FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Thursday that the state has purchased 815 acres in Franklin County to build a new prison.

The state paid $2.95 million for the property in Charleston, about 106 miles northwest of Little Rock.

The State Board of Corrections must approve the site before construction can begin.

Prison officials have not said how much the prison will cost or when construction will begin.

However, according to the governor's office, the prison is expected to employ nearly 800 people with an average salary of more than $46,600.

Although the prison will be well outside northeast Arkansas, two local officials believe it will benefit everyone in the state.

“The selection of this site represents a significant step toward reducing the burden on our county jails while improving public safety throughout Arkansas,” said State Representative Jimmy Gazaway, who represents District 31 in Greene County. “Choosing this location in Northwest Arkansas is a strategic move that not only addresses the urgent need for additional prison capacity, but also ensures access to a qualified workforce and will create new jobs, spurring economic development for local residents.”

Greene County Judge Rusty McMillon echoed Gazaway's sentiments.

McMillon, who serves as president of the County Judges Association of Arkansas, said the group is grateful to the governor and state lawmakers for their commitment to increasing bed capacity for state inmates.

“This will help reduce the burden in our county jails,” McMillon said. “By releasing local roosts, our deputies and officers will be better able to ensure greater safety in our communities.”

There are currently about 2,500 state inmates housed in county jails.

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