More than $1.3 million in grant funding headed to NCA Arkansas

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More than two dozen cities, counties and non-profit entities in North Central Arkansas are receiving funding through four grant programs totaling more than $1.3 million.Gov. Asa Hutchinson and other state officials presented grants totaling more than $8.8 million to 78 Arkansas communities and counties at a ceremony held Thursday at the Arkansas State Capitol.

The grants fall into one of four programs administered by Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC): Arkansas Community and Economic Development Grant Program (ACEDP), Rural Services Block Grants, Rural Community Grants and County Fair Building Grants.

Twenty-nine cities and counties received $7,549,432 under the general assistance set-aside of the ACEDP. The funds originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) State Program for Small Cities and are awarded for a variety of public facility and infrastructure projects, such as wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation to senior citizen centers. To be eligible for CDBG funds through this program, communities must have a population of less than 50,000, and at least 51 percent of the persons benefitting from the project must be of low- to moderate-income.

A total of $997,115 was awarded to 15 communities and counties under the Rural Services Block Grant program (also funded through CDBG) to fund new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations, or multi-purpose buildings and the purchase of fire trucks (pumper, tanker, brush or certain service trucks) and firefighting equipment. Grants are up to $75,000, with a required match of 10 percent that may be comprised of in-kind labor, in-kind materials or cash. Only incorporated towns and rural communities with a population of less than 3,000 with at least 51 percent in the low- to moderate-income category are eligible.

A total of $318,505 was awarded to 28 communities and counties under the Rural Community Grant Program within the Rural Services Division to fund projects such as 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.

A total of $23,657 was awarded to six counties under the County Fair Building Grant Program. Fair associations located in counties with a population of 55,000 or less are eligible to apply for up to $4,000 per year through the County Fair Building Grant Program. Communities must provide 50 percent of the cost of the project as match to qualify for the grant.

The next cycle deadline for the Rural Community Grant Program and County Fair Building Grant Program begins March 5, 2020. For more information about grants administered by AEDC, visit Arkansas Economic Development Commission or call 1-800-ARKANSAS.

Recipients of funds from the Arkansas Community and Economic Development Grant Program from North Central Arkansas are

Fulton County – $1,000,000 – water extension
City of Leslie – $132,000 – sidewalks

Recipients of funds from the Rural Services Block Grant Program from North Central Arkansas are

Guion – $43,283 – project N/A
Mt. Judea – $75,000 – fire truck


Photo: Mt. Judea check presentation

Recipients of funds from the Rural Community Grant Program from North Central Arkansas are

Arkana – $6,171 – project N/A
Briarcliff – $15,000 – equipment purchase


Photo: Briarcliff check presentation

Compton Volunteer Fire Department – $15,000 – fire station addition


Photo: Compton check presentation
Galatia – $15,000 – community center improvements


Photo: Galatia check presentation

Jasper – $15,000 – project N/A
Lone Rock Fire Protection District – $10,000 – project N/A
Omaha Rural Fire Department – $15,000 – project N/A
Yellville – $5,250 – park improvements


Photo: Yellville check presentation

Recipients of funds from the County Fair Building Grant Program from North Central Arkansas are

Baxter County – $4,000
Fulton County – $4,000
Izard County – $4,000
Searcy County – $4,000

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