Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in matching funds under this program. The match ratio on the program is 50/50. Communities wishing to apply for projects under the program must provide one half of the cost of the project as match. Match may be comprised of in-kind labor, in-kind materials or cash and must be available at the time of application. Applications for this program are accepted August through March of each year. Communities in the past have received funding for baseball/softball fields, community centers, walking tracks, park and playground equipment, pavilions, picnic tables, and library shelving. 

Applications for Fiscal Year 2009, Cycle II are being accepted through December 19, 2008.

Click here to download guidelines and application forms.

Rural Fire Protection Grant Program

Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in matching funds under this program. The match ratio on the program is 50/50. Communities wishing to apply for projects under the program must provide one half of the cost of the project as match. Match may be comprised of in-kind labor, in-kind materials or cash and must be available at the time of application. Applications for this program are accepted August through March of each year. Communities in the past have received funding for new fire stations, additional bays for existing stations, turn-out gear, communications equipment, fire trucks, SCBA's, extrication equipment and brush trucks. 

Applications for Fiscal Year 2009, Cycle II are being accepted through December 19 , 2008.

Click here to download guidelines and application forms.

Rural Services Block Grant Program

The RSBGP funds new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations, or multi-purpose buildings, and the purchase of fire trucks (pumper, tanker, brush or certain service trucks). This grant is made possible through a partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Applicants are eligible for up to $30,000, or possibly $50,000 with a letter of request to DRS Director Butch Calhoun. The match for this grant is 10% and may be comprised of in-kind labor, in-kind materials or cash.

Grants are available to incorporated towns and rural communities with a population of less than 3,000.
Additionally, the community population must be at least 51% Low to Moderate income. Click here to find your community’s LMI rating on the LMI Percentages by County and City 2000 Census.

NOTE: If your community is not listed on the LMI Percentages by County and City 2000 Census list OR your community has not already completed an LMI Survey, you will be required to conduct an LMI Survey to determine your community’s eligibility. You can request information about conducting an LMI Survey by emailing lindsey.jester@arkansas.gov or calling 1-888-787-2527.

The deadline for Fiscal Year 2009 is December 19, 2008.

Click here download guidelines and application forms.

County Fair Building Grant Program

County fairs located in counties with a population of less than 55,000 are eligible for up to $4,000 per fiscal year for construction, renovation or general improvements of county fair buildings or purchase of items shown to directly improve the building or the services that the county fair association may provide. The deadline for Fiscal Year 2010 is yet to be determined .

Click here to view the application for Fiscal Year 2010.

To see the improvements made with past funding follow the link below:

announcelinks\countyfairgrantees.htm

Limitations

Projects NOT eligible for funding consideration under the Rural Community Development Grant Program, Rural Fire Protection Grant Program, and Rural Block Grant Program include, but are not limited to:

• municipal buildings (courthouses, city halls, police stations, sheriffs offices, and city or county jails);
  
  
• cemetery and other facility fencing and maintenance;
  
  
• chatting and paving of driveways and parking lots;
  
  
• fairground and rodeo construction owned by incorporated associations (see DRS County Fair Building Grant Program for fairground projects only)
  
  
• costs associated with normal day-to-day operations or maintenance;
  
  
• debt financing of any type (new or existing). Debt financing is defined for the purpose of this program as reimbursement of new or existing loans, loan payments, or reimbursement for equipment, facilities, labor, or property already purchased or constructed;
  
  
• training, travel, or other personnel related expenses;
  
  
• contingency fees.
  
  
• County health units
  
  
• Preschools
  
  
• Transfer stations
  
  
• Water projects
  
  
• Emergency shelters
  
  
• Elections, and
  
  
• Private, non-profit associations