Fort Smith business and community leaders gathered Thursday at the Fort Smith Convention Center for the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting. The focus was the region’s economic future, driven by the ongoing expansion of the Ebbing Air National Guard Base and the influx of foreign partner dollars.
Record attendance and strong Chamber membership
Tonya Sarlls, executive vice president of the Chamber, said the organization now counts more than 1,250 members. About 780 people registered for this year’s meeting – a record turnout that underscores local enthusiasm for the base’s growth.
Foreign investment surpasses $700 million
“Over $700 million, and those dollars are not just U.S. dollars, but our foreign partner dollars that are being invested in the base,” Sarlls told the audience. The figure reflects commitments pledged to date and is expected to rise as additional countries join the international training mission.
Federal funding and new facilities
Ebbing was selected in 2023 to host the U.S. Air Force’s Foreign Military Sales training mission for F‑35 fighter jets. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers broke ground on May 6, 2026 for a $74 million academic training center that will house classrooms and four advanced F‑35 flight simulators. The center is part of a broader training complex the Air Force estimates will cost $807 million to complete.
In May 2025, Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton and Representative Steve Womack announced $141 million in additional federal funding for Ebbing. The money supports the academic training center, an F‑35 maintenance hangar, a mission‑planning facility and design work for future projects.
Local contractors benefit
“A lot of our local contractors are benefiting from that, and that’s good for those local companies. It’s good for the folks that work for those companies,” Sarlls said, highlighting the direct job creation and business opportunities tied to the construction effort.
Poland joins the partnership
Poland is among the nations participating in the training mission, having purchased 32 F‑35 fighter jets. Dorota Markiewicz‑Zemke, deputy chief of mission and chargé d’affaires at the Polish Embassy, delivered the Chamber’s keynote address. She praised the community’s “warmth and generosity” in welcoming Polish personnel and their families.
The presence of international military families is expected to boost local housing, retail and service sectors, though the exact economic impact was not quantified at the meeting.
Looking ahead to 2027
The Chamber affirmed its commitment to attract new businesses and investment to the Fort Smith region as leaders plan for continued growth through 2027. With strong federal support, expanding foreign partnerships, and a thriving local contractor base, the outlook for the area’s economy remains optimistic.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
