Governor Sanders Joins AEDC’s Rural Services Division to Award $334K to 33 Arkansas Communities

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 6, 2024) – The Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services awarded $344,728.69 in grants to 33 Arkansas cities and counties.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented the grants, alongside AEDC officials, during an award ceremony at the Governor's Conference Room in Little Rock. Representatives from the Arkansas communities attended to accept the Rural Community Grant Program awards.

“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 Governor 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 Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “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 Becca Caldwell, director of the Division of Rural Services. “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.”

For cities and counties interested in applying for Fiscal Year 2025 grants, the next application cycle deadline is August 8, 2024. More information about the programs, as well as deadlines, can be found at www.arkansasedc.com/Rural-Services/division.

Photos of the grant recipients can be viewed here.

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