Governor, AEDC award $12.5 million in grants to rural Arkansas communities
Gov. Sarah Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission announced more than $12.52 million in funding for Arkansas cities, counties, and communities. Eight-eight (88) grants, totaling $12,522,736, were awarded during the latest grant cycle.
The funding was provided through the General Assistance and Rural Services Block Grant set-asides of the State Small Cities Community Development Block Grant, and State Rural Community Grant programs.
“Arkansas’ success starts with our local communities,” said Gov. Sanders. “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.”
State CDBG funds are utilized for a variety of public facility and infrastructure projects, including senior centers; childcare centers; public health facilities; youth centers; residential water and wastewater; street, curb, gutter, sidewalk, or storm sewer; and flood control and drainage projects; as well as towards economic development grants incentivizing the location or expansion of jobs in the state. Funds are awarded on an annual basis with counties and municipalities also allocating resources to meet urgent needs and to benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
The Rural Services Block Grant program funds new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations, or multi-purpose buildings, as well as the purchase of fire trucks and fire equipment. Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas with low to moderate incomes of 51 percent or higher are eligible for up to $100,000 in funds under the program with a 10 percent match.
The Rural Community Grant Program is used to fund projects such as fire trucks, fire protection equipment, community centers, storm sirens, community parks, and walking trails. Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in 50/50 matching funds under the program.
“The Division of Rural Services and the Rural Development Commission are proud to present recipients of the Rural Community Grant and the Rural Services Block Grant for fiscal year 2026,” said Becca Caldwell, director of AEDC’s Division of Rural Services. “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.”
View the full list of recipients and awards below:
Rural Community Grant Program
Altus Fire Department
$15,000
Atkins Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000
Bradley Fire Department
$15,000
Carlisle Fire Department
$15,000
Cato Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000
Charleston Fire Department
$7,500
City of Bay
$15,000
City of Cedarville
$5,094.29
City of Cherry Valley
$15,000
City of Chidester
$10,990.50
City of Diamond City
$15,000
City Of Hampton
$15,o00
City of Harrisburg
$15,000
City 0f Hazen
$15,000
City of Hughes
$8,012.32
City of McCrory
$15,000
City of Mulberry
$15,000
City of Ogden
$7,401.95
City of Pangburn
$15,000
City of Sparkman
$15,000
Community of Compton
$1,500
Community of Rover
$7,300
Cotter Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000
Drew County
$13,495.50
Enola Fire Department
$6,111.52
Fouke Fire Department
$15,000
Hackett Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000
Hackett Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000
Harmon Fire Department
$15,000
Highfill Volunteer Fire Department
$12,151.42
Imboden Fire Department
$12,376.45
Izard County
$15,000
Junction City Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000
Lake City Fire Department
$15,000
Landis Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000
Lincoln Fire Department
$15,000
Marshall Fire Department
$15,000
Mineral Springs Fire Department
$15,000
Mount Holly Volunteer Fire Department
$12,705
Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District
$15,000
Poyen Fire Department
$15,000
Prim Fire Department
$5,203
Star City Fire Department
$7,259
Strawberry Volunteer Fire Department
$14,974.40
Town of Bergman
$15,000
Town of Big Flat
$15,000
Town of Caulksville
$15,000
Town of Emerson
$14,986.26
Town of Guy
$15,000
Town of Letona
$4,984
Town of Oak Grove
$15,000
Town of Prattsville
$9,345
Town of Shirley
$15,000
Town of St. Joe
$7,488.24
Welcome Home Community
$9,000
Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department
$6,758.75
Rural Services Block Grant Program
Ashley County
$89,999.74
City Of Ash Flat
$90,000
City of Banks
$89,999.99
City of Hackett
$99,900
City of Huntington
$90,000
City of Tillar
$100,000
Independence County
$100,000
Town of Cove
$100,000
Town of Powhatan
$90,000
General Assistance
City of Bradley
$499,939
Cleburne County
$116,665
City of Cotter
$487,620
City of Evening Shade
$500,000
City of Glenwood
$499,828
City of Gurdon
$500,000
City of Hartford
$498,545
Izard County
$482,509
Jackson County
$387,630
City of Junction City
$498,635
Town of Lafe
$499,560
City of Leslie
$499,200
Town of Louann
$499,999
City of Marianna
$500,000
City of Marked Tree
$499,000
Town of Maynard
$499,706
City of McNeil
$499,606
City of Prescott
$499,988
Town of Sedgwick
$500,000
City of Wickes
$495,612
Town of Widener
$500,000
Town of Willisville
$499,438
City of Wilton
$499,720