News from the
United States Congress
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | ||
| December 17, 2007 | ||
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D) and Representatives Marion Berry (D-1st), Vic Snyder (D-2nd), John Boozman (R-3rd), and Mike Ross (D-4th) today announced $1.2 million in grants from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Funds from the grants will be used by each of Arkansas’s eight Planning and Development Districts to establish economic development planning frameworks, processes, and strategies to support capital investments in the their regions. --30--
“Economic development brings new jobs and services to towns across our state that are essential to the well-being of communities,” said Lincoln. “With these federal funds, our Planning and Development Districts will be able to continue to help projects in their regions acquire the investments necessary to spur future growth throughout Arkansas."
“These grant awards are a smart use of taxpayer dollars, and I look forward to the growth and opportunities that will be created as a result,” Pryor said.
"Improving economic development is one of our top priorities," said Congressman Berry. "These grants will help each of the Planning and Development Districts combine resources to increase the standard of living for families and improve businesses throughout the region. By bringing communities together to work toward a common goal, these organizations will help ensure economic success for Arkansas."
"Arkansas communities can flourish economically given our many resources," said Congressman Snyder. "This funding will help to create a strategic path that will enable the region to utilize its resources in the most optimal way."
“Developing employment and business opportunities for distressed areas is important work in creating a better Arkansas,” Boozman said. “This money is important to the people of Arkansas as we continue to establish our state and local communities on the global economic stage. It is an investment in our future. I praise the leadership of the men and women of our development districts, and commend them for their work toward making our state’s future even brighter.”
“These needed funds will help to create new jobs and bring new economic development opportunities across Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District,” Ross said. “I am proud of the work Arkansas’s Economic Development Districts are doing to help our local towns and communities grow and prosper through exciting economic development initiatives such as these.”
Arkansas’s eight Planning and Development Districts received $150,000 apiece. Each district covers a six to twelve county area and provides services for economic development projects in that area.
The eight districts are listed below:
Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (Lonoke)
East Arkansas Planning and Development District (Jonesboro)
Northwest Arkansas Planning and Development District (Harrison)
Southeast Arkansas Planning and Development District (Pine Bluff)
Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District (Magnolia)
West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (Hot Springs)
Western Arkansas Planning and Development District (Fort Smith)
White River Planning and Development District (Batesville)
The EDA serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. EDA’s mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness to prepare American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
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