WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) applauded an announcement from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) that it is awarding a $5 million grant to the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas for airport infrastructure improvements to support job creation and economic development in the region. 

The EDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, is helping fund construction of a new terminal at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport, replacing one destroyed by a tornado in 2020. This investment will be matched with $1.3 million in local funds.

“As the anchor of northeast Arkansas, Jonesboro’s economic contributions are vital. While extensive damage from a tornado in 2020 threatened disruption and uncertainty, the community rallied together to rebuild and revitalize opportunity that this grant will accelerate through rehabilitating and upgrading key travel infrastructure. I’m pleased this investment will further the recovery effort by improving the airport’s functionality and potential for growth, and in turn benefit the entire region,” Boozman said.

“This EDA grant will help ensure that Jonesboro Municipal Airport has the infrastructure needed to increase shipping services, expand regional travel, and create more good paying jobs that will transform the local economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. 

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support locally driven disaster recovery and resiliency,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will provide critical infrastructure repairs and improvements at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport, creating jobs and diversifying the regional economy.” 

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the East Arkansas Planning and Development District (EAPDD). EDA funds EAPDD to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

These projects are funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022.