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Three Baxter County communities are set to receive a combined $517,620 in state grants, part of a $12.5 million package Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission announced Monday.
The largest local award goes to the city of Cotter, at $487,620, through the state’s General Assistance Block Grant program. Those grants use federal Community Development Block Grant money to pay for public facilities and infrastructure such as water and sewer lines, streets, drainage and community buildings. The state’s announcement did not say which project Cotter’s grant will fund.
The Cotter Volunteer Fire Department also received $15,000 through the state’s Rural Community Grant program. The department applied for the money to replace its generator, replace 10 oxygen tanks and buy three new sets of turnout gear, according to its request to the state.
The Town of Big Flat received a separate $15,000 Rural Community Grant. That program provides up to $15,000 in 50-50 matching funds to small towns and rural areas for projects such as fire equipment, community centers, storm sirens, parks and walking trails.
Statewide, the 88 grants total $12,522,736 and come from the Community Development Block Grant and rural grant programs. “Arkansas’ success starts with our local communities,” Sanders said in announcing the awards.
Neighboring Twin Lakes area communities also drew awards. In Boone County, Diamond City and the town of Bergman each received $15,000, and in Marion County, the Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District received $15,000, all through the Rural Community Grant program.
