Wynne Gets $1.2M Grant for Road Construction

Wynne High School, which was heavily damaged by a tornado on March 31, 2023 (Nena Zimmer/The Jonesboro Sun via AP)

The U.S. Department of Commerce on Tuesday announced that it’s awarding a $1.2 million grant to Wynne for roadway infrastructure improvements needed to support business expansion in the region.

The grant, awarded through the department’s Economic Development Administration, will help fund a new road to alleviate traffic congestion and help the city rebuild from a damaging tornado in March 2023.

In a news release, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford said, “While small compared to the enormous destruction wrought by the EF-3 tornado just over one year ago, this $1.2 million grant is crucial to the ongoing recovery of Wynne. This community has worked extremely hard to overcome this terrible adversity and begin rebuilding its future. I appreciate EDA for answering the call and allocating this funding to help the good people of Arkansas’s First Congressional District.”

The project is funded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, in which Congress appropriated to EDA $600 million in additional funds for disaster relief and recovery.

“We know the financial and emotional impact that natural disasters have on communities all over America,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in the release. “This EDA investment will ensure that the people of Wynne have the infrastructure they need to support their families, communities, and growing economy in the aftermath of these tragedies.”