Arkansas ranked seventh nationwide with 19 grants awarded by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) to fund economic development projects in 2023.
This is an increase over the amount of grants awarded during 2022, when there were 16 grants disbursed across the state.
In total, the EDA invested $10,699,036 in economic development projects during 2023.
Of all the grants awarded for Arkansas projects, nine were a part of the public works program – more than any other program.
The EDA is a federal government agency focusing exclusively on economic development. The agency solicits applications for funding to support construction, non-construction planning, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under the agency’s Public Works and the Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs. Grants made under these programs are designed to advance economic development in distressed communities.
Their grants are instrumental in fostering economic growth across diverse communities, often aiding in job creation, infrastructure development, and enhancing local business opportunities.
| Rank | Program | Number of Grants |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Public Works | 9 |
| 2 | Regional Innovation Strategies | 4 |
| 3 | Planning | 3 |
| 4 | Technical Assistance | 2 |
| 5 | Economic Adjustment Assistance | 1 |
| 6 | Research and National Technical Assistance | 0 |
| 6 | Trade Adjustment Assistance | 0 |
| Rank | State | Total Grants |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 23 |
| 2 | California | 22 |
| 3 | Virginia | 21 |
| 3 | New York | 21 |
| 3 | Missouri | 21 |
| 6 | Michigan | 20 |
| 7 | Texas | 19 |
| 7 | Arkansas | 19 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 19 |
| 7 | Georgia | 19 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 19 |
| 12 | Florida | 18 |
| 13 | Ohio | 17 |
| 13 | Indiana | 17 |
| 13 | Alabama | 17 |
| 16 | Oklahoma | 16 |
| 16 | Washington | 16 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 15 |
| 18 | Oregon | 15 |
| 18 | Kentucky | 15 |
| 21 | South Carolina | 14 |
| 22 | Illinois | 13 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 12 |
| 24 | Iowa | 11 |
| 24 | Colorado | 11 |
| 24 | Tennessee | 11 |
| 27 | Arizona | 10 |
| 27 | Montana | 10 |
| 27 | Louisiana | 10 |
| 30 | South Dakota | 9 |
| 30 | Alaska | 9 |
| 30 | Maine | 9 |
| 33 | Nevada | 7 |
| 33 | Mississippi | 7 |
| 33 | Minnesota | 7 |
| 36 | Utah | 6 |
| 36 | New Mexico | 6 |
| 38 | North Dakota | 5 |
| 38 | Connecticut | 5 |
| 38 | New Jersey | 5 |
| 38 | Maryland | 5 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | 4 |
| 42 | Vermont | 4 |
| 42 | Wyoming | 4 |
| 45 | Nebraska | 3 |
| 45 | Hawaii | 3 |
| 47 | Delaware | 2 |
| 47 | Idaho | 2 |
| 47 | Kansas | 2 |
