Arkansas Economic Development Commission

Governor Sanders Joins AEDC’s Rural Services Division to Award $334K to 33 Arkansas Communities

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– Governor Sanders, along with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services, awarded $344,728.69 in grants to 33 Arkansas cities and counties. 

“These grants go a long way toward making sure that every corner of Arkansas – not just a few big cities – is taken care of,” said Governor Sanders.“These 33 recipients come from across our state, from Yellville to Mulberry. Each one of these grants provides their communities with the tools they need to make Arkansas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

“Rural communities play a major role in the economic success of our state,” said Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Clint O’Neal.“The grants awarded by AEDC’s Division of Rural Services will help rural communities throughout the state improve their infrastructure and quality of life amenities to benefit Arkansans.”

“We are committed to working with and supporting rural communities in Arkansas to help them succeed,” said Director of the Division of Rural Services Becca Caldwell. “With the latest Rural Community Grant Program awards, thirty-three Arkansas cities and counties have additional resources and funding for important projects that will increase quality of life in their communities.”

The Rural Community Grant Program is one of the Division of Rural Services’ programs, which is used to fund projects such as fire trucks, fire protection equipment, community centers, storm sirens, community parks, walking trails, and baseball fields. 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.

The grants are part of the Division of Rural Services’ second cycle of Fiscal Year 2024 grants. AEDC previously awarded $806,125 in grants to 29 Arkansas cities and counties during the 2024 Rural Development Conference in May. 

These are the Arkansas communities receiving grants:

  • Center Hill Fire Department, $15,000

  • City of Foreman, $15,000

  • City of Lakeview, $1,946.78

  • City of McNeil, $6,160.36

  • City of Mulberry, $3,847.84

  • City of Strong, $15,000

  • City of Sulphur Springs, $8,588.60

  • City of Winthrop, $15,000

  • City of Yellville, $6,098.75

  • Cord Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000

  • Cotter-Gassville Rural Fire Protection District, $14,433.08

  • Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, $14,801.93

  • Etowah Volunteer Fire Department, $3,002

  • Grayson Fire Department, $15,000

  • Highfill Volunteer Fire Department, $14,915.92

  • Highway 250 Volunteer Fire Department, $5,718.31

  • Huntsville Fire Department, $6,562.50

  • Keo Fire Department, $13,244

  • Lake City Fire Department, $7,169.97

  • Leslie Volunteer Fire Department, $13,724.85

  • Lincoln Fire Department, $15,000

  • Lutherville-Holman Community, $11,162

  • Luton-Pelsor Volunteer Fire Department, $9,750

  • Norfork Fire Department, $14,406.04

  • Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District, $15,000

  • Pangburn Volunteer Fire Department, $7,124.25

  • Pike County, $4,041.52

  • Prim Fire Department, $14,630

  • Stone County, $15,000

  • Town of Franklin, $8,347.80

  • Tyronza Volunteer Fire Department, $3,832.20

  • Waldron Rural Fire Protection District, $1,250

  • Washington Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000

Tech startup program, ARise, kicks off

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

Arkansas’ tech entrepreneurs have a new tool to use. ARise – Arkansas Innovators, Startups, and Entrepreneurs – was launched Thursday (June 20). It’s an iteration of the Arkansas Statewide Technology Commercialization program formerly known as Innovate Arkansas.

ARise, funded by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and led by Startup Junkie, aims to propel tech and tech-enabled companies in Arkansas.

“Growing technology companies is critical for Arkansas’ long-term economic success. The ARise program is a key element of our strategy for providing support and resources for tech ventures as they scale up in the Natural State,“ said Clint O’Neal, executive director, Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Tech startup program, ARise, kicks off

AEDC director: Income tax dip below four percent ‘sending a message’

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Economic Development Commission Executive Director Clint O’Neal says the push to lower Arkansas’ top personal income tax rate below four percent as well as drop the corporate income tax rate will open the door for more business to come to the state.

Gov. Sarah Sanders is calling the Arkansas General Assembly into session Monday (June 17) to cut personal income tax rates from 4.4% to 3.9%, corporate tax rates from 4.8% to 4.3%, and to expand the homestead tax credit by another $75 to $500 for homeowners.

Appearing on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics, O’Neal said the tax cuts expected to be enacted this week in a legislative special session is psychological and tangible.

AEDC director: Income tax dip below four percent ‘sending a message’

Number of foreign military jets at Fort Smith could rise; basing cost up to $850 million

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The foreign military pilot training center in Fort Smith has yet to become operational or even see its first jet find a home in a hangar, but the number of planes could potentially rise, and the cost to establish the center is also up from initial estimates.

Rob Ator, a retired Air Force colonel and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission director of Military Affairs, said Monday (April 29) that efforts are underway to prepare Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith to handle 48 fighter jets instead of the original 36.

Ebbing, home to the 188th Wing in Fort Smith and co-located with the Fort Smith Regional Airport, was selected in March by the U.S. Air Force to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Finland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Specifically, Singapore is expected to base 12 F-16s at Ebbing, with slots for 24 F-35s from the participating countries.

Number of foreign military jets at Fort Smith could rise; basing cost up to $850 million

Col. Jay “Evil” Spohn, commander of the 188th Wing based at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, on Monday (April 29) addresses attendees of a Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce event.

Conservation education grant funding open for Arkansas schools

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

The state of Arkansas is allocating over three-quarters of a million dollars to help expand conservation education in schools. The $808,146 grant program is a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

AEDC Director of Rural Services Becca Caldwell says enhancing education about the state’s natural resources is key to their goal of economic development, particularly in rural areas.

“We also manage other grant programs that focus on the infrastructure of these rural communities, but when it comes to the wildlife grants themselves, improving quality of life for the community is a big economic driver,” Caldwell said.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-08-18/conservation-education-grant-funding-open-for-arkansas-schools

USDA/McKeand

A grant program from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will make over $800,000 available to schools for conservation education.

Envirotech, AEDC enter into $27 million agreement

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Northeast Arkansas electric vehicle manufacturer, Envirotech, has entered into a $27 million agreement with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The agreement will aid in facility construction and expansion in Osceola, in addition to hiring and training efforts to bring more than 850 full-time employees to Mississippi County.

Corona, Calif.,-based Envirotech announced in February it would bring an $80 million manufacturing plant to Arkansas with the intention to quickly begin aspects of production.

“We’re excited to announce a partnership with AEDC, which is one of many recent announcements showcasing the company’s ability to ramp up EV production and get more commercial EVs on the road to our customers. We have been making tremendous progress. Final assembly is currently taking place in Osceola and facility renovations are underway. As the state’s only licensed auto manufacturer, we’re excited to have AEDC on board as we work to hire and train more than 850 employees,” said Envirotech Vehicles CEO Phillip Oldridge.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/envirotech-aedc-enter-into-27-million-agreement/