AEDC hosting five grant application process workshops in November

AEDC hosting five grant application process workshops in November

Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) will host five workshops across the state in November regarding procedures for applying for grants administered by its Grants Division. The workshops will also serve as initial public notice of funding availability through the competitive cycle of the 2019 General Assistance program.

The General Assistance program is designed to provide non-entitlement cities and counties with the opportunity to apply for grant assistance for public works and public facility projects that are not covered under other funding categories.  Activities submitted for funding must:

1. Meet one of the national objectives of CDBG program: benefit to at least 51 percent low- to moderate-income persons, elimination of conditions of slum or blight, or to address an urgent need;
2. Be an eligible activity under the regulations that govern the CDBG program;
3. Address a high priority goal in the CDBG Method of Distribution described in the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan; and,
4. Not be eligible for funding under another State CDBG funding program.

 Examples of eligible activities under General Assistance include, but are not limited to: senior and child care centers, public health units, residential water and sewer, drainage, streets and roads, battered women and homeless shelters, abused children centers, facilities for severely disabled adults, food pantries, and ADA modifications. Grant requests should range from $75,000 to a maximum of $200,000 and are due to the Grants Division by March 28, 2019.

Other state CDBG set-aside programs include Rural Services and Economic Development. Eligibility and application information for these CDBG eligible projects will also be available at each workshop, as well as information on how to leverage CDBG funds with other state and federal program funds.

Meeting dates and locations are shown below:

• Thursday, Nov. 8 – North Little Rock; Arkansas Municipal League, Assembly Room, 301 W. Second St.
• Tuesday, Nov. 13 – Dumas; Community Center, 18 Belmont St.
• Wednesday, Nov. 14 – Newport; Newport Economic Development Commission, 201 Hazel St.
• Thursday, Nov. 15 – Mulberry; Community Center, 29 Kirksey Pkwy
• Friday, Nov. 16 – Hope; Hope City Hall, 206 W. Ave. A

Each workshop will begin at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the public. No registration or RSVP is required. For more information, contact Dottie Boyles at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission at 501-682-7682 or [email protected].

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About Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)
Created in 1955 to make Arkansas more competitive in the post-World War II era, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) seeks to create economic opportunity by attracting higher-paying jobs, expanding and diversifying local economies in the state, increasing incomes and investment, and generating positive growth throughout The Natural State. Arkansas is a pro-business environment operating leaner, faster and more focused through a streamlined state government designed to act on corporate interests quickly and decisively. For more information, visit www.ArkansasEDC.com. This news release and others can be found online at www.arkansasedc.com/news-events/newsroom.