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The Arkansas Board of Corrections has voted to approve plans to build a new prison in Franklin County.
Governor Sanders announced the purchase of an 800-acre property in Charleston on October 31st with plans to build a three-thousand inmate correctional facility.
Hundreds of Charleston residents turned out Thursday night to hear the state's plan to build. A spokesperson for the governor's office and a Board of Corrections official both spoke at the event. Residents voiced concerns over the prison being within five miles of a school and area property values. Mayor Mike Baumgarten promises to work closely with local and state officials to keep residents up to date.
Once complete, the prison is expected to create about 800 jobs.