State grants awarded to 33 rural cities and counties

Gov. Sarah Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services awarded $344,728.69 in grants to 33 Arkansas cities and counties.

“These grants go a long way toward making sure that every corner of Arkansas – not just a few big cities – is taken care of,” said Gov. Sanders. “These 33 recipients come from across our state, from Yellville to Mulberry. Each one of these grants provides their communities with the tools they need to make Arkansas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The Rural Community Grant Program is one of the Division of Rural Services’ programs, which is used to fund projects such as fire trucks, fire protection equipment, community centers, storm sirens, community parks, walking trails, and baseball fields. 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.

“Rural communities play a major role in the economic success of our state,” said Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Clint O’Neal. “The grants awarded by AEDC’s Division of Rural Services will help rural communities throughout the state improve their infrastructure and quality of life amenities to benefit Arkansans.”

The grants are part of the Division of Rural Services’ second cycle of Fiscal Year 2024 grants. AEDC previously awarded $806,125 in grants to 29 Arkansas cities and counties during the 2024 Rural Development Conference in May.

“We are committed to working with and supporting rural communities in Arkansas to help them succeed,” said Director of the Division of Rural Services Becca Caldwell. “With the latest Rural Community Grant Program awards, thirty-three Arkansas cities and counties have additional resources and funding for important projects that will increase quality of life in their communities.”

These are the Arkansas communities receiving grants:

Center Hill Fire Department, $15,000
City of Foreman, $15,000
City of Lakeview, $1,946.78
City of McNeil, $6,160.36
City of Mulberry, $3,847.84
City of Strong, $15,000
City of Sulphur Springs, $8,588.60
City of Winthrop, $15,000
City of Yellville, $6,098.75
Cord Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000
Cotter-Gassville Rural Fire Protection District, $14,433.08
Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, $14,801.93
Etowah Volunteer Fire Department, $3,002
Grayson Fire Department, $15,000
Highfill Volunteer Fire Department, $14,915.92
Highway 250 Volunteer Fire Department, $5,718.31
Huntsville Fire Department, $6,562.50
Keo Fire Department, $13,244
Lake City Fire Department, $7,169.97
Leslie Volunteer Fire Department, $13,724.85
Lincoln Fire Department, $15,000
Lutherville-Holman Community, $11,162
Luton-Pelsor Volunteer Fire Department, $9,750
Norfork Fire Department, $14,406.04
Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District, $15,000
Pangburn Volunteer Fire Department, $7,124.25
Pike County, $4,041.52
Prim Fire Department, $14,630
Stone County, $15,000
Town of Franklin, $8,347.80
Tyronza Volunteer Fire Department, $3,832.20
Waldron Rural Fire Protection District, $1,250
Washington Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000