By Arkansas Black Vitality Staff – Aug. 26, 2024 – Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate and voting rights activist Stacy Abrams is bringing the muscle of her broadening social and economic movement to Arkansas. 

Sort of.

On Aug. 13, the Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP) announced the launch of its “Our Dollars, Our Dreams” campaign in Arkansas. The campaign is an effort to help Southern states attract billions of dollars in federal funding for projects that boost the economy. 

According to Liza Crichton, federal resources coordinator for SEAP, Abrams founded the 12-state nonprofit to amplify the efforts of existing organizations and networks that work towards broadening economic power and building a more equitable future. 

The ongoing SEAP 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. 

“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,” said Crichton.

She noted that the “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 in Arkansas and other southern state,” she said.

Available Arkansas Funding

During the campaign kick-off in Arkansas early this month, Crichton and SEAP Deputy Director Genny Castillo spent four days in the Natural State visiting with local public officials, nonprofit leaders, community organizations, and others to share information about the federal funding opportunities still available for many Arkansas communities. Although Crichton is based in Memphis, Tenn., the SEAP staff operates remotely across the organization’s 12-state southern footprint.

According to SEAP data, there is 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 or about 30% left on the table for state and local governments to obligate. 

SEAP invites community members, local organizations, and government officials to participate in the campaign. Working together, Crichton encouraged, 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.”

Earlier this year, SEAP met with the Arkansas Black Mayors Association to provide vital information on 2024 federal grant and loan programs, new tax credits for clean energy projects, and effective strategies for constructing successful applications.

The meeting, which included Association Executive Director Frank Bateman and 15 mayors from Pine Bluff, Wrightsville, Strong and other Arkansas communities facilitated a productive dialogue on harnessing unused ARP dollars for essential projects like affordable housing and workforce development, officials said. In addition, the discussion delved into the strategic planning and capacity-building grants offered by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the groundbreaking Direct Pay tax credit program from the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Mayors on the call provided excellent feedback about the need for ongoing education and awareness about federal opportunities, as well as for organizations like SEAP who are committed to assisting small governments to build capacity, especially in rural areas,” said Crichton. “SEAP is grateful for the opportunity and looks forward to continued partnership and work with the Arkansas Black Mayors Association (ABMA).”

SEAP and the ABMA are committed to ongoing collaboration with future webinars and virtual meetings planned ahead to deepen local understanding and engagement with federal funding mechanisms. This partnership is poised to drive significant advancements for Arkansas’ towns and cities, paving the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future, officials said.

For more information about the campaign and how to get involved, Arkansans are encouraged to visit SEAP’s Our Dollars, Our Dreams or contact Crichton at liza@theseap.org.

SEAP Arkansas Initiatives

SEAP staff’s involvement during the August 13-16 visit to Arkansas included:

• 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).