McConnell Announces Kentucky Selected as U.S. Army TNT Production Facility

MUHLENBERG COUNTY, KY - At a press conference today, 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, the first domestic source of TNT in the United States since the 1980s. Senator McConnell was instrumental in securing this investment, a top strategic priority for the U.S. Army, through his work to shepherd the FY 2024 National Security Supplemental to Senate passage.

Senator McConnell was joined by U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Repkon USA, Army officials, and County Judge-Executive Mack McGehee for the announcement in Muhlenberg County.

TNT is a critical explosive our military uses for artillery shells, bombs, grenades, and other materiel. The Muhlenberg County facility will utilize state-of-the-art technology, maximizing the use of automation and digitization, and a novel waste neutralization process.

"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. Western Kentucky has always punched above its weight, and through this partnership with the Army and Repkon, our state is proving once again that we have the infrastructure, workforce, and logistics edge to take on projects critical to our national defense," said Senator Mitch McConnell.

"This new state-of-the-art facility is essential to the JPEO A&A's mission to develop, procure and field safe, reliable, and lethal munitions to our Joint Warfighters and international partners. This project will also further strengthen our defense industrial base, enabling munitions production at speed and scale," said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition and Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal located in New Jersey.

"Repkon USA is honored to perform this project for the US Army. This is a historic opportunity to build a brand new domestic capability that is vital to our military services and will be used for decades to come. We are grateful to leaders at the Army for their trust in us to establish this facility, and to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for his steadfast leadership and advocacy on behalf of our nation's military, without which we would not be here today," said Bryan Van Brunt, President, Repkon USA Holdings, Inc.

"Muhlenberg County is excited that a high caliber company such as Repkon 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. I want to thank Senator Mitch McConnell for his diligence in bringing this industry to Muhlenberg County. Without Senator McConnell's influence, this multi-million-dollar project would not have come to Muhlenberg County! Thank you, Senator!" said Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive Mack McGehee.

Permalink: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2024/11/mcconnell-announces-kentucky-selected-as-u-s-army-tnt-production-facility