Cost of I-49 segment between Barling and Alma rises to $1 billion

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Federal legislation that delivered $83 million for a foreign pilot training center in Fort Smith also brings to Arkansas $67 million to help complete Interstate 49 between Alma and Barling. Every dollar will be needed. The cost for the almost 14-mile segment has ballooned to $1 billion.

State officials in October 2022 ceremonially broke ground on the 13.7-mile segment that will connect a segment of I-49 in Barling north to the I-40 interchange in Alma. That section will include a bridge over the Arkansas River and have interchanges at Highway 22, Gun Club Road, Clear Creek Road and I-40. The bridge across the Arkansas River will be east of Trimble Lock & Dam and the U.S. 59 bridge. There are 180 miles of the I-49 route to build in Arkansas between Alma and Texarkana.

The MilCon-VA bill recently approved by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden included the $67 million for the work between Alma and Barling. The bill, pushed by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., was primarily focused on providing additional funds and programs for veterans’ health care but included money for other projects.

Cost of I-49 segment between Barling and Alma rises to $1 billion

Arkansas to receive $1 billion from Biden administration for high-speed internet

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The U.S. Department of Commerce released details Monday (June 26) of a $42.45 billion high-speed internet grant program and Arkansas will receive more than $1 billion as a result.

The “Internet for All” initiative is a component of Biden’s “Investing in America” infrastructure agenda.

Arkansas will receive $1,024,303,993.86 through the program. The state must submit a proposal describing how it will run its grant program within 180 days from June 30, 2023.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/arkansas-to-receive-1-billion-from-biden-administration-for-high-speed-internet/

USDA accepting applications for $1 billion in renewable energy REAP grants

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday (March 31) that USDA is accepting applications for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements.

USDA is making the $1 billion in grants available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), with funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Supporting renewable energy and energy-saving systems helps the people of rural America create thriving, livable communities,” Vilsack said. “When we invest in rural communities, we are supporting hard work that sends a ripple effect across our country. Clean energy is critical to the future of our economy, and the Inflation Reduction Act provides the Biden-Harris Administration with the resources to build a more prosperous rural America while tackling the climate crisis and lowering energy costs.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/usda-accepting-applications-for-1-billion-in-renewable-energy-reap-grants/