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Arkansas cities, counties and nonprofits can begin applying July 1 for a state grant program that funds local community and economic development projects.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission announced that applications for the Community Assistance Grant Program will open for the 2027 fiscal year. The commission will distribute $10 million in this award cycle, and eligible applicants can seek up to $1.5 million for qualified projects.
The program is a 20% matching grant meant to create economic opportunity, reduce poverty, promote self-sufficiency and revitalize communities. Recipients must provide a 20% match through cash, in-kind labor, in-kind materials or land, with the amount set during the application review.
Because demand is high, the commission said it plans to prioritize projects this cycle that fight childhood food insecurity, address unemployment, promote education and serve crime victims. It also intends to favor projects that provide housing, nutrition or emergency services.
“A strong state starts with strong communities,” Sanders said in the announcement. She described the program as offering Arkansans a hand up rather than a handout, helping them build stability and find opportunity.
Clint O’Neal, executive director of the commission, said the program is a statewide effort to give communities the resources they need to revitalize and improve their quality of life. Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald said local communities are critical to the state’s economic growth.
The application period runs from July 1 to Aug. 15. The commission expects to announce awards in the early fall.
For more information or to apply, visit the Arkansas Economic Development Commission website.
