RELEASE: REP. HILL’S PROVISION TO FOSTER ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS INCLUDED IN FAA REAUTHORIZATION
WASHINGTON, D.C.,
May 15, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after his provision to expand the Little Rock Port and relocate the VOR Cone was included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) five-year reauthorization.
Rep. Hill said, “I applaud my provision’s inclusion in the five-year FAA reauthorization to ensure my efforts to expand the Little Rock Port by relocating the VOR Cone continue in a timely manner. After pushing this project forward for nearly a decade, its inclusion is crucial to promote economic development and create jobs in central Arkansas.
“As American airlines are key drivers of economic growth, it is critical that the United States remains the global leader in aviation. Passenger safety and experience are important to Americans and tourists who rely heavily on our aviation system for domestic travel, including in and out of Clinton National Airport in Little Rock. I was proud to support this reauthorization today to ensure important investments are made in our airports here in Arkansas and across the country.”
Senator John Boozman (R-AR) said, “The Little Rock Port is an economic engine in central Arkansas that has opportunity for further growth and development. I’m grateful for Congressman Hill’s leadership to ensure it has the ability to expand while continuing to provide pilots the navigation tools they need.”
Port of Little Rock Executive Director Bryan Day said, “The Little Rock Port Authority is excited to see the VOR Cone relocation project finally coming to an end. This relocation will allow the Port to recruit a major industry to the community that will create thousands of jobs and opportunities for Arkansans. None of this would have been possible without the help of Congressman Hill, Senator Boozman, and the entire delegation. Congressman Hill has focused on this effort from day one and has never lost sight of what the relocation of the cone will mean for his district.”
Little Rock Regional Chamber President and CEO Jay Chesshir said, “In 2016, I called Rep. French Hill requesting help in scheduling a meeting with the FAA to discuss relocating the VOR Cone at the Little Rock Port. Because of his previous leadership role with the Little Rock Regional Chamber, Rep. Hill understood it was essential to the future economic growth of the central Arkansas region. Rep. Hill, Sen. John Boozman, and the entire Arkansas delegation were then key in having the FAA recognize the importance of upgrading this navigation technology for the Little Rock Air Force Base and Clinton National Airport, along with civil aerospace needs. Relocating and upgrading the navigation system will enable us to use unencumbered space south of the Little Rock Port to create a new 1,000-acre economic development supersite. Without Rep. Hill’s strong and sustained leadership, this vital project would have never received approval and would not be close to completion.”
Further Background:
Senate Amendment to H.R. 3935 - FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024: This bill reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years. It strengthens our aviation system by growing the aviation workforce, improving passenger experiences, prioritizing safety, and more. Rep. Hill’s provision gives the FAA six months to brief the appropriate Congressional committees on the status of the Little Rock VOR project.
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