The Arkansas Economic Development Institute at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock announced Friday that it has received a $320,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration to conduct a Land & Resiliency Initiative for the Arkansas-Louisiana Multi-modal Economic Corridor.
The corridor includes Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha and Drew counties in Arkansas and East Carroll, Madison, Morehouse, Richland and West Carroll parishes in Louisiana.
One focus of the two-year project will be identifying land capable of being developed within close proximity of major highways, river ports and rail lines. AEDI will also use its Geographic Information Systems Laboratory to document a radial analysis of the land meeting the specific criteria.
The other focus is developing a disaster preparedness and recovery strategy.
The AEDI is working with the Office of Innovation & Economic Development at Louisiana Tech University on this project. Both will reach out to local officials, business and industry representatives, first responders and other officials for help in documenting flood and tornadic experiences so that future strategies can be developed.
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