IN OUR VIEW | Good News: Airport gets needed funding, Lockheed expands at TexAmericas

Our area received some outstanding news last week.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump tweeted that a $3.6 million grant was going to Texarkana Regional Airport to help with the construction of the long-planned new terminal building.

The grant is the largest of six awarded to Arkansas airports by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration in Arkansas

"Texarkana Regional Airport has a major grant coming its way from US DOT. I'm designating $3.6 million to reconstruct its terminal building, in addition to 5 more airport grants around the State. Glad to help the people of Arkansas!" the president wrote.

And the people of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas, too, appreciate that help. The airport is a major factor in our area's economic growth. Also, it was announced that Lockheed Martin, a major global aerospace, defense and technology company, will be expanding operations in our area.

The company has been working with TexAmericas Center and Red River Army Deport on the expansion, which will bring an undetermined number of new, high-paying tech jobs to our area. The expansion includes a 218,857 square-foot-building at TexAmericas. Lockheed Martin has a contract to support the U.S. Army's Multiple Launch Rocket System Fleet Expansion Program that runs through 2024 and will use a portion of the building's first floor for that purpose.

In this time of COVID-19 and political division, we can all appreciate this good news.

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