AEDC Rural Services Division Awards $863,010.61 to 37 Rural Cities, Counties

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (May 26, 2022) – The Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Rural Services Division recently awarded grants totaling $863,010.61 to 37 Arkansas cities and counties through two grant programs. AEDC Deputy Director Clint O’Neal and Director of Rural Services Becca Caldwell presented the grants to the recipients during the Arkansas Rural Development Summit, held May 12 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

A total of $472,420.00 was awarded to seven cities and counties under the Rural Services Block Grant Program to fund new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations, or multi-purpose buildings, as well as the purchase of fire trucks (pumper, tanker, brush, or certain service trucks). 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 $75,000 in funds under the program with a 10 percent match.

A total of $390,590.61 was awarded to 30 cities and counties under the Rural Community Grant Program to fund projects such as baseball fields, 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.

Photos of grant recipients can be viewed HERE.

For cities and counties interested in applying for Fiscal Year 2023 grants, the next application cycle deadline is August 11, 2022. More information about the programs, as well as deadlines, can be found at www.arkansasedc.com/Rural-Services/division.

Communities receiving Rural Services Block Grants were:

• City of Lewisville, $74,295.00
• St. Paul Fire Department, $75,000.00
• Nevada County, $75,000.00
• Pindall Fire Department, $61,598.00
• City of Huntington, $75,000.00
• City of Winslow, $58,626.00
  
  

Communities receiving Rural Community Grants were:

• Bay Fire Department, $15,000.00
• Bergman Volunteer Fire, $12,728.00
• City of Carlisle, $15,000.00
• Clarkridge Fire Department, $15,000.00
• City of Cotter, $15,000.00
• Cotter-Gassville Rural Fire, $15,000.00
• Daisy Fire Department, $15,000.00
• City of Des Arc, $7,500.00
• East Monroe Volunteer Fire, $15,000.00
• Community of Fox, $7,990.00
• Gravette Fire Department, $15,000.00
• City of Green Forest, $15,000.00
• Town of Highfill , $15,000.00
• Highland Fire Department, $15,000.00
• City of Jasper, $15,000.00
• Town of Keo, $13,200.00
• Newark Fire Department, $5,448.00
• Oak Prairie Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000.00
• Pangburn Fire Department, $15,000.00
• Poinsett County, $15,000.00
• Prairie County, $15,000.00
• Community of Cherry Hill, $15,000.00
• Cord Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000.00
• City of Evening Shade, $3,855.00
• City of Hampton, $15,000.00
• Lincoln Fire Department, $15,000.00
• Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District, $12,232.61
• Southridge Volunteer Fire Department, $3,297.00
• City of Star City, $12,990.00
• Town of Willisville, $11,350.00