Mesquite has approved plans for a new defense industry plant that will add more than 125 jobs.
The city council voted unanimously to give General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc. the go-ahead to locate the weapons parts plant in a business park near Interstate 635.
General Dynamics will occupy a 240,011-square-foot building in the Mesquite 635 business park at I-635 and U.S. Highway 80. The new manufacturing operation will produce artillery casings for the U.S. Department of Defense and will employ about 50 salaried employees and another 75 to 100 hourly workers.
“This unique opportunity is a direct result of our strong partnership with the U.S. Army and a very responsive and collaborative Mesquite, Texas, community,” said Steven Black, vice president and general manager at General Dynamics, said in a statement. “We are very excited to grow our company in this region.”
General Dynamics in filings with the city said it may expand the operation to two additional buildings in the development.
“We are excited to have a company like General Dynamics coming to Mesquite,” said City Manager Cliff Keheley. “Mesquite has had a small-town feel for many years, but we are becoming a robust commercial center. Our residents no longer have to leave Mesquite to find employment.”
The Mesquite 635 business park is a project of Arizona-based Creation Equity and LGE Design. Dallas’ Crow Holdings Capital is a partner in the development. Stream Realty Partners leases the buildings.
Mesquite approved plans for the $60 million industrial park in 2021.
The new plant comes as the Department of Defense is increasing munitions and weapons production to replace materials that were sent abroad to support the war in Ukraine.
Based in Florida, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has operations on Glenbrook Drive in Garland and plants in Arkansas and Missouri. It has about 6,000 employees working in more than two dozen locations across the U.S. and Canada.
