$158,750 Awarded to the City of Manila through the Mississippi County Infrastructure Grant Program
(from left): Mississippi County Public Affairs Director Tom Henry, Justice Molly Jackson, Justice Michael White, Mayor Tracey Reinhart, Treasurer Peggy Meatte and Justice Tobye McClanahan
On June 7, 2023, the Government of Mississippi County, Arkansas announced that it has awarded $158,750 to the City of Manila, Arkansas, through their Mississippi County Infrastructure Grant Program. The funding is to be used on Manila’s Fire Department Expansion Project. The Manila Fire Department Expansion Project will house one ladder truck, one tanker truck and one rescue with a spare pumper truck in the fourth spot. Currently, those pieces of equipment are housed in areas needed for training. At times the equipment is left outside. The city hopes to have all their equipment under one roof and still possess room for meetings and training. The Manila Fire Department serves not only the City of Manila, but also Milligan Ridge. They also assist surrounding communities. The project will also aid in housing any additional, future equipment needed due to the explosive growth that the City of Manila is currently experiencing.
“This award is a case of the County helping one of its cities improve the quality of life for its citizens. We are extremely proud to be able to partner with and invest in the City of Manila for this critical, potentially lifesaving, infrastructure improvement,” County Judge John Alan Nelson said.
“I am very proud to be a part of Mississippi County. I am proud that the County helps its individual cities. For example, Manila is growing so fast and that is expensive…it is great that the County recognizes that we can use the help. We will put it to good use. We really appreciate it. Also, The Manila Volunteer Fire Department is one of the very best in the state, not only training wise, but also in how well they take care of their equipment. I really appreciate this grant,” Manila Mayor Tracey Reinhart said.
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law. Among many other provisions, ARPA provides direct funding to each county in the United States through what is called the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Relief Fund (CLFRF). Mississippi County, Arkansas received $7,895,980.00 and has designated $2,000,000 to fund the "Mississippi County Infrastructure Grant Program”.
The Mississippi County Infrastructure Grant Program will fund innovative, effective infrastructure projects designed to address the infrastructure needs of the County. Each grant will provide up to $200,000 for cities/towns within Mississippi County and can only be used for infrastructure projects pursuant to Arkansas Constitution, Article 12, Section 5 as incorporated into Article 12 by Amendment 97. These grants will fund up to 75% of project costs, with 25% cost matched by the applicant municipality.
Only Mississippi County towns/cities were eligible for the grant and the funding allocated by Mississippi County for this grant program may be used to assist with Infrastructure project planning or implementation with a priority for projects that address areas of greatest need and serve those most at-risk. The following are types of projects eligible under this program: land acquisition, site preparation, rail spur construction, water service, wastewater treatment, employee training which may include equipment for such purpose, environmental mitigation and training and research facilities and the necessary equipment.
An informative workshop was held on Friday, April 7 whereby the cities were invited to learn about the grant and ask questions. Afterward, its recording was posted on the county’s website for those that could not attend. Applications were received from eight cities and were “scored” by iParametrics, the county’s ARPA consultant based on application metrics.
For more information, visit the County website https://www.mississippicountyar.org/.
