will finish up September 7th.