On Saturday, the United States Senate approved a legislative package that includes funding for defense, health, and education for the state of Arkansas. The $825 billion bill, FY24 Defense Appropriations, will allocate $208 million for Ebbing Air National Guard base in Fort Smith for the mission’s future pilot training sites and pilot training and $53.3 million for the Department of Defense in Camden to bolster production and capacity for the manufacturing of vital munitions for the Department of Defense.
Championed by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), he said, “I’m proud to deliver investments to Arkansas that support growth and development as well as improve the quality of life for Natural State residents. These bills will enhance health services access and workforce capabilities to deliver quality care in addition to expanding our state’s national defense contributions. Passing appropriations bills is a basic responsibility of Congress. I’m pleased we are finally getting them across the finish line so we can deliver the certainty federal agencies and the Americans who rely on them need, and begin considering our budget priorities for the next fiscal year.”
“We’re very, very delighted that the funding is now starting to flow,” Fort Smith Mayor George McGill said. For Ebbing Air National Guard, their next steps are to build out the base, prepare to build the training and flight simulator center and anything else they need to fly a F-35 aircraft. McGill says they are in the process of working on the runway, building the berm area and loading and unloading areas.
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