The Arkansas Economic Development Commission on Wednesday announced that its Division of Rural Services had awarded 22 community grants totaling $277,586.60 and one block grant of $75,000 to counties and communities across the state.
The town of South Lead Hill was awarded a $75,000 Rural Services Block Grant. Through the program, grants are available to incorporated towns and rural communities with a population of less than 3,000 and at least 51% of residents with low to moderate income.
Infrastructure funded through the grant may include such projects as new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations, or multi-purpose buildings, and the purchase of fire trucks, the AEDC said in a news release. The match for this grant is 10% and may be comprised of in-kind labor, in-kind materials, or cash.
Under the Rural Community Grant Program, applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 people and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in matching funds for community development and fire protection projects. The program requires a 50% match for counties and communities to qualify.
The 22 communities awarded Rural Community Grants this cycle are:
- Western Greene County Fire District, $15,000
- Avoca Fire Department, $15,000
- City Of Bald Knob, $13,343.50
- City Of Bono, $15,000
- Town of Briarcliff, $15,000
- City Of Clinton, $15,000
- Town Of Colt, $15,000
- Cotter-Gassville Rural Fire Protection District, $12,811.75
- Highland Fire Department, $12,175
- Holland Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000
- City Of Jasper, $15,000
- City Of Leachville, $14,325
- Town Of Lynn, $5,292.10
- Oakland Promise Land Community, $14,707.70
- Ola Fire Department, $15,000
- Pangburn Volunteer Fire Department, $9,000
- Philadelphia Volunteer Fire Department, $6,332.55
- Pineville Fire Department, $14,861
- Town Of Sulphur Rock, $3,238
- City Of Taylor, $6,500
- Tillar Fire Department, $15,000
- Watalula Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000
