It turns out that the industrial site in Fort Smith, which Governor Sarah Sanders had highlighted in advance of the investigation because of concerns that it might have links to Chinese communists, has no connection whatsoever to a “banned, foreign-controlled company.”
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said Tuesday (Aug. 13) that his investigation into the new owners of the former Trane manufacturing plant near Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith found no illicit ties.
“In my investigation of the ownership of 4811 S. Zero Street in Fort Smith, I have determined that there is no violation of Act 636 of 2023. 4811 S. Zero Street, LLC is not owned, controlled by, or affiliated with a ‘prohibited foreign party controlled entity,'” Griffin said in a statement. “I thank the Secretary of Agriculture for bringing this issue to my attention and the owners of 4811 S. Zero Street, LLC for their cooperation in the investigation. I also commend the diligence of the attorneys and agents in my office who handled this case.”
Griffin’s office declined to release ownership information.
The building at 4811 S. Zero St. is the former Trane manufacturing plant that closed in 2017 and was recently sold at auction. The building and property sold for $5 million, according to Sebastian County Assessor Zach Johnson.
The 35,000-square-foot building near Fort Smith Regional Airport once employed more than 500 workers to produce residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning products. When the plant closed, about 250 workers were still employed.
Ebbing, home of the 188th Squadron at Fort Smith and co-located with Fort Smith Regional Airport, was selected by the U.S. Air Force in March 2023 as a long-term pilot training center to support F-16 and F-35 fighter aircraft purchased by Singapore, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Finland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Prior to Griffin’s office’s investigation, which was launched on July 23 by Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward, Governor Sanders issued a statement to raise awareness about the demand for an investigation.
“Communist China is America’s greatest enemy. I will not let them buy up land near our military installations and spy on our nation’s defenses. I kicked out a Chinese Communist Party state-owned enterprise once and will do it again to protect Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas,” the governor noted on social media.
Talk Business & Politics has asked the governor’s office for comment on Griffin’s findings.
The Arkansas Legislature passed Bill 636 in 2023, which prohibits “foreign-controlled companies” from acquiring property in the state. In the letter, Ward urged Griffin to “take appropriate legal action” if he finds the company is controlled by Chinese interests.
