LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson presented $322,475 to 29 rural communities selected for Fiscal Year 2015 Cycle III funding through the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Programs May 21 as part of an awards ceremony held during the Arkansas Rural Development Conference.
In attendance were representatives receiving a pair of Arkansas Rural Community Development Grants on behalf of Howard County. Howard County received $4,000 to construct a greenhouse at the Howard County Farmers Market and the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department received $2,400 for new radios and radio equipment.
The Arkansas Rural Development Conference was held May 19-21 in downtown Little Rock at the Marriott Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center. Keynote speakers throughout the conference included Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward and Governor Asa Hutchinson. Also in attendance were over 70 state legislators and more than 500 mayors, county judges, fire services personnel, state and federal agency representatives and local community leaders representing all corners of rural Arkansas. The Rural Advocate of the Year Award was presented to former Rural Development Commission chair, Sam E. Angel II. Mr. Angel was awarded a plaque from the Governor during the awards luncheon on Thursday.
The Department of Rural Services works in partnership with the Arkansas Rural Development Commission to administer the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Programs in three cycles each year. Incorporated cities and towns and unincorporated communities in rural areas of less than 3,000 in population are eligible to apply for assistance through the mayor or county judge’s office.
For more information about the Department of Rural Services and their grant programs contact Director Alex Johnston at 1-888-RURAL-AR.
