Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) announced Monday that more than $12.5 million has been awarded to Arkansas communities through 88 grants from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Rural Services Block Grant, and Rural Community Grant programs.
According to the AEDC, the grants will fund a variety of projects, including public infrastructure improvements, community centers, fire stations, parks, walking trails, flood control, drainage projects, public health facilities, and fire protection equipment.
Several communities in the Deltaplex region received funding through the latest round of awards.
Among the largest awards, Marianna received $500,000 through the Community Development Block Grant program, while Widener was awarded $500,000 and Jackson County received $387,630.
Under the Rural Services Block Grant program, Tillar received $100,000, while Ashley County was awarded $89,999.74.
Additional Rural Community Grant recipients in the region included Drew County, which received $13,495.50, the Hughes community in St. Francis County, which received $8,012.32, the Star City Fire Department, which received $7,259, and Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department in Cleveland County who received $6,758.75.
The Community Development Block Grant program supports public facilities, infrastructure and economic development projects.
Rural Services Block Grants help fund construction and renovation of community buildings, fire stations and emergency equipment, while Rural Community Grants provide funding for fire departments, parks, storm sirens, walking trails and other community improvement projects.
No grants were awarded to Jefferson County in this round of funding.
