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CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grants Awarded to Eight EDA Economic Development Districts in Arkansas

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Trump Administration, through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), has announced the awarding of $3.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to eight EDA Economic Development District organizations across Arkansas. The funds will be used to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The grants are part of the $1.5 billion allocated to EDA under the CARES Act for economic development assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to the pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EDA investments announced today are a total of $3.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to eight EDA Economic Development District organizations across Arkansas.
  • The grants will be used to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • The eight districts receiving grants are: Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, East Arkansas Planning and Development District, Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District, Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Western Arkansas Planning and Development District, and White River Planning and Development District.
  • Each grant recipient will receive $400,000 in CARES Act Recovery Assistance funding to support their respective projects, which include focused research into the economic impacts of the pandemic, providing technical assistance to cities and counties, hiring additional staff to focus on economic development initiatives, and increasing capacity to assist with training and project development and implementation.
  • The CARES Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump, provides EDA with $1.5 billion for economic development assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the grants on behalf of the Trump Administration, praising the perseverance and strength shown by communities across the country and highlighting the importance of allocating CARES Act funds to support economic recovery efforts.

Statistics:

  • $3.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants awarded to eight EDA Economic Development District organizations across Arkansas.
  • $400,000 each grant recipient will receive in CARES Act Recovery Assistance funding.
  • 8 EDA Economic Development Districts receiving grants.
  • $1.5 billion allocated to EDA under the CARES Act for economic development assistance programs.
  • 1.5 billion in CARES Act Recovery Assistance funding available to support economic development initiatives in distressed communities.

Sources:

  • "The Trump Administration is eager to allocate these essential CARES Act funds and deliver on our promise to help American communities recover from the impact of COVID-19." - Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross
  • "I am proud of the perseverance and strength shown by our communities coast to coast throughout this pandemic, and these funds will help provide Arkansas with resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback." - Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross
  • "These investments come at a crucial time to help Arkansas' and our nation's economy come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities." - Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development
  • "The economic harm COVID-19 has brought to communities across Arkansas has been readily apparent." - Senator John Boozman
  • "Investing in development organizations and strategies to help our communities recover and prepare for future growth opportunities makes perfect sense, and I applaud the administration for announcing these grants and prioritizing economic resiliency." - Senator John Boozman
  • "The pandemic has created many challenges, but Arkansans are resolute in pushing forward and emerging stronger." - Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3)

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