The Pine Bluff Arsenal is unique because it has invested millions of dollars in specialized infrastructure and environmental regulatory permit capacity, providing essential capacity to manufacture, repair, assemble, and store specialized chemical and biological defense equipment.  This new designation allows the Pine Bluff Arsenal to manufacture, remanufacture, and sell both articles and services not only to government entities, but also to the private sector.  

“This is tremendous news for the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the hard working families in Pine Bluff, White Hall, and Southeast Arkansas,” said Ross.  “The CITE designation for the Pine Bluff Arsenal will make the Arsenal the preferred military site for production, storage, and maintenance of Chemical and Biological Defense Equipment.  Such a designation ensures that the distinctive missions provided by the Pine Bluff Arsenal will continue for years to come, creating economic opportunity and potential for new jobs.” 

"We believe that the CITE designation will allow us to evolve into a true joint and interagency full-spectrum logistics platform, positioned to serve not only the warfighter, but national homeland defense efforts, as well as the commercial sector," said Larry Wright, Pine Bluff Arsenal Civilian Executive.

In the FY06 Defense Authorization Bill, Ross requested the language which directed the Secretary of the Army to fully examine the Pine Bluff Arsenal as a CITE for Chemical and Biological Defense Equipment.