Governor Sanders, AEDC Award $25M to 22 Arkansas Communities for Industrial Site Development

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Governor Sarah Sanders joined the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) to award 22 communities with $25 million through the Arkansas Site Development Program.

The communities receiving Arkansas Site Development Program funds include Bradley County, Bentonville, Berryville, Conway, De Queen, El Dorado, England, Grant County, Hempstead County, Hot Spring County, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Jefferson County, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Mississippi County, Newport, Pocahontas, Prescott, Russellville, Searcy, and Stuttgart.

"Every success story starts with a strong foundation, and the Arkansas Site Development Program helps communities build the groundwork essential to keep attracting businesses to our state," said Governor Sanders. "From company-ready sites to our low income taxes and pro-business environment, Arkansas is creating the framework for business success, driving economic growth, and expanding opportunity for generations to come."

To qualify for the program, applicants must have an industrial site of at least 30 contiguous acres of land that is listed on the Arkansas Site Selection Database and that is owned or optioned by the applicant. Eligible applicants include cities and counties, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations.

"The Arkansas Site Development Program is an investment in the long-term growth of our state," said Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald. "Thanks to the leadership of Governor Sanders and the Arkansas General Assembly, the state is partnering with 22 Arkansas communities to take measurable steps and create the conditions necessary to become more economically competitive and win projects. Arkansas is among the top states for its economic outlook, and this program positions us for even greater success in the future, leading to better outcomes for Arkansans and businesses in the state."

AEDC received a total of 29 applications for the latest round of the Arkansas Site Development Program, totaling $73,891,055 in requested funding.

"The Arkansas Site Development Program is focused on helping local communities compete and win economic development projects" said Clint O'Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. "Congratulations to the award recipients - the work we do today developing sites will lead to more and better job opportunities for Arkansans in the coming years."

The funds can be used for a range of site development projects, including the extension and improvement of public infrastructure to the site; right of way acquisition; easement acquisition; soil borings and analysis; construction costs for site improvements, including drainage improvements, easement, dozer or dirt work, grading, site mitigation, and site rehabilitation; due diligence study costs; and other site development-related activities deemed necessary by AEDC to improve a site's competitiveness.

First announced in June 2024, the Arkansas Site Development Program was developed by AEDC with the support of Governor Sanders and the Arkansas General Assembly. In the first round of the Arkansas Site Development Program, AEDC awarded $10 million to 13 Arkansas communities in December 2024. Another round of funding totaling $25 million will be awarded in FY 2027.

View the Arkansas Site Development Program awards below:

• Bradley County Economic Development Corporation - $14,241
• City of Bentonville - $142,500
• City of Berryville - $1,000,000
• City of De Queen - $79,290
• City of England - $75,872
• City of Jacksonville - $51,800
• City of Pocahontas - $1,269,054
• City of Prescott - $52,250
• City of Russellville - $237,546
• Conway County Economic Development Corporation - $1,668,355
• Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, Arkansas - $3,792,543
• El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce - $9,025
• Forward Searcy, Inc. - $680,010
• Grant County Industrial Development Corporation - $1,392,999
• Hempstead County Economic Development Commission - $340,833
• Hot Spring County - $530,000
• Hot Springs Metro Partnership - $2,123,972
• Jonesboro Unlimited - $3,010,000
• Little Rock Port Authority - $6,522,727
• Mississippi County Economic Development - $1,030,743
• Newport Economic Development Commission - $262,800
• Stuttgart Industrial Development Corporation - $585,000

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