The Arkansas Economic Development Commission has awarded more than $350,000 in grants to communities and counties in the state.
This funding was drawn from the Rural Community Grant Program and the County Fair Building Grant Program. In total, AEDC’s Division of Rural Services awarded $356,802.26 to 36 counties and communities.
“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 in a statement. “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.”
With the Rural Community Grant Program, AEDC provided $331,144.65 to 29 counties and communities. This program allows incorporated towns with populations of less than 3,000 and unincorporated rural communities to apply for up to $15,000 in matching funds. This funding is designated for community development and fire protection projects.
Through the County Fair Building Grant Program, AEDC awarded $25,657.61 to seven counties. This grant program allows applicants to apply for grants of up to $4,000 for construction, renovation or building improvements for county fairs in counties with populations of less than 55,000.
The list of grants is below:
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
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