With the help of U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, the booming Craighead County city is set to receive $5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the runway extension, the mayor said in a news release.

The money for the project was included in the $1.7 trillion budget package the Senate passed on Thursday to fund the federal government into next fall. Despite some opposition from conservatives, the Senate approved the spending measure 68-29, and it was taken up Friday in the U.S. House, where it is favored. Once it passes the House, President Joe Biden is expected to sign it before Washington’s holiday break.

Copenhaver, one of the primary advocates of the airport project, applauded Boozman and his staff for their assistance in securing the money.

“I would like to thank Sen. Boozman and his staff, for this could not have happened without their work,” the mayor said in a statement.

“We look forward to working with our entire DC delegation, because as Jonesboro grows, our transportation needs will continue to expand.” He added that the investment “will pay off in economic dividends in the near and distant future.”