AAC
FEATURE
Gov. Asa Hutchinson awards $586,633.14 in Rural Services grants to 49 cities, counties Story courtesy of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission
G
ov. Asa Hutchinson presented grants totaling $586,633.14 to 49 cities and counties throughout Arkansas at a ceremony held today at the annual Arkansas Rural Development Conference, held at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Rural Services grants fall into one of three programs: the Rural Community Grant Program, the County Fair Building Grant Program, and the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Grant Program. All require a 50 percent matching grant to be eligible for the programs. “In order for Arkansas to be a leader on the national stage, we must support our rural communities,” said Hutchinson. “A huge number of Arkansans live in rural areas, and the Rural Services grants go a long way toward improving the quality of life for our citizens who live in areas of the state that may get overlooked by other support programs.” A total of $325,459.58 was awarded to 32 cities and counties under the Rural Community Grant Program. Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in matching funds under the program for community development and fire protection projects. A total of $45,804.56 was awarded to 13 counties under the County Fair Building Grant Program. Under the program, county fairs located in counties with a population of less than 55,000 are eligible for up to $4,000 per fiscal year for construction, renovation or general improvements of buildings or purchase of items shown to directly improve the building or the services that the county fair association may provide. Four counties received a total of $215,369.00 under the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Grant Program to improve roads with a reduced negative environmental impact on priority water re-
County Fair Building Grants
$4,000.00 $3,000.00 $2,600.00 $4,000.00 $2,214.56 $4,000.00 $4,000.00 $4,000.00 $2,000.00 $4,000.00 $7,500.00 $4,000.00 $4,000.00 $3,990.00
Carroll County Cleveland County Conway County Drew County Johnson County Lafayette County Lawrence County Little River County Franklin County Perry County Poinsett County Searcy County Logan County Woodruff County
Arkansas Unpaved Roads Grants Calhoun County Dallas County Independence County Washington County
$27,500.00 $50,369.00 $70,000.00 $67,500.00
sources. The program focuses on best management practices that reduce the impact of sediment and road runoff to streams, rivers, and drinking water supplies while reducing long term unpaved county road maintenance costs.
Right: Conway County recieves a $2,600 County Fair Building Grant. Far right: Perry County receives a $7,500 County Fair Building grant. Photos courtesy of the Governor’s Office. 36
COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2019
