The Town of Banks in Bradley County has received two grants totaling nearly $105,000 to help strengthen fire protection and emergency response efforts for the community’s volunteer fire department.
The larger of the two awards is an $89,999.99 Rural Services Block Grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Rural Services Division. The funding will be used to complete electrical and interior work at the town’s new fire station, along with additional improvements to the facility.
In a letter dated March 10, 2026, Rural Services Director Becca Caldwell notified Banks Mayor Keeton Hudson that the town’s application had been recommended and approved for funding through the Fiscal Year 2026 Rural Services Block Grant Program.
Officials with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Grants Management Team will contact city leaders once a formal grant agreement has been signed so work on the project can begin.
State officials are also planning a formal award presentation that may take place during the Rural Development Conference on May 21.
Banks officials thanked the Rural Services Department, Heather Barlow Consulting, Banks city government and the town’s volunteer firefighters for their efforts in securing the grant funding.
In addition to the block grant, the town also announced it has been awarded a 2025 Wildland Fire Suppression Kit Grant valued at $15,000.
According to information released by the town, the grant will provide equipment designed to improve firefighting efficiency and safety for Banks’ volunteer firefighters.
The suppression kit will be purchased by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Once the equipment is ready, the town will be notified to arrange pickup, which is expected to occur in March or April 2026.
The equipment package may include up to 10 sets of fire-resistant coveralls, 10 pairs of wildland firefighting gloves, two backpack pumps, two backpack leaf blowers, four leaf rakes and two McLeod rakes, though final quantities will depend on equipment costs and availability.
