Little Rock received a remarkable boost this week as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his family announced a $10 million donation to the Clinton Presidential Center — a gift that is set to fund a significant renovation of the beloved landmark along the Arkansas River.

The announcement came alongside a high-spirited gathering at the Little Rock Touchdown Club, where Jones and former President Bill Clinton appeared together at Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, drawing what was reported as a record crowd. The energy in the room reflected just how much both figures mean to the state of Arkansas, and the evening turned into a celebration of local pride as much as a milestone moment for the presidential library.

The Clinton Presidential Center has long served as one of Little Rock’s most prominent cultural and educational destinations, welcoming visitors from across the country and around the world. A renovation of this scale promises to enhance the experience for future generations of guests and students who come to explore the history housed within its walls.

The generosity of the Jones family underscores the deep ties that prominent Arkansans — even those who have built their careers far from home — continue to feel toward the Natural State. Jerry Jones, who grew up in Arkansas, has remained connected to the community throughout his decades-long career as one of the NFL’s most recognizable figures.

The record-breaking crowd at Simmons Bank Arena for the Touchdown Club event added another layer of celebration to the occasion, with Arkansans turning out in force to honor two of the state’s most famous sons. By all accounts, it was a night that Little Rock will be talking about for quite some time — and the $10 million pledge to the Clinton Presidential Center ensures that its positive impact will be felt for years to come.

Sources: thv11.com, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette