More than $8.8 million in grants awarded to 78 Arkansas cities and counties

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and other state officials presented grants totaling more than $8.8 million to 78 Arkansas communities and counties at a ceremony held Oct. 24 at the Arkansas State Capitol.

The grants fall into one of four programs administered by Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC): Arkansas Community and Economic Development Grant Program (ACEDP), Rural Services Block Grants, Rural Community Grants, and County Fair Building Grants.

Twenty-nine cities and counties received $7,549,432 under the General Assistance set-aside of the ACEDP. The funds originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) State Program for Small Cities, and are awarded for a variety of public facility and infrastructure projects, such as wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation to senior citizen centers. To be eligible for CDBG funds through this program, communities must have a population of less than 50,000, and at least 51% of the persons benefitting from the project must be of low- to moderate-income.

A total of $997,115.16 was awarded to 15 communities and counties under the Rural Services Block Grant program (also funded through CDBG) to fund new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations, or multi-purpose buildings, and the purchase of fire trucks (pumper, tanker, brush or certain service trucks) and fire-fighting equipment. Grants are up to $75,000, with a required match of 10% that may be comprised of in-kind labor, in-kind materials or cash. Only incorporated towns and rural communities with a population of less than 3,000 with at least 51% in the low- to moderate-income category are eligible.

A total of $318,505.00 was awarded to 28 communities and counties under the Rural Community Grant Program within the Rural Services Division to fund projects such as community parks, walking trails, community center, fire stations, fire trucks and other fire protection-related equipment. Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in matching funds under the program.

A total of $23,657.55 was awarded to six counties under the County Fair Building Grant Program. Fair associations located in counties with a population of 55,000 or less are eligible to apply for up to $4,000 per year through the County Fair Building Grant Program. Communities must provide 50% of the cost of the project as match to qualify for the grant.

Following are the cities and counties receiving the awards, and the award amounts.

Arkansas Community and Economic Development Grant Program
City of Altheimer – $180,848 – Streets
City of Batesville –  $128,200 – Childcare Center
Benton County – $200,000 –  Water Rehab
Calhoun County – $729,390 – Water Extension
City of Caraway – $200,000 – Water Project
Town of Coal Hill – $196,471 – Public Health Clinic
City of Corning –  $192,500 – Drainage
City of De Queen – $200,000 – Water Tank
City of Earle – $200,000 – Streets
City of Eureka Springs – $200,000 – Wastewater
City of Foreman – $200,000 – Wastewater
Fulton County – $1,000,000 – Water Extension
City of Huntsville – $200,000 – Water Tank
Johnson County – $143,005 – Child Development Center
City of Leslie – $132,000 – Sidewalks
Town of Louann – $200,000 – Water Rehab
Lonoke County – $200,000 – Child Advocacy Center
Madison County – $1,000,000 – Water Extension
City of Magnolia – $200,000 – Water Rehab
City of McCrory – $176,100 – Public Library
City of Ogden – $166,000 – Water Project
City of Osceola – $144,992 – Cultural Center
City of Paragould – $200,000 – Homeless Shelter
Polk County – $159,939 – Senior Center
City of Prescott – $199,987 – Water Rehab
City of Reyno –  $200,000 – Water Rehab
City of Ward – $200,000 –  Wastewater Rehab
White County – $200,000– Child Safety Center
City of Wynne – $200,000 – Wastewater Rehab

Rural Services Block Grant Program
Emerson – $75,000
Evansville – $75,000
Guion – $43,283
Hampton – $75,000
Huntington – $42,345
Huttig – $74,664
Marked Tree – $67,500
Mt. Judea – $75,000
Nevada County – $75,000
Sidney – $75,000
Sparkman – $70,000
St. Paul – $75,000
Stephens – $71,895
Swifton – $29,851
Washington – $72,577.16

Rural Community Grant Program
Arkana – $6,171
Bay – $15,000
Bono – $15,000
Briarcliff – $15,000
Colt – $4,941
Compton Volunteer Fire Department – $15,000
Enola – $12,975
Galatia – $15,000
Humnoke – $5,000
Jasper – $15,000
Jessieville Volunteer Fire Department – $12,000
Johnson County Rural Fire District #1 – $15,000
Laneburg Fire Department – $14,237.50
Lincoln County – $15,000
Lone Rock Fire Protection District – $10,000
Mulberry Fire Department – $15,000
Oak Prairie Volunteer Fire Department – $15,000
Oil Trough – $13,205
Omaha Rural Fire Department – $15,000
Pangburn Fire Department – $15,000
Shirley – $13,668
South Carroll County Fire District – $14,988.50
Sulphur Rock – $997
Tollette – $1,572
Watalula Volunteer Fire Department – $15,000
Williford Volunteer Fire Department – $6,500
Winslow – $2,000
Yellville – $5,250

County Fair Building Grant Program
Baxter County – $4,000
Cleburne County – $4,000
Fulton County – $3,657.55
Hot Spring County – $4,000
Izard County – $4,000
Searcy County – $4,000