Economic Development

The past several decades represent the beginning of an economic renaissance in the 1st Congressional District. New industries are starting to locate in our region, our transportation network is growing, and our universities continue to offer new research and academic opportunities. This growth will provide a tremendous boost to our local economies and raise the standard of living for every Arkansan in the 1st Congressional District.

A number of major industries are moving into our region, including the steel industry in Blytheville, Osceola, and Newport, the auto industry in Crittenden County, and the Frozen Food Industry in Jonesboro. These industries are starting to take advantage of our dedicated workforce and our strategic location at the base of the Mississippi River's vast shipping industry, a major interstate exchange, the Federal Express hub, and the crossing of two major national railroad lines.

In order to attract new businesses to our region, we must continue to build a strong transportation network with high-quality highways, airports, rail, and transit systems. During my time in Congress, I have helped to secure more than $900 million to widen, repair, and build new highways throughout the 1st Congressional District and millions more to make improvements at local airports in our region. We are even working to bring commercial air service to the Ozark Regional Airport in Mountain Home which will be a tremendous boost to the economy. These combined investments not only attract new business opportunities, but improve traffic congestion and safety for local residents.

We must also continue to invest in our navigation system which moves billions of dollars in goods each year to locations throughout the United States and abroad. This requires improvements to locks and dams that have outlived their capacity, deepening navigation channels to accommodate larger vessels, and maintaining gateways vital to domestic and international trade. As a member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I remain a strong advocate for our waterways, helping to secure $1 billion for Arkansas' navigation system since I was elected to office.