Friends,

Big things are happening in central Arkansas as economic momentum continues to build across our region.

For years I worked with the Port of Little Rock, the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, and the FAA to move the Little Rock Airport's 1940s navigation beacon to north of the river, unlocking a nearly 1,000-acre industrial megasite at the Port of Little Rock. It is being aggressively marketed for major manufacturing projects that could bring billions of dollars in investment and thousands of good-paying jobs to our communities.

Last week, I shared how my 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will not only help tackle our housing shortage but will allow Arkansas companies like Clayton Homes in Conway and Moody Cabinets in Benton to grow, innovate, and hire more people right here at home.

But if we are talking about massive economic footprints, let's talk about the new 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee's in Benton.

I was at the Buc-ee's groundbreaking last spring and was even more excited to be at the grand opening on Monday. There were lots of friendly faces enjoying the beautiful day, and it was great to join Governor Sanders, Senator Cotton, Benton Mayor Tom Farmer, and Mr. Buc-ee's himself, Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, to celebrate Benton's new colossal travel center and to say a few words about what this means for our state.

Amid the fanfare, ribbon cutting, and mountains of brisket and Beaver Nuggets, the bigger story is the economic impact this enormous investment will have on Benton, Saline County, and central Arkansas.

Here’s what the new Buc-ee's will bring to central Arkansas:

• More than 200 new jobs: The new travel center has created hundreds of permanent jobs in Saline County, bringing new paychecks and opportunities to Arkansas families.
• Good wages and benefits: Buc-ee's is known for competitive wages and benefits, adding another major employer to one of the fastest-growing parts of our state.
• A massive new development: At 74,000 square feet with 120 gas pumps, Arkansas's first Buc-ee's represents a major private investment along the I-30 corridor.
• A magnet for visitors: Positioned between Little Rock and Hot Springs, Buc-ee's will draw travelers to Benton, creating new opportunities for nearby businesses.
• New tax revenue: With an estimated 5 million annual visitors, 60% from out of state, Buc-ee's is projected to generate millions in sales tax revenue while bringing new dollars into Arkansas.

With all the positive economic development happening around the state, it should come as no surprise that people across the country are taking notice.

Just look at some of the headlines Arkansas and Little Rock have earned:

• Record employment: Little Rock metro employment hit a record 385,000+, with the labor force topping 400,000 for the first time.
• CNBC's Top States for Business: Arkansas is America’s Most Improved State in 2026.
• ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index: Arkansas climbed from No. 16 to No. 6 nationally.
• LinkedIn's "Cities on the Rise": Little Rock made the Top 25 for jobs and career growth in 2026.
• No. 2 for GDP Growth: Little Rock ranks second among regional state capitals and peer cities.
• Forbes Top 10 Places for Young Professionals to Live: Little Rock has earned national recognition for its affordability, job opportunities, and appeal to young professionals.
• Livability's Top 100: Little Rock was named one of America's Top 100 Best Places to Live.
• Kiplinger's "10 Great Places to Live: Little Rock was ranked the No. 1 "Great Place to Live" among small and mid-sized cities.
• Top Mid-Sized Metro: Forbes and Business Facilities have recognized Little Rock for its business climate and economic competitiveness.
• Southern Living's Best Cities: Little Rock was named one of the South's Best Cities.

That success didn’t happen by accident.

Former Governor Hutchinson helped put Arkansas on this path by cutting taxes, reducing unnecessary regulation, and making our state more competitive for investment. Governor Sanders has continued that momentum, cutting taxes further and advancing a pro-growth, pro-prosperity agenda that is making Arkansas an increasingly attractive place to live, work, invest, and build a business.

Republicans in Washington are delivering, too. Historic tax relief for small businesses and hardworking families is now law. We are relentlessly cutting red tape to right-size regulations, increasing access to capital, and getting government out of the way of our entrepreneurs, innovators, manufacturers, farmers, and business owners who create jobs and grow our economy.

The results are increasingly visible all around us.

From industrial megasites at the Port of Little Rock to growing manufacturers in Conway to a Texas-sized travel center in Benton, central Arkansas is proving it has the infrastructure, workforce, vision, and momentum to compete and win.

Earlier this month, I joined Saline County Judge Matt Brumley for a side-by-side ride down the newly opened 2.5-mile Saline County section of the Southwest Trail.

This project has been years in the making. It was great to see the latest progress and learn more about how the trail will be maintained. Even better was running into Arkansans already out walking, biking, and enjoying the new trail.

Once complete, the Southwest Trail will stretch roughly 65 miles from Central High School in Little Rock to Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, connecting communities across Saline, Pulaski, and Garland counties.

It’s wonderful to see the hard work of so many come to fruition as this long-awaited project becomes a reality, mile by mile, giving Arkansas families another great way to get outside and enjoy our Natural State.

The latest "winners" of my Golden Fleece Award are the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration, for gaps in how they oversee aviation cybersecurity risks.

Nearly 44,000 flights carrying 3 million passengers fly across America every day, and keeping those systems secure from cyber threats is part of keeping passengers, pilots, and flight attendants safe.

The FAA and TSA have made some progress, but they still have work to do, and they owe it to the flying public to know exactly who is responsible for what and to manage that risk seriously.

Happening Monday! 

I'm holding a Veterans Advisory Council in Searcy. If you're a veteran in central Arkansas, I hope you’ll join me for a conversation about the issues that matter most to you and your family.

Here are the details:

Date: Monday, August 24th

Time: 2:00 PM

Location: Arkansas Army National Guard Armory - 3105 South Main Street, Searcy AR 72143

Over my years in Congress, I regularly host VACs across the district and hold Q&As with veterans to discuss the issues impacting our veteran community. This meeting is open to all central Arkansas veterans.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941 or send an email.

Last week’s Trivia: What was the first college or university in the state of Arkansas? D. University of the Ozarks

35% of respondents answered correctly.

It's Back to School Time - Drive Safely!

As students across central Arkansas head back to school, it’s a good time to remember to slow down and stay alert, especially in school zones and neighborhoods.

Watch for children crossing the street, obey school bus stop signs, and be mindful that morning and afternoon commutes may take longer. Let’s work together to make sure every student gets to and from school safely.

To all the students, parents, teachers, and school staff—wishing you a wonderful and successful school year ahead!

Treasury just finalized the investment lineup for Trump Accounts as funding begins.

Initial contributions will go into a default, low-cost fund tracking the broader U.S. stock market, chosen specifically to keep fees well below the legal cap.

In the coming months, families will also be able to choose from four additional low-cost index funds:

• iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)
• Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)
• State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM)
• iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT)

These funds have been selected to provide diversified exposure across major segments of the financial markets while keeping investment costs low.

These accounts can be managed through the Trump Accounts app, available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play. If you haven't downloaded it yet, do so today so you're ready when funding begins Friday.

All kids born between January 2025 and December 2028 are eligible for a $1,000 federal contribution into a Trump Account. Millions of families have already signed up.

You can open an account by filing IRS Form 4547 through TrumpAccounts.gov, or when filing your taxes.

To learn more, click HERE or call my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941.

My office can arrange tours of the Capitol and many other sights in Washington, D.C., on behalf of you and your family during your stay. Please note: White House tours require Real IDs or other accepted forms of ID, such as a valid passport or U.S. military ID.

If you and your loved ones are planning on visiting Washington, D.C. in the coming months, I recommend you reach out to my office to request tours as soon as possible HERE.

If you have any questions about your visit to Washington, D.C., please call my D.C. office at (202) 225-2506.