“While specific amounts are not earmarked for some projects, and applications must still be submitted to receive the funding, they are specifically mentioned in the bill,” Congressman Vic Snyder said. “The language used to recommend these projects is favorable and urges the Under Secretary for Rural Development to give them consideration.”

• $300,000 increased funding for Arkansas Children's Hospital Nutrition Center
  A $300,000 increase in federal funding to $5.839 million will assist the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center with a means to implement USDA ARS-sponsored research, which focuses on five areas: (1) brain development and function; (2) dietary factors (non-traditional nutrients or functional foods); (3) bone development and remodeling; (4) childhood obesity; and (5) enhancement of immune function.
  
  
• $1.432 million for the Animal Science Food Safety Consortium
  The Food Safety Consortium consists of researchers from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Iowa State University, and Kansas State University. The Consortium was established by Congress in 1988 to conduct extensive investigation into poultry, beef, and pork production. The Food Safety Consortium has been labeled by the USDA as the best research project, special or competitive, that provides assistance to the Food Safety Inspection Service.
  
  
• City of Bald Knob for downtown improvements
  The project includes a courtyard development, train depot renovations to make it a viable Amtrak stop, renovations for a tourist welcome center and renovations to a historic boarding house as a bed and breakfast.
  
  
• Little Red River Irrigation Project
  This project includes southern and eastern areas of White County. The project, which includes the northern portion of the central Arkansas critical ground water decline area, will help by providing a sustainable water supply for irrigation, fish farming and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat.
  

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