Remington factory Ilion, New York
Remington Arms Company in Ilion, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Remington has been building firearms in New York since the early 19th century. But much has changed over the last two centuries, not least of which the political climate in the Empire State. As a result, Remington announced today that they’ll be joining the exodus of firearms-related firms leaving anti-gun northeastern states for friendlier climes to the south and west.

Remington will be investing $100 million in a new facility in LaGrange, Georgia southwest of Atlanta and bring 856 jobs with them over the next five years.

New York legislators have done their level best to make this happen and, outside of the immediate Ilion area, most in state government there will likely consider this a win.

Here’s Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s announcement . . .

Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced Remington Firearms (RemArms), America’s oldest firearms manufacturer, will locate its global headquarters and open a new advanced manufacturing operation as well as a world-class research and development center in LaGrange, Georgia. Through these projects, RemArms will invest $100 million and create 856 jobs over a five-year period in Troup County.

“Georgia’s firearms industry is responsible for thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of investment in our communities,” said Governor Kemp. “I am a proud owner of some of Remington’s first-class product, and now, I am excited to welcome them to their new home in the Peach State. As yet another big manufacturing win for our state, I look forward to seeing the oldest firearms manufacturer in America thrive in Georgia’s pro-business environment.”

Founded in 1816, Remington Firearms is one of the United States’ largest domestic producers of shotguns and rifles. Several of the company’s strategic products will be manufactured in Georgia. The new headquarters will also become home to an innovative research and development center.

“We are very excited to come to Georgia, a state that not only welcomes business but enthusiastically supports and welcomes companies in the firearms industry,” said Ken D’Arcy, RemArms CEO. “Between the support we’ve received from the state and from Scott Malone and Kelley Bush of the City of LaGrange Economic Development Authority, we cannot wait to expand our company in Georgia. Everyone involved in this process has shown how important business is to the state and how welcoming they are to all business, including the firearms industry.”

The company will be hiring for positions in production, operations, engineering, and management, as well as careers in HR, finance, and administration in Remington’s onsite executive offices. For more information, please visit www.remarms.com.

“I am thrilled to welcome Remington Firearms to the growing list of manufacturers who call LaGrange home,” said Mayor of LaGrange Jim Thornton. “The Remington name has long been associated with great products, and I know they will continue that tradition and be very successful here. I applaud the partnership with Governor Kemp and the economic development teams at the state and at the city that help attract great companies to our community.”

The Georgia Department of Economic Development was represented in this competitive project by Senior Project Manager Taylor Kielty in partnership with the LaGrange Economic Development Authority, Georgia Power, and Georgia Quick Start.

“For more than two centuries, Remington Arms has been a part of the fabric of our country, and for many of us who grew up with a strong connection to the outdoors and a love of outdoor sports, a trusted brand like Remington has been interwoven into our lives,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “This makes it all the more exciting for us to see Remington Firearms locate their global headquarters and advanced manufacturing operations to Georgia where they will join a strong community of great companies who call this state home. Many thanks to our economic development partners in Troup County for helping the state win this project, which will undoubtedly have a sizeable economic impact on LaGrange and surrounding communities.”

56 COMMENTS

      • frank speak,

        I am questioning how long until Georgia goes blue and wants Remington to leave.

        I call your attention to recent voting in Georgia:
        — Governor Kemp won his 2018 election by the skin of his teeth (a fraction of a percent of votes) over a weak opponent.
        — A slight majority of votes gave Georgia to Biden in 2020.

        Whether or not those election numbers were accurate or fraudulent is irrelevant for all intents and purposes because those are the “official” election results which determined who attained office. (It doesn’t matter if Republican voters dominate the state as long as Democrats are able to fraudulently “win” elections.)

  1. This is not really a surprise. New York’s tax rate is way to high. Good luck Remington in GA.

    • I just escaped NY myself. Property taxes in the state I moved to (West Virginia) are 1/6 or better what they are in rural NY. Virtually everything is cheaper. The weather is better. My house is bigger and nicer for the same money. I can get a plastic bag for my groceries (in NY shoppers are not to be trusted with plastic bags). The people are saner. And of course, the difference in gun laws is night and day.

      NY is killing itself. The left wants to kill the rest of the country in exactly the same ways. They hate prosperity and freedom because it makes them feel guilty. Be warned.

      • NAPRESTO, I’m glad to see you got out but sad at the same time. The problem I see that if we don’t stick around and make things right, it will only get worse and spread like a cancer. The Socialists (I’ve given up calling them “liberals” as they are not really liberal at all) are out to destroy what freedoms we have anyway they can to impose their will on the populace. They want to bankrupt the country to establish their socialist regime. The real deal is that they feel guilty about the so called poor. They do not give anywhere near to charities that Conservative Americans do. To compensate for their greed and guilt at the same time, they want the government to do the charity work that they are too darn cheap to take unto themselves.
        The list of states that are killing this country and themselves encompasses all if not most of the so called “Blue States”. ONLY “WE THE PEOPLE” can do something about it. Get mad, talk to your neighbors who do not vote, make a difference in your community.

        • Hi Walter. I agree with you on many points! I grew up in NY. My whole family is there. I was driven out, and I’m offended by it. But after years and years and years of things getting worse, not better, I just couldn’t do it anymore. NY is so monolithically leftist (socialist, you are correct) that turning the tide just felt impossible. Larger forces than mere voting need to come into play in order to make a difference in states like NY, because conservative voters in NY do actually go to the polls. They do talk to their neighbors. They try. I tried. But it’s like screaming into the wind. NY is no longer the front line. It is enemy territory, conquered and totally controlled. Now the push back needs to happen in places where it still makes a difference. VA is a great example.

          NY is inevitably going to lose its tax base (it’s already happening). Maybe this will force NY’ers into some difficult decision-making about tax rates, regulations, income redistribution schemes, and more. Maybe this will make NY a front line again. Here’s hoping something will change – but I’ll never return, quite honestly. My homeland is too far gone, at least for many years to come.

  2. Awesome … now if they would just pump up production of green and white box .357 magnum soft point …

    • Different company. Remington Ammunition is owned by Vista Outdoor now. Remington Arms is now a separate company [think Winchester ammo (Olin) and Winchester guns (Browning)].

      • If Remington Arms is a company then what did we see go bankrupt? I understood this to no longer be a company and was sold off in pieces to other companies. This sounds more like the breakup of ma bell.

        I guess I’m a bit confused by this.

        • I believe Federal bought Remington and has recently been infusing new life into it?

          (correct me if I’m wrong)

        • Prndll Remington was split into Ammunition, Accessories, Firearms, and others. … Sierra Bullets (which is part of Federal) bought most of Remington’s ammunition assets along with Vista Outdoor Inc. Sturm, Ruger, and Co bought Marlin which is the most interesting to see what they do with the company.

        • @ Walter E Beverly III

          I understand that the company was split up. It was always understood that it was split up and different companies bought the parts. What I’m not understanding is who it is that’s moving. RemArms? Vista? A division of Vista that carries the Remington name? Or something else?

        • Prndll, An investment company called The Roundhill Group LLC purchased the Remington firearms factories last fall for $13 million. The deal included Remington’s main factory in Ilion, New York, and its handgun barrel factory in Lenoir City, Tennessee. The sale included all the firearms side of the business except Marlin which was purchased by Ruger.

        • @ Walter E Beverly III

          So it’s Roundhill that’s moving?

          ——

          I know Ruger bought Marlin. Everyone keeps telling me that but that isn’t even a thing in this discussion.

        • Ruger did indeed purchase Marlin lock, stock and barrel and are actually IN production in Mayodan, NC. Ruger moved over 100 tractor trailer loads of equipment to Mayodan and purchased a large empty building to store what is not needed to start up production of the center fire lever guns. Their lever guns will be available for purchase before the end of the year. You need to build inventory before a product is launched. Vista is pumping out Remington ammo from the Lonoke, AK round the clock. The Remington headquarters located in Madison, NC, next door to Mayodan simply closed; I guess it was incorporated in the Ilion, NY factory. Remington’s Museum is there; is that moving? Lots of changes.

  3. I guess they think there is enough juice to squeeze from the Model 700 and 870 to support a $100M investment?

    • They make more than those 2 and you know it….. and actually those being as popular as they are, then yes they should EASILY succeed for many many years to come….. as long as they keep producing firearms and ammo….

      • Not much more.. Ruger took Marlin, Vista took the ammo business, their pistols are excrement. The designs for their product are in the public domain so anyone can freely copy them with quality at least as good for less money. This won’t be their last bankruptcy.

    • I seem to recall that the head executive responsible for driving them into bankruptcy is the head of the investment firm that purchased the firearms manufacturing part of the business. So any kind of comeback is unlikely.

      • Aww man, I sure hope you’re incorrect CWT! But, you’re probably spot on. I’ll keep an eye on that, thank you for the heads up.

        • Ask yourself this, Why would the man in charge run it into the ground and then buy it. To me, this was all planned out. I bet Remington comes back strong.

      • You have it backwards. He drove the company into bankruptcy so he could get rid of what he didn’t want and buy back what he did for pennies on the dollar. Now its time for part two of the plan which is to pack it up and move out of New York. No unions in GA, None of the other stuff you find in democrat controlled northeastern areas either. Not only do I think Remington will thrive, but I believe this was the plan all along. Ask yourself this, Why would the man in charge run it into the ground and then buy it. To me, this was all planned out.

        • rdsii64, Excuse me but there are unions in Georgia. IT is a “right to work state” meaning that you cannot be forced to join the union. What drive Remington Arms into banko was the law suits over Sandyhook which was a thumped up boondoggle by gun control lawyers.

  4. Join in! Everybody…

    I wish I was in the land of cotton,
    Old times there are not forgotten;
    Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

    In Dixie Land where I was born,
    Early on a frosty morn,
    Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

    Oh, I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
    In Dixie Land I’ll take my stand
    to live and die in Dixie.

    Away, away, away down south in Dixie.
    Away, away, away down south in Dixie.

    There’s buckwheat cakes and Injun batter,
    Makes you fat, or little fatter;
    Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

    Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel,
    To Dixie Land I’m bound to travel.
    Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

    I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
    In Dixie Land I’ll take my stand
    to live and die in Dixie.

    Away, away, away down south in Dixie.
    Away, away, away down south in Dixie.

    “Loved by many, despised by others, “Dixie” is still among the most recognizable of all American songs. Ironically, it was written by a Northerner, Daniel Decatur Emmett. Bryant’s (blackface) Minstrels premiered it in New York City on April 4, 1859.”

    • Away down South in the land of traitors,
      Rattlesnakes and alligators,
      Right away! Come away! Right away! Right away, come away!
      Where cotton’s king and men are chattles,
      Union boys will win the battles, right away!
      Come away! Right away! Right away, come away!
      We’ll all go down to Dixie, away! Away!
      Each Dixie boy must understand that he must mind his Uncle Sam
      Away! Away! We’ll all go down to Dixie!
      Away! Away! We’ll all go down to Dixie!
      (Back to singing)
      I wish I was in Baltimore,
      I’d make secession traitors roar right away!
      Come away! Right away! Come away! Right away, come away!
      We’ll put the traitors all to route,
      I’ll bet my boots we’ll whip ’em out,
      Right away! Come away! Right away, come away!
      We’ll all go down to Dixie, away! Away!
      Each Dixie boy must understand that he must mind his Uncle Sam
      Away! Away! We’ll all go down to Dixie!
      Away! Away!We’ll all go down to Dixie!
      (Continue singing)
      O may our Stars and Stripes still wave forever roar the
      Free and brave! Right away! Come away! Right away, come away!
      And let our motto forever be for Union and for
      Liberty, right away! Come away! Right away, come away!
      We’ll all go down to Dixie, away! Away!
      Each Dixie boy must understand that he must mind his Uncle Sam
      Away, away, !
      We’ll all go down to Dixie! Away, away, we’ll all go down…

  5. When Roundhill Group LLC, the firm that purchased Remington Firearms out of the bankruptcy break-up, announced they were staying in Ilion, NY I thought it a huge mistake. While they had experienced staff they had a labor union to go along with it. The result was the same issues that plagued the Detroit auto industry and for the same reason. I’m the unfortunate owner of two of Remington’s ‘Monday guns’, guns badly botched probably due to someone being hung over or still coming down from whatever they’d ingested over the weekend. Add in a hostile political environment and it was a no-win situation. Glad to see they finally came around before they were back in bankruptcy court.

      • Roundhill is already in Pennsylvania and Florida. They bought Remington branded firearms for $13M and fully owns RemArms and its 2 factories, so it is a wholly owned subsidiary. RemArms got an FFL in February, not Roundhill. Vista bought the ammunition portion, which included the Remington trademark and name

  6. It sucks that It has to be this way but it makes no sense for 2A businesses to be based in anti-2A states.

  7. Funny, during the years leading up to the Civil War it was the North that had all the firearms manufacturing capabilities — now the ‘foot is on the other shoe’!

  8. I clicked on the link for the Remington website just now, and it’s outdated.
    The “About Us” page still says,
    “In 2020, RemArms acquired the Remington Firearms legacy manufacturing facility in Ilion, NY and the proud opportunity to build Remington firearms.”

  9. Certainly looks to me like RemArms is moving….with the Remington equipment they own.

    To that I say…fantastic!

  10. the trajectory were on:
    the 85 percent of the counties in america that are red eventually leave the 15 percent that are blue and become their own new self governing entity
    the results:
    they control all the water food energy raw materials transportation networks all the gun and ammo manufacturers and their fair share of the military
    how i feel about it:
    im ready to get it on

  11. If they’re moving, seems like a perfect opportunity to make some major changes. Despite their best efforts, Remington still has the tiniest bit of credibility among a small segment of gun owners, so maybe they can stop screwing up two of the oldest, simplest, and most robust firearm designs?

    If they stop making garbage, with the current demand for guns, *maybe* they can once again become a major player in the industry. Otherwise, burning this money would literally be a better use of it

  12. If you study a map of NYS you’ll find out Ilion is a small town of 8000 people. The surrounding towns/cities are pretty run down economically. Screw the state. Between the loss of Remington’s payroll and the loss to neighboring businesses and the loss of school taxes, the surrounding region will be well, and truly, devastated.

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