Grants
The Grants Management unit manages the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program projects for the State of Arkansas. These funds are used to improve the quality of life for rural citizens of Arkansas, by making grants to cities and counties for community and economic development.
What is CDBG?
Congress created the Community Development Block Grant program in 1974 to assist low and moderate-income families, for the prevention and elimination of slums or blight, and to address other urgent community development needs. Eligible activities under the CDBG program include the construction of water and wastewater systems, childcare facilities, senior citizen centers, public health facilities and multi-purpose community centers. In addition, funds are provided for fire protection improvements and for economic development pursuits whose primary focus is the creation of jobs for low and moderate-income families.
Where does the money come from?
Funding for CDBG grants come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and are administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Who is eligible for these resources?
The following cities receive their CDBG funding directly from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and are not eligible for funds from this program:
| Bentonville | Fayetteville |
| Conway | Hot Springs |
| Fort Smith | Jacksonville |
| Jonesboro | Little Rock |
| North Little Rock | Pine Bluff |
| Rogers | Springdale |
| Texarkana | West Memphis |
All other cities and counties are eligible for the program, providing that at least 51% of the persons benefiting from the project are of low to moderate income, or that the project meets one of the other national objectives.
What are these resources?
The CDBG grants come from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department and are administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
How much money is available and how is it distributed?
Over the last few years, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission has received an average of $19.3 million a year for the CDBG program. Funds are distributed according to priorities established under a five-year Consolidated Plan. This plan covers all agencies that receive funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Each year, the Economic Development Commission holds public meetings and hearings across the state to obtain citizen input on community needs. The Department then prepares a plan to distribute and spend the money. The Consolidated Plan is published and made available to the public at key locations around the state. Anyone who wants to make comments on the plan should do so by calling or writing the Department.
Please call (501) 682-1211 or 1-800-ARKANSAS to learn more about the services listed above.