Arkansas members of Congress say a $1.2 million federal grant is to be used in a previously announced project to upgrade aviation repair facilities at a former Air Force base, adding 300 new jobs to the northeast Arkansas economy.
The grant was announced Thursday by Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both D-Ark., and Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark.
A news release from the senators said Mississippi County is to receive the money in the form of an Economic Development Administration grant.
The money is to be used to make improvements to two aviation maintenance facilities at the Arkansas Aeroplex on Blytheville's west side, formerly Eaker Air Force Base. The facilities are used by Aviation Repair Technologies.
The release said the funding is part of a larger expansion plan that will enable Aviation Repair Technologies to hire 300 additional workers over the next four to five years.
