Cotter has been awarded nearly $503,000 in grants as part of a statewide announcement from Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Out of more than $12.52 million distributed to cities, counties, and communities across Arkansas, Cotter received $487,620 through the State Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, as well as an additional $15,000 for the Cotter Volunteer Fire Department.
The federal funds allocated to Cotter via the CDBG program are designated for general assistance but can typically be used for public infrastructure projects like water and wastewater systems, streets, sidewalks, storm drainage, and public facilities including senior and health centers. Specific plans for these funds were not included in the announcement.
The CDBG program funds originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are distributed to Arkansas communities through the state government. Across the state, 32 CDBG grants totaling $11,813,099 were awarded this cycle to support infrastructure and facility projects.
The Rural Community Grant Program, which provides up to $15,000 in matching funds to towns with fewer than 3,000 residents, also played a role in local funding. In addition to Cotter’s fire department award, several other nearby communities received these $15,000 grants. Recipients include the Town of Big Flat in Baxter County, the Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District in Marion County, the Town of Bergman, and the City of Diamond City in Boone County.
Neighboring Izard County received $482,509 through the CDBG program for general assistance, along with a $15,000 Rural Services grant.
The Rural Community Grant Program supports projects such as fire trucks, fire equipment, community centers, storm sirens, parks, and walking trails, while participants must match the funds with an equal or greater amount. A separate funding stream, the Rural Services Block Grant program, can fund community centers, fire stations, fire trucks, and similar projects, but no recipients in the Twin Lakes region received such awards during this cycle.
In a statement about the statewide grants, Gov. Sanders said, “The places that shape our towns and cities are often the ones that define them, a park, walking trail, community center, safer street. These funds help local leaders build those places that bring neighbors together, improve quality of life, and build on what Arkansans already know.”
Becca Caldwell, director of the Division of Rural Services, highlighted the program’s importance for safety and infrastructure improvements in smaller communities. This funding cycle included 88 individual grants, with 56 awards totaling $709,637 issued through the Rural Community Grant Program.