PB to get $22,500 grant for downtown

Arkansas is adding another quarter million dollars in grant awards to boost economic development and job growth in downtown business districts, including Pine Bluff.

Total grants available through the Main Street Arkansas program will increase to $559,000 in Fiscal 2021, the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism announced last week.

The department hands out the grants to spark downtown revitalization efforts. Grants range from $3,000 to $25,000 based on a community’s level of participation and the number of businesses operating in the downtown commercial district.

“Through these grants and the patronage of their friends and neighbors, these businesses will continue to drive local economies and contribute to Arkansas’ bright future,” department Secretary Stacy Hurst said in announcing the funding increase.

Main Street Arkansas communities receiving $25,000 grants are: Conway, El Dorado, Eureka Springs, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Paragould and Searcy; $22,500 each will go to Batesville, Blytheville, Little Rock’s downtown partnership, Ozark, Pine Bluff, Russellville, Siloam Springs, Texarkana and West Memphis.

Grants of $20,000 will be awarded to Dumas, Helena-West Helena, Paris and Little Rock’s South of Main district.

Downtown Partnership communities receiving $3,000 each include: Arkadelphia, Calico Rock, Camden, Clarksville, Forrest City, Hardy, Hope, Lonoke, Malvern, Mena, Monticello, Morrilton, Newport, Pocahontas, Prairie Grove, Rector, Warren and Wynne.