U.S. Sens. John Boozman (R-AR), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) issued statements Tuesday (July 19) in support of $1 million in federal funding recently awarded to the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, for drainage system improvements and reconstruction of the “U of A Way” road structure.
The funding was awarded by the Economic Development Administration. According to the EDA, the street has been prone to flooding problems because of light duty pavement and poor drainage conditions. The new construction will expand the pavement’s width in order to improve safety and provide needed space for truck traffic, the EDA said.
The EDA said the road improvement’s economic impact would create 11 jobs, save an additional 65 jobs, and attract $14.5 million in private investment.
“Improving infrastructure is key to economic development and growth,” Boozman said. “This grant is an investment in Texarkana that will help pave the way for economic opportunity and job creation.”
“I am confident that these hard-earned taxpayer dollars will be a positive investment in the Texarkana community,” Cotton said.
“I am pleased the Economic Development Administration has awarded $1 million to Texarkana and Miller County,” Westerman said. “This is a unique opportunity to invest in infrastructure which will create true economic benefits for years to come. The private sector jobs and investment that will result from these drainage improvements will benefit the entire Texarkana region.”
