Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) have announced more than $12.52 million in grants to help strengthen rural communities across the Natural State.
The latest funding cycle awarded 88 grants totaling $12,522,736 through the State Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the General Assistance Program, the Rural Services Block Grant Program, and the Rural Community Grant Program.
The grants will fund projects ranging from street improvements and water infrastructure to senior centers, community buildings, fire stations, walking trails, storm sirens and emergency equipment.
Governor Sanders said investing in local communities remains a priority.
“Arkansas’ success starts with our local communities. The places that shape our towns and cities are often the ones that define them – a park, walking trail, community center, safer street. These funds help local leaders build those places that bring neighbors together, improve quality of life, and build on what Arkansans already know: there is no better place in America to live, work, and raise a family than the Natural State.”
AEDC Executive Director Clint O’Neal said the investments will help communities continue growing.
“Local communities are the foundation of our success in Arkansas. With the grants from the Division of Rural Services and the Grants Division, we aim to help communities access the resources and services they need to grow and continue creating economic opportunities.”
Becca Caldwell, director of AEDC’s Division of Rural Services, said the funding is critical for small towns.
“These grant programs are essential for the development of rural Arkansas as they help communities improve their quality of life, address safety concerns, and improve infrastructure. The Division of Rural Services is committed to help set up our rural communities to thrive.”
Jean Noble, director of AEDC’s Grants Division, praised local leaders for identifying projects that improve their communities.
“The success of the CDBG program lies in the dedication of our local leaders who work tirelessly to improve their communities. The CDBG program gives the state the ability to partner with these cities and counties to turn critical infrastructure priorities into reality while addressing their most urgent safety, health, and development needs.”
How the Money Will Be Used
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program awarded 32 grants totaling $11.8 million for projects including:
Water and wastewater improvements
Streets, sidewalks and drainage
Senior centers
Childcare facilities
Public health buildings
Youth centers
Flood control projects
Economic development initiatives
An additional 56 Rural Community Grants totaling $709,637 will support:
Fire trucks
Fire protection equipment
Community centers
Parks
Walking trails
Storm sirens
Public safety improvements
Rural Services Block Grants will also help fund construction and renovation of community centers, fire stations and public buildings.
Communities Receiving Grants
Communities receiving funding during this grant cycle include:
Grant Recipients (A–Z)
Altus Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Ash Flat — $90,000.00 — Rural Services Block Grant
Ashley County — $89,999.74 — Rural Services Block Grant
Atkins Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Banks — $89,999.99 — Rural Services Block Grant
Bay — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Bergman — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Big Flat — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Bradley — $499,939.00 — General Assistance (Infrastructure/Public Facilities)
Bradley Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Carlisle Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Cato Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Caulksville — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Cedarville — $5,094.29 — Rural Community Grant
Charleston Fire Department — $7,500.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Cherry Valley — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Chidester — $10,990.50 — Rural Community Grant
Cleburne County — $116,665.00 — General Assistance
Community of Compton — $1,500.00 — Rural Community Grant
Cotter — $487,620.00 — General Assistance
Cotter Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Cove — $100,000.00 — Rural Services Block Grant
Diamond City — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Drew County — $13,495.50 — Rural Community Grant
Emerson — $14,986.26 — Rural Community Grant
Enola Fire Department — $6,111.52 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Evening Shade — $500,000.00 — General Assistance
Fouke Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Glenwood — $499,828.00 — General Assistance
Gurdon — $500,000.00 — General Assistance
Guy — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Hackett — $99,900.00 — Rural Services Block Grant
Hackett Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Hampton — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Harmon Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Harrisburg — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Hartford — $498,545.00 — General Assistance
Hazen — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Highfill Volunteer Fire Department — $12,151.42 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Hughes — $8,012.32 — Rural Community Grant
Huntington — $90,000.00 — Rural Services Block Grant
Imboden Fire Department — $12,376.45 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Independence County — $100,000.00 — Rural Services Block Grant
Izard County — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Izard County — $482,509.00 — General Assistance
Jackson County — $387,630.00 — General Assistance
Junction City — $498,635.00 — General Assistance
Junction City Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Lake City Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Landis Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Lafe — $499,560.00 — General Assistance
Leslie — $499,200.00 — General Assistance
Letona — $4,984.00 — Rural Community Grant
Lincoln Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Louann — $499,999.00 — General Assistance
Marianna — $500,000.00 — General Assistance
Marked Tree — $499,000.00 — General Assistance
Marshall Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Maynard — $499,706.00 — General Assistance
McCrory — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
McNeil — $499,606.00 — General Assistance
Mineral Springs Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Mount Holly Volunteer Fire Department — $12,705.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Mulberry — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Oak Grove — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Protection Project)
Ogden — $7,401.95 — Rural Community Grant
Pangburn — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Powhatan — $90,000.00 — Rural Services Block Grant
Poyen Fire Department — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Prattsville — $9,345.00 — Rural Community Grant
Prescott — $499,988.00 — General Assistance
Prim Fire Department — $5,203.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Rover Community — $7,300.00 — Rural Community Grant
Sedgwick — $500,000.00 — General Assistance
Shirley — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Sparkman — $15,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
St. Joe — $7,488.24 — Rural Community Grant
Star City Fire Department — $7,259.00 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Strawberry Volunteer Fire Department — $14,974.40 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)
Tillar — $100,000.00 — Rural Services Block Grant
Welcome Home Community — $9,000.00 — Rural Community Grant
Wickes — $495,612.00 — General Assistance
Widener — $500,000.00 — General Assistance
Willisville — $499,438.00 — General Assistance
Wilton — $499,720.00 — General Assistance
Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department — $6,758.75 — Rural Community Grant (Fire Department Project)State officials say the funding is intended to improve infrastructure, strengthen public safety, expand community services and enhance the quality of life for residents across rural Arkansas.
