Commerce Department releases $380,000 grant for drainage, railroad infrastructure in Southeast Arkansas
by June 22, 2016 9:47 am 57 views
The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced a $380,000 grant to the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District of Pine Bluff to help develop an effective drainage system essential to the safety and longevity of railroad infrastructure in Chicot County.
“The Obama administration is committed to ensuring that our communities have the critical infrastructure they need to support businesses while making them more resilient to natural disasters,” said Jay Williams, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “The EDA investment will provide a drainage system that will safeguard railroad infrastructure from the impact of future flood events to protect commercial activities and jobs.”
In 2008, Hurricane Gustav dumped up to 12 inches of rain in Chicot County. Since Gustav, at least two more instances of major flooding have impacted businesses and jobs in the region.
The EDA investment will help to create an effective drainage system that will help the community become more disaster resilient.
The railroad drainage improvements made under this grant will run from Lake Village to the Arkansas/Louisiana state-line in Chicot County.