I thought it would be good for the area. It just seemed like it has a good wholesome message and my enthusiasm for it came from me as a citizen.

I thought our defense adjusted real well to what Ruston was doing. Ruston looked good on that first drive, but the defense picked it up after that.

From an economic development standpoint, most of the people who work there spend income on basics, and there's an immediate turnover into local economy. They buy groceries, pay rent and the money is quickly put back into the local economy.

One thousand-plus jobs within a 40-mile radius represents a major labor provider.

This is something we've been working toward since the past year. It's not really much of a change.

It was just a natural transition. It's kind of the way it's been already.