AEDC Division of Rural Services awards nearly $357,000 in community grants

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 8, 2021) – The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Division of Rural Services has awarded community grants totaling $356,802.26 to 36 counties and communities across the state.

“These grants go a long way in helping our smallest communities leverage funds to help meet critical infrastructure needs,” Department of Commerce Secretary Mike Preston said. “Strong, vibrant communities allow citizens to enjoy a better quality of life, and they make our state more attractive to new and expanding businesses which benefits all Arkansans.”

The Division of Rural Services awarded the grants to Arkansas counties and communities through two programs: the Rural Community Grant Program and the County Fair Building Grant Program.

Twenty-nine counties and communities received a total of $331,144.65 through the Rural Community Grant Program. Under this program, 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 for community development and fire protection projects.

The Division of Rural Services awarded 7 counties a total of $25,657.61 through the County Fair Building Grant Program. Under this program, county fairs located in counties with a population of less than 55,000 are eligible for up to $4,000 for construction, renovation or general improvements of buildings or purchase of items shown to directly improve the building or the services that the county fair association may provide.

Both the Rural Community Grant Program and the County Fair Building Grant Program require a 50 percent match for counties and communities to qualify.

The next cycle deadline for the Rural Community Grant Program is August 12, 2021. For more information about grants administered by AEDC, visit www.ArkansasEDC.com.

Rural Community Grant Recipients:
Avoca Fire Department — $15,000
Bono — $10,975
Collins-Cominto Fire Department – $14,550
Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000
DeAnn Volunteer Fire Department — $1,767
England – $15,000
Galatia – $15,000
Grant County – $15,000
Hazen — $15,000
Hector — $8,229.50
Hickory Flat Fire Department — $15,000
Hwy 35 South Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000
Jacksonport — $2,750
Lavaca Fire Department — $9,400.65
Leachville — $15,000
Marshall — $15,000
McNab — $7,465
McNeil Fire Department — $9,069
Moro Fire Department — $7,323.50
Murfreesboro — $15,000
Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District — $8,490
Ogden — $5,150
Omaha Rural Fire Association — $15,000
Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department — $9,087.50
Rover Fire Department — $9,675
Scranton Rural Fire Department — $15,000
Thornton — $12,612.50
Ulm – $15,000
Water Valley Volunteer Fire Department – $4,600

County Fair Building Grant Recipients:
Baxter County Fair Association — $3,126.15
Clark County Fair Association — $2,531.46
North Franklin County Fair Association — $4,000
Little River County Fair Association — $4,000
Nevada County Fair Association — $4,000
Poinsett County Fair Association — $4,000
Scott County Fair Association — $4,000

###

Contacts

About the Arkansas Economic Development Commission

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, seeks to create economic opportunity by attracting higher-paying jobs, expanding and diversifying local economies in the state, increasing incomes and investment, and generating growth throughout The Natural State. Arkansas is a pro-business environment operating leaner, faster and more focused through a streamlined state government designed to act on corporate interests quickly and decisively. For more information, visit www.ArkansasEDC.com. The Arkansas Department of Commerce is the umbrella department for workforce and economic development drivers. Its divisions and regulatory boards include Division of Aeronautics, Waterways Commission, Wine Producers Council, Division of Workforce Services, Office of Skills Development, State Bank Department, Insurance Department, Securities Department, Economic Development Commission and Development Finance Authority. It was established July 2019 as part of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s wide-sweeping efficiency and transformation efforts to reduce 42 cabinet agencies to 15 while maintaining services for all Arkansans.