Lockheed Martin President and CEO James Taiclet spoke at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Foundation Luncheon on Tuesday about the company’s goal to help develop a semiconductor manufacturing industry in Arkansas.
“We’re excited about the prospect of on-shoring micro-electronic manufacturing back to the U.S., and we’ve been cooperating with the CHIPS Act and companies like Intel, Qualcomm and GlobalFoundries to do that. It’s a really important step for boosting U.S. competitiveness, innovation and national security, we’re being helpful, we hope, with that,” Taiclet said.
“It’s also important for Arkansas and for your growing semiconductor and electronics business. Cultivating a robust semiconductor industry in this state would complement your stake in the aerospace and defense industry because pretty much everything we make requires many, many semiconductors and microprocessors. That, in turn, will help you attract more jobs to this state – high quality, high paying jobs,” he added.
Taiclet also spoke on workforce development in the state, stating that Lockheed Martin will be investing locally in training and education from high school internships to two-year and four-year degrees. He cited the company’s partnership with Southern Arkansas University Tech, the Camden Apprenticeship Program, as an example. This program gives students on-site training that then allows them to cross-train in different areas and develop a wider range of skills.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was also present at the luncheon and discussed the state’s economic growth and the aerospace and defense industry.
“Lockheed isn’t just here to build rockets, they’re helping Arkansas become America’s arsenal,” Gov. Sanders said. “And they’ve also partnered with our universities, with our state, and with the City of Camden to help all of Arkansas do better.”
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