U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced a $4.9 million grant for the city of Leesville from the Department of Defense’s Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program.

“Investing in Louisiana communities is good for Louisianians and our national security, and I’m happy to see … the city of Leesville will be able to put this (money) to use to make our state a safer place,” Kennedy said.

The Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program will fund $4,930,000 for the to extend a runway at the Leesville Airport to support the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Johnson.