$25 million in Arkansas Site Development Program funds awarded

The office of Gov. Sarah Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) on Tuesday (April 28) announced $25 million in funds to 22 communities through the Arkansas Site Development Program.

The communities receiving program funds include Bradley County, Bentonville, Berryville, Conway, De Queen, El Dorado, England, Grant County, Hempstead County, Hot Spring County, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Jefferson County, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Mississippi County, Newport, Pocahontas, Prescott, Russellville, Searcy, and Stuttgart.

“Every success story starts with a strong foundation, and the Arkansas Site Development Program helps communities build the groundwork essential to keep attracting businesses to our state,” Sanders said in a statement. “From company-ready sites to our low income taxes and pro-business environment, Arkansas is creating the framework for business success, driving economic growth, and expanding opportunity for generations to come.”

The program began in 2024. To qualify for the program, applicants must have an industrial site of at least 30 contiguous acres of land listed on the Arkansas Site Selection Database and that is owned or optioned by the applicant. Eligible applicants include cities and counties, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations.

AEDC received a total of 29 applications for the latest round of the Arkansas Site Development Program, totaling $73.891 million in requested funding. The funds can be used for a range of site development projects, including the extension and improvement of public infrastructure to the site, right of way acquisition, easement acquisition, and construction costs for site improvements.

In the first round of the program, AEDC awarded $10 million to 13 Arkansas communities in December 2024. Another round of funding totaling $25 million will be awarded in FY 2027.

Following are the specific awards announced Tuesday.
Bradley County Economic Development Corporation – $14,241
City of Bentonville – $142,500
City of Berryville – $1,000,000
City of De Queen – $79,290
City of England – $75,872
City of Jacksonville – $51,800
City of Pocahontas – $1,269,054
City of Prescott – $52,250
City of Russellville – $237,546
Conway County Economic Development Corporation – $1,668,355
Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, Arkansas – $128,440
Economic Development Corporation of Clark County – $3,792,543
El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce – $9,025
Forward Searcy, Inc. – $680,010
Grant County Industrial Development Corporation – $1,392,999
Hempstead County Economic Development Commission – $340,833
Hot Spring County – $530,000
Hot Springs Metro Partnership – $2,123,972
Jonesboro Unlimited – $3,010,000
Little Rock Port Authority – $6,522,727
Mississippi County Economic Development – $1,030,743
Newport Economic Development Commission – $262,800
Stuttgart Industrial Development Corporation – $585,000