Governor Sanders and AEDC Award $11.9M to Arkansas Communities

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 22, 2025) – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission have awarded more than $11.9 million in funding to Arkansas cities, counties, and communities.

Governor Sanders joined AEDC officials to present the grants during an awards ceremony at the Governor’s Conference Room in Little Rock on Thursday. Representatives from the Arkansas communities attended to accept the grant awards.

“From Norfork to McGehee to Horatio, Arkansans across the state deserve to live in safe, vibrant communities, and that’s why these grants are so important,” said Governor Sanders. “Not only will this funding go towards critical infrastructure projects throughout the Natural State, but it will also fund community parks, walking trails, youth centers, and more – projects that will improve residents’ quality of life and ensure our towns and cities are great places to call home.”

In total, $11,917,562.72 was awarded through the General Assistance Community Development Block Grant, Rural Services Block Grant, and Rural Community Grant programs. Sixty-five grants were awarded across the three programs.

“In Arkansas, strong communities are the foundation of our success,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Grants awarded through AEDC’s Division of Rural Services and the Grants Division help communities provide needed resources, equipment, and services that keep our communities strong and healthy.”

There were a combined 36 grants, totaling $11,546,309.95, awarded from the Community Development Block Grant programs. The grants were awarded under the General Assistance and Rural Services Block Grant set-asides, part of Arkansas’s $17.48 million 2024 formula grant allocation, which is designed to provide communities the opportunity to apply for a variety of non-housing public facility and public infrastructure projects. These funds originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) State Program for Small Cities.

An additional 29 grants totaling $371,252.77 were awarded through the State's Rural Community Grant Program.

“In Arkansas, our rural communities are crucial to the state’s economy and our team works to ensure that rural communities have the resources they need to succeed” said Becca Caldwell, Director of Rural Services for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “We are proud to award the Rural Community Grants to these 29 Arkansas communities and to award the Rural Services Block Grants to these 16 Arkansas communities to help improve their infrastructure and quality of life offerings, which positions them and our state for continued success.”

"This latest round of CDBG awards from the General Assistance set-aside support vital public facility and infrastructure projects aimed at building stronger and more economically resilient communities," said Jean Noble, Director of the Grants Division for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. "These funds represent the State’s commitment to addressing critical needs while empowering our local partners to prioritize and enhance their own capacity. With these CDBG investments, we are working strategically to foster a better standard of living across the more rural areas of the State.”

State CDBG funds are utilized for a variety of public facility and public 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 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 (pumper, tanker, brush, or certain service 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, 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 50/50 matching funds under the program.

View the full list of recipients and awards below:

General Assistance Block Grants

• Norfork, Baxter County, $459,900.00, wastewater treatment rehabilitation
• Benton County, $1,000,000.00, water line extension
• Whelen Springs, Clark County, $499,650.00, water storage tank rehabilitation
• Piggott, Clay County, $499,950.00, water system improvements
• Columbia County, $499,730.00, Lake Columbia spillway rehabilitation
• Black Oak, Craighead County, $500,000.00, new wastewater collection system
• McGehee, Desha County, $499,995.00, lift station improvements
• Salem, Fulton County, $500,000.00, wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation
• Franklin County, $496,675.00, disabled adults learning center building renovations
• Paragould, Greene County, $337,580.00, storm siren replacement
• Nashville, Howard County, $500,000.00, wastewater treatment facility improvements
• Oxford, Izard County, $500,000.00, wastewater treatment facility upgrades
• Cabot, Lonoke County, $499,908.00, developmentally disabled building expansion
• Keiser, Mississippi County, $499,989.00, drainage projects
• Wrightsville, Pulaski County, $499,902.00, street and drainage repaving and repair
• O’Kean, Randolph County, $450,000.00, storm shelter construction
• Mansfield, Sebastian County, $492,111.00, sidewalk and crosswalk construction
• Cave City, Sharp County, $500,000.00, sewer main improvements
• Farmington, Washington County, $396,392.00, senior center renovations
• Garner, White County, $500,000.00, safe room

Rural Services Block Grant

• City of Montrose, Ashley County, $91,988.95, radios and turnout gear
• Benton County, $66,750.00, roof renovation
• Town of Egypt, Craighead County, $100,000.00, new HVAC system and generator
• Town of Viola, Fulton County, $100,000.00, new brush truck
• Town of Pratsville, Grant County, $31,946.00, side by side unit and trailer for rescue operations
• Town of Pineville, Izard County, $100,000.00, pumper truck, utility vehicle, and associated equipment
• Lafayette County, $100,000.00, fire equipment
• Town of Ravenden, Lawrence County, $97,000.00, new pumper truck
• City of Huntsville, Madison County, $88,853.00, equipment for special rescue team
• Town of St. Paul, Madison County, $100,000.00, fire department substation construction
• Town of Etowah, Mississippi County, $100,000.00, new pumper truck
• City of Bearden, Ouachita County, $100,000.00, new fire station construction
• City of DeValls Bluff, Prairie County, $100,000.00, fire equipment
• Scott County, $50,001.00, telecommunications equipment and pumper truck
• City of Marshall, Searcy County, $87,989.00, addition to fire department building
• City of Ash Flat, Sharp County, $100,000.00, new pumper truck

Rural Community Grants

• Cotter-Gassville RFPD, Baxter County, $14,413.82, new tires and fire equipment
• Valley Springs FD, Boone County, $15,000.00, turnout gear
• Pansy FD, Cleveland County, $4,024.00, new fire hoses
• Brookland FPD, Craighead County, $15,000.00, fire protection equipment
• City of Bono, Craighead County, $15,000.00, heat and air unit replacement
• Dyer Fire Department, Crawford County, $9,844.56, pumper truck equipment replacement
• Cherry Valley FD, Cross County, $15,000.000, jaws of life equipment
• Altus Rural FPD, Franklin County, $3,500.00, remodeling for fire station
• Watalula VFD, Franklin County, $4,375.00, new radios
• Sturkie VFD, Fulton County, $15,000.00, new SCBAs and face masks
• Grapevine FD, Grant County, $15,000.00, new skid unit UTV
• City of Washington, Hempstead County, 15,000.00, new tractor
• Cerro Gordo FD, Little River County, $15,000.00, replace fire vehicle
• Peel VFD, Marion County, $15,000.00, replacement pumper truck
• City of Mount Ida, Montgomery County, $15,000.00, Veterans Memorial flag display foundation infrastructure
• Perryville VFD, Perry County, $13,699.44, new turnout gear
• City of Antoine, Pike County, $9,000.00, community center electrical system
• Murfreesboro FD, Pike County, $15,000.00, new SCBAs
• City of Grannis, Polk County, $12,870.99, new storm siren
• City of DeValls Bluff, Prairie County, $15,000.00, new storm siren
• Marshall FD, Searcy County, $11,006.25, jaws of life equipment
• Town of Gilbert, Searcy County, $14,309.75, remodeling for fire station/community center
• Milltown-Washburn, Sebastian County, $14,599.00, pumper truck equipment
• White Bluff-Rye Hill, Sebastian County, $14,607.51, fire truck equipment
• Horatio FD, Sevier County, $5,002.45, radios and AED machines
• Hardy VFD, Sharp County, $15,000.00, new SCBAs and face mask
• Lincoln FD, Washington County, $15,000.00, equipment and turnout gear
• West Fork FD, Washington County, $15,000.00, equipment replacement
• Albion Volunteer FD, White County, $15,000.00, new SCBAs

Download photos from the awards ceremony here.

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About the Arkansas Economic Development Commission

At AEDC, we know economic advancement doesn’t happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success. AEDC is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce. To learn more, visit ArkansasEDC.com.