Little Rock, AR: Governor Asa Hutchinson, AEDC Executive Director Mike Preston, AEDC VP of Operations Amy Fecher and Rural Services Director Alex Johnston presented $971,204.94 to 14 rural communities selected for funding through the Rural Services Block Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2017. The grant awards were distributed October 13th at an awards ceremony held in the Governor’s Reception Room at the Arkansas State Capitol.
In attendance were representatives receiving an Arkansas Rural Services Block Grant award on behalf of Ravenden in Lawrence County. City of Ravenden is receiving $70,194.99 to purchase a new truck chassis to be used with their current rescue truck-bed pumper.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Division of Rural Services works in partnership with the Arkansas Rural Development Commission to select the Rural Services Block Grant recipients. The grant program is funded through HUD’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program and is administered for the State and Rural Services through a partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Grants Division. Incorporated cities and towns and unincorporated communities in rural areas of less than 3,000 in population and that are 51% or above on the low-to-moderate income scale are eligible to apply for assistance through the mayor or county judge’s office.
For more information about the Arkansas Rural Services Block Grant Program or other funding opportunities, please contact the Division of Rural Services at 1-888-RURALAR.
Pictured from Left to Right:
John Stoll
Sherman Smith, EAPDD
Representative James Ratliff
Fire Chief Larry Dail
ARDC Commissioner Dan Hosman
Mayor James Gibbens
Debra Garcia, AEDC
Governor Asa Hutchinson
ARDC Commissioner Jamie Pafford-Gresham
AEDC Executive Director Mike Preston
AEDC VP Amy Fecher
Rural Services Director Alex Johnston
Senator Blake Johnson