LR board OKs Czech gun-maker to buy port land

City directors on Tuesday authorized an agreement that gives the U.S. arm of a Czech Republic firearms manufacturer the option to buy about 66 additional acres next door to where it plans to build a plant in east Little Rock.

CZ-USA has begun constructing its 265,000-squarefoot facility on a 73-acre site off Zeuber and Fletcher roads east of Interstate 30 on land owned by the Port of Little Rock. That facility will serve as the company’s North America headquarters.

The Little Rock Port Authority Board on May 15 agreed to give CZ-USA a fiveyear option to purchase the additional land for $1.5 million, a decision that was subject to the board’s approval.

The measure was added to the board’s consent agenda Tuesday and approved without discussion. All members were present except Kathy Webb of Ward 3, who was at a conference out of state.

Once the deal is finalized, CZ-USA has agreed to immediately deposit $1 million into an interest-bearing account for the port’s use, Bryan Day, executive director of the port, told the board last week. CZ-USA, if it does purchase the property, won’t be able to sell it to anyone else. Day said the company has no project on the horizon, but doesn’t want to lose the opportunity to acquire the acreage.

Closing on all matters is set for Friday, according to Tuesday’s resolution.

The board on May 7 approved multiple measures in support of the plant, including an endorsement resolution required for the company to participate in a state program that allows it to receive a partial sales-tax refund on eligible expenditures. Directors also voted to authorize the expenditure of $500,000 in economic development funds to assist with improvements to Zeuber Road. Webb’s was the sole vote against that measure.