A House committee has given its approval to a plan that would provide state funding to a new steel mill in northeastern Arkansas.
On a voice vote, the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development said Wednesday that the state should use $125 million to back the Big River Steel plant in Osceola. There was a small number of "No" votes.
The plan calls for Arkansas to issue bonds to provide a loan and pay some of the construction costs of the planned $1.1 billion mill. Big River Steel says the plant will create at least 525 permanent jobs.
The Senate approved the proposal Tuesday by a 26-6 vote.
Gov. Mike Beebe and legislative leaders have endorsed the proposal, but some conservatives have criticized it.
