FORT SMITH, Ark. — On Saturday, President Biden approved a highly anticipated bill that will help fund a program at the 188th Wing in Fort Smith.
After years of hard work and dedication to build the program, $83 million was approved to fund the Pilot Training Center at the Ebbing National Guard base.
Fort Smith fought against five other cities to be the location for the project.
"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Fort Smith to ... provide the economic impact and important contributions to national, [and world], security," said Congressman Steve Womack, who worked with Senators Cotton and Boozman to draft the funding bill.
Congressman Womack said the funding has already led to smaller projects, "The arresting cable is an ongoing project and you can see that today when you drive by the airfield."
A large chunk of the funding will go towards the construction of plane hangars, flight simulation facilities, and a special-access facility.
Congressman Womack said approval of funding took longer than anticipated due to negotiations. "Senators Boozman, Cotton, and myself have been trying to convince the Air Force and the Department of Defense that this is critical to national security."
The first training groups set to fly those F-35s in the fall are coming from across the globe.
"Polish, Swiss, German, and Singaporean people are going to be coming into Fort Smith to train, and that training mission is going to go on for decades," expressed Womack.
With the influx of foreign pilots, city officials expect a boost to the local economy.
Womack adds, "All of the things that go into a mission like this contribute to ... the local economy, because the soldiers and the civilians are going to be earning money there, spending money in our local economy, and residing in our communities."
Politicians are working on drafting a second bill for another round of multi-million dollar funding focused on defense. The deadline to submit that draft is March 22, and Womack said the funds should be available by the end of that month.
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