The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board (CAWDB) is seeking One-Stop Operator for the Central AR Workforce Development Area. The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District is the current One-Stop Operator. CAWDB is an “Equal Opportunity Employer/Program” and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Proposal packages can be obtained online at: https://www.workforcear.com/workforcedevelopmentboard If you have any questions, email Jlyoungquist@ualr.edu . Proposals must be received by November 1, 2024,a no later than 4:00 pm.

A public hearing will be held on October 4 at 6 p.m. at The Carlisle Civic Center located at 215 S. Court St. to identify and prioritize the community needs of the City of Carlisle, determining whether an application for Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program (ACEDP) funds should be developed and if so, for what the community needs. Also, comments on proposed project activities will be discussed, especially those with possible impacts on the community, should the project receive funding. ACEDP funds are federal assistance received by the State of Arkansas and administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. These funds will be made available to cities and counties according to need and can be used for housing rehabilitation, community facilities, or economic development, but must address one of the following objectives: 1. Provide benefits to low and moderate-income families, 2. Aid in the prevention of slums and blight, or 3. Meet other community needs, which pose a serious, immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where no other funding is available to meet such needs. All residents of the City of Carlisle are encouraged to attend the hearing and participate in the community development process. The City of Carlisle will provide technical assistance in developing proposals by groups representing low and moderate-income people.

The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (CAPDD) Boards will meet on Thursday, September 26. The meetings will occur in the CAPDD Office in Lonoke, located at 902 North Center Street. For those who would like to attend these meetings virtually, the information on joining the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone is below. Join Zoom Meeting   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9292459836?pwd=Lzl0V2NPZnJiTWUyc2wrRk5QbGRwdz09 Meeting ID: 929 245 9836 Passcode: 133867 One tap mobile +13126266799,,9292459836#,,,,*133867# US Central Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management District Board of Directors Meeting The counties that make up the Central Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management District are Lonoke, Monroe, and Prairie Counties. The Solid Waste Districts are partners in Solid Waste Management with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Meeting Time: 9:00 a.m. Central Arkansas Chief Elected Officials (CEO) Consortium Meeting CEO Board The CEO Board consists of the County Judges of each county of the Central Arkansas Planning & Development District and the Mayors of those Cities. The CEO Board organizes and appoints the workforce development board. As the Grant Recipient, it also oversees funding allocations within the region. Meeting Time: 9:45 a.m. Central Arkansas Planning and Development District Board of Directors Meeting The governing body of the CAPDD is composed of twenty-five (25) members of the Board of Directors, composed of fifteen (15) local elected officials, and ten (10) private citizens representing the various social and economic elements of the population. Each of the six (6) participating counties in the District is represented by four (4) board members. Minority representation on the Board shall be the same percentage as that of the District population. Meeting Time: 10:30 a.m. About CAPDD As a major tool of the Economic Development Administration, the Development District Program is intended to promote economic growth through multi-county planning and investment. Arkansas's federal and state governments use the Planning and Development Districts as a service delivery system. Faulkner, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski, and Saline Counties are served by the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District. To help District residents, we provide community and economic development services to the local municipalities within each county. The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc. is an “Equal Opportunity Employer/Program” and “auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.”

For More Information Contact: Tina Roush 501-676-2721 MEDIA NOTIFICATION Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board of Directors Meeting to be held Sept. 23 The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board of Directors  will meet on Monday, September 23 at 4 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (CAPDD) office at 902 North Center Street in Lonoke. There is also an option for individuals who cannot attend in person. Below is information to join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone if needed. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9292459836?pwd=Lzl0V2NPZnJiTWUyc2wrRk5QbGRwdz09   Meeting ID: 929 245 9836 Passcode: 133867 One tap mobile +13126266799,,9292459836#,,,,*133867# US To see the agenda click here. About the Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board is made up of representatives from the private sector, non-profits, and government agencies. The Workforce Development Board is mandated by federal legislation to oversee public investments in employment and training programs. The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board is “an equal opportunity employer/program” and “auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities."

Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc. (CAPDD) will be accepting applications/resumes for a part-time Materials Recovery Processor to work at the Lonoke Recycling Center. The hours worked per week will vary and will include weekday evening hours and Saturdays. Material Recovery Processor must possess a formal education equivalent of a high school diploma, must have a valid driver’s license, and auto liability insurance and must have the ability to understand and follow directions as given; Applicant must be knowledgeable of the recycle materials collected at the materials recovery facility. The job duties include directing the public as they come into the material recovery facility to the proper recycling station and providing information on the Central Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management District’s recycling programs. This position will sort, clean, and perform other work necessary to process the recyclables through the bailing, crushing, and loading of the finished product. The applicant selected to fill the position will be required to submit to a drug and alcohol screening after a conditional offer of employment. Interested applicants should submit a resume/application to Tina Roush at CAPDD, P.O. Box 300, Lonoke, AR 72086, or tina.roush@capdd.org . This job announcement will be open until the position is filled. CAPDD is an "Equal Opportunity Employer/Program" and "auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities".

A public hearing will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Third Floor Courtroom of the Lonoke County Courthouse located at 301 N. Center St., Lonoke, AR 72086 to identify and prioritize the community needs of Lonoke County, determining whether an application for Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program (ACEDP) funds should be developed and if so, for what community need. Also, comments on proposed project activities will be discussed, especially those with possible impacts on the community, should the project receive funding. Lonoke County officials ask participants to please use the back entrance of the building at the elevator. ACEDP funds are federal assistance received by the State of Arkansas and administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. These funds will be made available to cities and counties according to need and can be used for community facilities, public infrastructure, or economic development, but must address one of the following objectives: 1. Provide benefits to low and moderate-income families, 2. Aid in the prevention of slums and blight, or 3. Meet other community needs, which pose a serious, immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where no other funding is available to meet such needs. All residents of Lonoke County are encouraged to attend the hearing and participate in the community development process. Lonoke County with CAPDD will provide technical assistance in developing proposals by groups representing low- and moderate-income persons. Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations including interpreter service, Braille, large print, or recorded materials, contact Tanya Childers at 902 N. Center Street, Lonoke, AR 72086 no later than September 12, 2024. Accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking individuals provided that five-day notice is received by Lonoke County.

Port Authority officials gave a tour of the Port of Little Rock to representatives of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA on Thursday, August 22. The visit was for Port Authority officials to show the DRA the projects it helped fund and encourage more investments at the Port. The Delta Regional Authority was established in 2000 to promote and encourage economic development in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. For more information about the DRA, click here . DRA funded two Port Authority projects. Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc. assisted the Port Authority in applying for the DRA funding. DRA first granted $437,499.50 to purchase 100 acres to relocate an FAA navigational VHF Omni Directional Radio Range station, also known as VOR cone. The second project funded was $2 million to extend Pratt Remmel Road and improve two intersections along Lindsey Road. Port Authority and DRA officials also discussed other funding opportunities, including attracting 15 to 20 industries, potentially creating thousands of jobs. For more information on the Port of Little Rock, click here . For more information about CAPDD's Community and Economic Development programs, visit https://www.capdd.org/community-development .

Central Arkansas Planning & Development District, Inc. invites you to the Metro Regional Stakeholders Meeting for Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski, and Saline Counties. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 10 at 11 a.m. at the Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center in Little Rock. At the meeting, CAPDD staff, city and county staff, economic developers, Federal and State funding agencies, Metroplan, and the Small Business Administration network, share ideas and grant opportunities, challenges, and what's happening in the area. For more information, contact Conya Spencer by phone at 501-676-2721 or by email at conya.spencer@capdd.org.

The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (CAPDD) Board of Directors  will meet on Thursday, August 22 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will take place in the CAPDD Office in Lonoke, which is located at 902 North Center Street. For those who would like to attend these meetings virtually, the information to join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone is below. Join Zoom Meeting   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9292459836?pwd=Lzl0V2NPZnJiTWUyc2wrRk5QbGRwdz09 Meeting ID: 929 245 9836 Passcode: 133867 One tap mobile +13126266799,,9292459836#,,,,*133867# US About the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District Board of Directors The governing body of the CAPDD is composed of twenty-five (25) members of the Board of Directors, fifteen (15) local elected officials, and ten (10) private citizens representing the various social and economic elements of the population. Each of the six (6) participating counties in the District is represented by four (4) board members. Minority representation on the Board shall be the same percentage as the District population. The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc. is an “Equal Opportunity Employer/Program” and “auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.”

The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration announces $65,000,000 in grant funds for the fifth round of the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants program. The grant aims to build community colleges' capacity to meet the skill development needs of employers and equally support students in obtaining jobs in in-demand industries. The Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants (Round 5) will close on September 24, 2024 at 10:59 p.m. Central Time. Applications should be submitted through www.grants.gov . For complete application and submission information, see Section IV of the packet below. To see frequently asked questions about the Strengthen Community Colleges Training Grants FOA, click this link: Funding Opportunities | U.S. Department of Labor ( dol.gov ) .

The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (CAPDD) Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, July 25 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will take place in the CAPDD Office in Lonoke, which is located at 902 North Center Street. For those who would like to attend these meetings virtually, the information to join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone is below. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9292459836?pwd=Lzl0V2NPZnJiTWUyc2wrRk5QbGRwdz09 Meeting ID: 929 245 9836 Passcode: 133867 One tap mobile +13126266799,,9292459836#,,,,*133867# US About the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District Board of Directors The governing body of the CAPDD is composed of twenty-five (25) members of the Board of Directors, composed of fifteen (15) local elected officials, and ten (10) private citizens representing the various social and economic elements of the population. Each of the six (6) participating counties in the District is represented by four (4) board members. Minority representation on the Board shall be the same percentage as that of the District population. The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc. is an “Equal Opportunity Employer/Program” and “auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.”

On Wednesday, three Planning and Economic Development District Directors participated in a panel discussion during an Arkansas Community & Economic Development Alliance (ACEDA) meeting. Dwayne Pratt, Executive Director of the West Central Arkansas Planning & Development District, Rodney Larsen, Executive Director of the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Renee Dycus, Executive Director of the Southwest Arkansas Planning & Development District, and April Campbell with the U.S. Economic Development Administration discussed the impact of districts assisting cities and counties in acquiring grant funds. ACEDA comprises representatives from government agencies and organizations that support Arkansas communities, regions, nonprofits, businesses, and other organizations. ACEDA links Arkansas's local governments, organizations, and businesses to technical assistance, potential funding opportunities, and other needed resources. They also provide networking opportunities for partners through quarterly meetings. The partners share information about programs and services with each other. Members can also partner for projects to better meet state and local needs. The next ACEDA meeting is Wednesday, October 16 at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service at 2310 S. University Avenue in Little Rock. For more information on ACEDA, visit https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/community-workforce-development/funding-and-assistance/ .

Saline County officials say "incredible progress" has been made since the final phase of the Old River Bridge restoration project began on March 11, 2024.   County officials posted the following video on their Facebook and X on July 5.   The bridge, built in 1889, is set to return to its original location over the Saline River between Haskell and Benton.   The bridge was listed on the  National Register of Historic Places  in 1977. It is also on the list of Most Endangered Historic Places. The restored bridge will be a critical link in the proposed Southwest Trail, a multi-use trail from Little Rock to Hot Springs, providing the needed Saline River crossing for the trail while preserving an important piece of transportation history.     Central Arkansas Planning and Development District helped Saline County secure grant funding.   The Southwest Trail is a joint venture of Pulaski, Saline, and Garland Counties.  Cities along the proposed trail have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to build the trail.  Several cities along the route are building sections of the trail as funding permits and ROW has been obtained for other sections.   The project will provide a healthy non-motorized transportation option, along with recreational benefits. The trail is also expected to bring tourism and produce other economic development benefits for communities along the route.   In the video, Saline County Communications Director Trevor Villines said once the Old River Bridge restoration is complete, it will be the oldest bridge in Arkansas in its original location.   Villines said contractors drilled three sets of piers, "approximately  31 feet," into the ground on the banks and into the river in April and May.   Thirty-foot-tall Steel casings were erected on the site from June through July.   Concrete was poured in the first week of July for the steel casings on the Haskell side of the river.   According to Villines, contractors have begun work on the approaches for both sides of the river.   The approach includes a concrete bent supported by three steel pilings that will go about 40 feet into the ground.   Saline County officials say the project is expected to be completed in Spring 2025.

The City of Conway receives a $1.5 Million grant from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to improve the water and sewer infrastructure.   The grant will support manufacturing business growth at Conway Industrial Park, improve fire flow to city residents, and support additional redevelopment projects. The grant is matched with $2.1 Million in local funds.   CAPDD was the grant administrator and assisted the City of Conway and Conway Corp in preparing the grant application for submission.  “The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to help make communities in Arkansas and across the country stronger and more resilient,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support  major upgrades to Conway’s water and sewer infrastructure, providing the foundation for sustainable regional economic growth.”   “The Economic Development Administration works closely with communities to support locally-led economic development,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will support business growth and public safety, creating jobs and strengthening the regional economy.”   “Economic growth is not possible without adequate infrastructure and visionary leadership. Conway has consistently done an excellent job providing both to advance opportunities that benefit the community and region. I’m pleased this investment will expand that potential, spur business development, and enhance water systems by partnering with the city and private industry,” said Senator John Boozman.   “I am pleased that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is supporting economic development in Conway, Arkansas,” said Representative French Hill (AR-02). “As the fastest growing city in the state, EDA’s investment in Conway will support important water and sewer infrastructure projects, further bolstering economic growth and creating jobs in the Conway community.”   For more information about the U.S. Economic Development Administration, visit www.eda.gov .   For more information about CAPDD's Community and Economic Development programs, visit https://www.capdd.org/community-development .

The Saline County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update is open for public review and comment until July 15, 2024. The Mitigation Plan was a joint effort between Saline County, the City of Alexander, Bauxite, Benton, Bryant, Haskell, Shannon Hills, Traskwood, the Bauxite, Benton, Bryant, and Harmony Grove School Districts, and coordinated by the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District. Saline County developed the original Saline County Multi-Jurisdictional Plan with the assistance of the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District and approved by FEMA on April 28, 2009. The Saline County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update will be used to develop and assess the ongoing natural hazard mitigation activities in Saline County, to evaluate additional mitigation measures that should be undertaken, and to outline a strategy for implementing mitigation projects. The Saline County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update draft can be reviewed at https://www.capdd.org/community-development or below.

A public hearing will be held on July 15, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cabot Event Center located at 508 N. Lincoln St., Cabot, AR 72023 for the purpose of identifying and prioritizing the community needs of the City of Cabot, determining whether an application for Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program (ACEDP) funds should be developed and if so, for what community need. Also, comments on proposed project activities will be discussed, especially those with possible impacts on the community, should the project receive funding. ACEDP funds are federal assistance received by the State of Arkansas and administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. These funds will be made available to cities and counties according to need and can be used for community facilities, public infrastructure, or economic development, but must address one of the following objectives: 1. Provide benefit to low and moderate income families, 2. Aid in the prevention of slum and blight, or 3. Meet other community needs, which pose a serious, immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where no other funding is available to meet such needs. All residents of the City of Cabot are encouraged to attend the hearing and participate in the community development process. The City of Cabot will provide technical assistance in developing proposals by groups representing low- and moderate-income persons. The meeting will also be available on Facebook Live through the City of Cabot Facebook Page . Written comments can be submitted via email to conya.spencer@capdd.org until 4:30 pm, October 1, 2024. Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations including interpreter service, Braille, large print, or recorded materials, please contact Conya Spencer at 902 N. Center Street, Lonoke, AR 72086, PH# 501-676-2721 no later than July 10, 2024. Accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking individuals provided that seven-day notice is received by the City of Cabot.

The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (CAPDD) Boards will meet on Thursday, June 20. The meetings will take place in the CAPDD Office in Lonoke, which is located at 902 North Center Street. For those who would like to attend these meetings virtually, the information to join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone is below. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9292459836?pwd=Lzl0V2NPZnJiTWUyc2wrRk5QbGRwdz09 Meeting ID: 929 245 9836 Passcode: 133867 One tap mobile +13126266799,,9292459836#,,,,*133867# US Central Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management District Board of Directors Meeting The counties that make up the Central Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management District are Lonoke, Monroe and Prairie Counties. The Solid Waste Districts are partners in Solid Waste Management with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Meeting Time: 9:00 a.m. Central Arkansas Chief Elected Officials (CEO) Consortium Meeting CEO Board The CEO Board consists of the County Judges of each county of the Central Arkansas Planning & Development District and the Mayors of those Cities. The CEO Board organizes and appoints the workforce development board. As the Grant Recipient, it also oversees funding allocations within the region. Meeting Time: 9:45 a.m. Central Arkansas Planning and Development District Board of Directors Meeting The governing body of the CAPDD is composed of twenty-five (25) members of the Board of Directors, composed of fifteen (15) local elected officials and ten (10) private citizens representing the various social and economic elements of the population. Each of the six (6) participating counties in the District is represented by four (4) board members. Minority representation on the Board shall be the same percentage as that of the District population. Meeting Time: 10:30 a.m. About CAPDD As a major tool of the Economic Development Administration, the Development District Program is intended to promote economic growth through multi-county planning and investment. Both the federal and state governments in Arkansas use the Planning and Development Districts as a service delivery system. Faulkner, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski, and Saline Counties are served by the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District. To help District residents, we provide community and economic development services to the local municipalities within each county. The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc. is an “Equal Opportunity Employer/Program” and “auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.”

For More Information Contact: Tina Roush 501-676-2721 MEDIA NOTIFICATION Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board of Directors Meeting to be held June 10 The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board of Directors will meet on Monday, June 10 at 4 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (CAPDD) office at 902 North Center Street in Lonoke. There is also an option for individuals who cannot attend in person. Below is information to join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9292459836?pwd=Lzl0V2NPZnJiTWUyc2wrRk5QbGRwdz09 Meeting ID: 929 245 9836 Passcode: 133867 One tap mobile +13126266799,,9292459836#,,,,*133867# US About the Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board comprises representatives from the private sector, non-profits, and government agencies. The Workforce Development Board is mandated by federal legislation to oversee public investments in employment and training programs. The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board is “an equal opportunity employer/program” and “auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities."

Central Arkansas Planning & Development invites you to join us for the Rural Regional Stakeholders Meeting on Wednesday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at our Lonoke office, which is located at 902 N. Center Street. The quarterly meeting is for CAPDD staff, city and county staff, economic developers, Federal and State funding agencies, Metroplan, and the Small Business Administration to network, share ideas, and grant opportunities, challenges, and what's happening in the area. For more information, contact Conya Spencer by phone at 501-676-2721 or by email at conya.spencer@capdd.org.

Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc. has completed a draft of the 2024-2028 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and is presenting the draft for public review and comment. The draft of the 2024-2028 CEDS report can be reviewed either at https://www.capdd.org/ceds or below. As a designated Economic Development District (EDD) by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), CAPDD develops a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the six-county region. The District is composed of all the county governments and incorporated municipalities within the counties of Faulkner, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski, and Saline Counties. This CEDS plan follows the new guidelines the US Economic Development Administration released in September 2016. It is a strategy-driven plan developed by a diverse work group of local representatives from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. The comment period begins on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, and concludes on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Public comments will be considered in the final draft of the 2024-2028 CEDS report, which will be submitted to the EDA. Written comments must be received by Friday, June 7 at 4:30 p.m. by mail to CAPDD, Attn: Conya Spencer, P.O. Box 300, Lonoke, AR, 72086, or by email to conya.spencer@capdd.org with the subject "Comment on 2024-2028 CEDS Report." CAPDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) has announced two Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) were awarded to two projects in Lonoke County. Lonoke County received a $500,000 grant to build a developmentally disabled vocational training facility. The vocational training facility will be near Cabot. Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc. (CAPDD) handles the application development, application submission, and administering of the awarded grant to ensure all HUD guidelines are followed. "It's going to be a really big asset to Lonoke County and to those with developmental disabilities," said Conya Spencer, Director of Economic Development for CAPDD. This project was also awarded an additional $500,000 DRA  grant that CAPDD helped procure. The City of Lonoke received a $498,874 grant to rehabilitate sewer lines. The grant will help wastewater rehabilitate a portion of the sanitary sewer system, which is on the East side of town on Brown Street, Palm Street, and parts of Fletcher Street. CAPDD was the grant administrator and applied on behalf of the City of Lonoke. CAPDD and the city held a community meeting to discuss areas of improvement needed. "The system is old, antiquated, and failing," said Leigh Ann Pool, Director of Environmental Management for CAPDD. "They're not moving the pipe but upgrading." An engineer has been procured. The next steps are preparing the plans, and specs and hiring a contractor. Pool said once this portion of the project is completed, CAPDD and the City of Lonoke will apply for additional grants to continue rehabilitating sewer lines. In total, AEDC awarded $8,478,624 to 17 Arkansas cities and counties, including: •     Columbia County, $500,000, after-school youth center •     Dierks, Howard County, $499,743, water system improvements •     Dumas, Desha County, $499,935, sewer system improvement •     East Camden, Ouachita County, $499,420, sewer system improvements •     Garland City, Miller County, $500,000, pond levee improvements •     Hope, Hempstead County, $500,000, wastewater system improvements •     Jennette, Crittenden County, $500,000, water system improvements •     Kensett, White County, $499,750, wastewater treatment plant improvements •     Kingsland, Cleveland County, $500,000, pump station improvements and pipe repairs •     Lockesburg, Sevier County, $500,000, water tank improvements •     Logan County, $485,556, senior center renovations •     Lonoke, Lonoke County, $498,874, sewer line rehabilitation •     Lonoke County, $500,000, developmentally disabled vocational training facility •     Pangburn, White County, $500,000, wastewater collection system rehabilitation •     Peach Orchard, Clay County, $498,920, water line rehabilitation •     Sparkman, Dallas County, $496,426, wastewater rehabilitation •     Van Buren County, $500,000, road improvements The grants were awarded under the General Assistance set-aside, part of Arkansas's $17.8 million FY 2023 formula grant allocation, designed to provide communities the opportunity to apply for various non-housing public facility and public infrastructure projects. The funds are from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant State Program for Small Cities. “When the federal government works right, in coordination with state and local experts, the results can be fantastic. The Community Development Block Grant program is a great example of state and federal collaboration,” said Governor Sanders. “This year’s seventeen recipients come from all across our state, from Garland City in the southwest to Peach Orchard in the northeast. Each one of these grants advances our administration’s priorities of improving our education system, investing in workforce readiness, and ensuring that every Arkansan has access to safe and clean drinking water.” AEDC is highlighting the awards in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the CDBG Progra