LITTLE ROCK — On June 22, 2023, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) approved $702,318,258 in funding for 122 water and wastewater projects serving more than 1,253,000 Arkansans.
This is the largest allocation of funds awarded for water and wastewater in the state of Arkansas to date.
In Clark County, the city of Arkadelphia was approved for a $1.9 million principal loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund. Should the city accept the terms of the loan the funds would be used for a wastewater lift station project, City Manager Gary Brinkley said Thursday afternoon.
The city of Amity is expected to receive a loan of $156,451 and a $469,353 loan with principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
Clark County also was approved for $802,199 in loans with principal forgiveness, also from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
The ANRC approves and provides financial assistance to eligible Arkansas entities from five different programs through loans, loans with principal forgiveness, and grants. A total of $633,138,145 was provided in loans, $68,957,100 in loans with principal forgiveness, and $223,013 in grants.
In addition to project funding, the ANRC approved two grants to the Arkansas Rural Water Association, totaling $190,000, to provide technical assistance to communities for water and wastewater infrastructure across the state. The Commission also approved a $43 million General Obligation Bond Series Resolution, conservation district board appointments, and $1.2 million in funding to conservation districts.
“Water and wastewater infrastructure systems are critically important to the everyday lives of every Arkansan,” said Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture. “The Department of Agriculture and the Natural Resources Commission are pleased to have approved a record level of funding for 122 water and wastewater projects that will serve over one-third of our state’s population.”
