LITTLE ROCK, AR – The “Our Dollars, Our Dreams” campaign – an effort to help Southern states attract billions of dollars in federal funding for projects that boost the economy – is coming to Arkansas, the Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP) announced today.
This initiative empowers Southern communities to take ownership of unprecedented levels of federal funding available through post-COVID economic-recovery initiatives such as the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and others.
Why It Matters
Many Southern states, including Arkansas, are at risk of leaving substantial federal dollars on the table due to a lack of awareness, technical expertise, and capacity to navigate the complex federal funding landscape. SEAP’s “Our Dollars, Our Dreams” campaign seeks to bridge this gap by connecting communities with the resources they need to take full advantage of available federal funds. New funding opportunities offer significant potential to drive sustainable development and economic resilience, especially in rural areas.
Visit the SEAP data page to learn more about the nearly $2.6 billion in ARP State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to Arkansas. As of March, over 1,400 projects were funded, leaving about $770 million available for the state and local governments to obligate.
SEAP invites community members, local organizations, and government officials to participate in the campaign. Working together, we can ensure the efficient and equitable distribution of federal funds to meet the diverse needs of Arkansas communities.
“Our goal is to ensure that every dollar available to Arkansas goes toward building stronger and more resilient communities,” Crichton said. “We’re here to support local leaders in making informed, impactful decisions with these federal funds.”
For more information about the campaign and how to get involved, Arkansans are encouraged to visit SEAP’s Our Dollars, Our Dreams or contact SEAP Federal Resources Coordinator Liza Crichton at liza@theseap.org.
SEAP staff’s involvement during the August 13-16 Arkansas visit will include:
- Meetings with Local Leaders: SEAP will engage with elected officials and community leaders in Bentonville, Forrest City, and Little Rock to discuss potential projects and funding strategies.
- Workshops and Technical Assistance: SEAP will provide free support in such areas as grant writing, project management, and strategic planning to help local governments and organizations navigate federal funding opportunities.
- Community Networking: SEAP aims to share best practices and innovative approaches to maximize the impact of available funds.
Success Stories: Federal Funding Impacts Across Arkansas
American Rescue Plan:
- Boys and Girls Club: Arkansas allocated $4.5 million in federal funds to support the Boys and Girls Club in expanding after-school and summer school programs in partnership with local school districts. (Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle).
- Healthcare: Rural hospitals were awarded $13.5 million to help with staffing challenges and high operational costs. Recipients include Mena Regional Health System, Bradley County Medical Center, South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center and St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center (Arkansas Times).
- Broadband: The Arkansas Rural Connect Program received over $119 million for broadband infrastructure deployment to help close the digital divide exacerbated by the pandemic (Benton Foundation).
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:
- Broadband: Arkansas will receive $1 billion to build broadband infrastructure, ensuring reliable high-speed internet access for rural and underserved communities (Arkansas Times).
- Transportation: About $244 million will be allocated over five years to improve public transportation options across the state (Transportation.gov).
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Network: $54 million will support expanding an EV charging network to facilitate long-distance travel and support the transition to clean energy (Transportation.gov).
- Airport Infrastructure: Arkansas airports will receive around $117 million for infrastructure development to improve runways, taxiways, and terminal projects (Transportation.gov).
Inflation Reduction Act:
- Clean Energy Investments: The IRA will bring an estimated $1.5 billion to Arkansas for large-scale clean power generation and storage, enhancing the state’s capacity for renewable energy (Arkansas Times) (Rural Development).
- Conservation Projects: Nearly $5 million will be allocated to restore and conserve Arkansas’s forests and wetlands, benefiting local water quality and wildlife habitats (Arkansas Game & Fish Commission).
- Rural Clean Energy Projects: The US Department of Agriculture announced $173,500 in grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in rural Arkansas businesses (Rural Development).