Arkansas Site Development Program

The Arkansas Site Development Program is intended to provide matching funding for site development improvement activities that will enhance industrial site readiness and competitiveness for job-creating projects.

Eligibility

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants:

Cities, towns, and counties in Arkansas
An economic development organization
A chamber of commerce

What sites are eligible for consideration?

Greenfield industrial sites

Minimum of 30 acres contiguous land

Only one site per applicant

Owned or optioned by an eligible applicant (optioned land must be owned by the applicant by the time the grant agreement is executed)

Listed on the Arkansas Site Selection Center Database

What kinds of site development projects are eligible?

Extension and improvement of public infrastructure to the site

Right of way acquisition necessary for the eligible project

Easement acquisition

Soil borings and analysis

Construction costs for site improvements including but not limited to:

Drainage improvements
Easements
Dozer or dirt work
Grading
Site mitigation
Site rehabilitation

Costs associated with site due diligence studies

Other site development related activities deemed necessary by the Commission to improve a site’s competitiveness

What kinds of site development projects are NOT eligible?

Purchase of property (except right of way or easements necessary for the site development project)

Principal and interest on any financed debt

Lease payments

Salaries or benefits for employees

Marketing or advertising

Routine site repair and maintenance

Expenditures incurred prior to the grant award

What are the matching fund requirements and what is considered a matching fund?

An eligible applicant must invest a match that is at least a minimum of 5% of the overall project cost estimate. The matching fund can be in the form of cash, in-kind donations, or a combination of both. Cash matching funds can be in the form of funds appropriated by the local governing body or invested by an economic development organization, nonprofit, or for-profit entity. In-kind matches can include professional or skilled labor donated to support the site development project activity identified in the application.

Click here for the full program rules.

Application Process

How can I apply?

Interested applicants should submit their intent to apply for the Arkansas Site Development program by September 30, 2026 using the link below. After the intent to apply form is submitted, applicants will receive a unique link to submit their application and supporting documentation. Applications and supporting documentation are due by 5pm Central Time on Friday, November 6, 2026.

What supporting documents are needed for my application?

Arkansas Site Development Application Excel Sheet
Project Budget (with total estimated costs, sources of funds, matching funds, and amount of funding requested)
Any quotes or price comparisons for eligible project costs
Notarized Affidavit for any in-kind match
Project Timeline with Milestones
Topography Map
Wetlands Map
Floodplain Map
Zoning Map
Utility Map with lines and line sizes identified
Transportation Map with roads and number of lanes identified
Aerial photographs with site boundaries identified
Parcel Map with all property in the site that is owned, leased, optioned, or has a right of first refusal
Legal description of the property
Deed of current ownership or option to purchase property, if applicable
Copies of any due diligence studies

All supporting documents should be numbered and should clearly identify the Applicant and the type of document being submitted. For example: 1 Hope, Arkansas Project Budget.

What is the Application Process Timeline?

Program Opens: August 25, 2026
Express Intent to Apply and Receive Application Link: August 25 – September 30, 2026
Deadline to Express Intent to Apply: September 30, 2026
Applications Close: November 6, 2026, 5pm CT
Semi-Finalist Sites Notified for Site Visits: Week of December 7, 2026
Site Visits: Week of January 11 or Week of January 18
Notice of Award: April 2027
Applicant Feedback: April/May 2027