Political leaders in Arkansas are strategizing methods to attract more businesses around the country to the Port of Little Rock. On Tuesday, three members of the state’s congressional delegation toured the facility by bus to discuss the progress of the area’s infrastructure.
U.S. Rep. French Hill was joined by fellow Republicans, senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman to meet with Port Director Bryan Day. They engaged in an open dialogue with businesses located at the port to discuss how to make Arkansas more desirable as an economic partner.
Day pointed to pipe manufacturer Georg Fischer and the newly-built Amazon plant as two potential powerhouse companies that could strengthen the port’s economic stability.
Sen. Boozeman voiced his support for infrastructure growth, saying that’s key to creating new jobs in the state.
“The real jobs come about as a result of good infrastructure, then creating economic opportunity,” Boozeman said. “For instance, the infrastructure that was built here that allows us to bring in the Amazon plant, that’s the kinds of things we need to move forward with.”
Infrastructure was at the forefront of the discussion. Sen. Cotton said proper maintenance of existing structures is important for the state’s economy.
“We’ve got to invest in maintenance, we’ve got to keep what we have,” Cotton said. “It’s not as exciting as new projects but for what our people need and our businesses, making sure that we’re spending the right amount of money on maintaining the good infrastructure that we already have really is important.”
