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Foreman Receives Rural Community Grant

ARDC Chair Dennis Donahou, Representative Larry Cowling, Mayor Roland Bush, Governor Mike Beebe, ARDC Commissioner David Johnson, DRS Director Butch Calhoun. Not Pictured: Senator Steve Harrelson

LITTLE ROCK, AR- Governor Mike Beebe and Department of Rural Services Director Butch Calhoun presented $165,985.97 to 20 rural communities selected for Fiscal Year 2011 Cycle 3 funding through the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Program at an awards ceremony on May 26, 2011 held at the Arkansas Rural Development Conference in Hot Springs.

In attendance were representatives receiving an Arkansas Rural Community Development Grant award on behalf of Foreman in Little River County. The City of Foreman received $11,787.50 to place a fence around the softball field located in the city park.

This year’s conference, hosted by the Department of Rural Services and the Arkansas Rural Development Commission, was held May 24th – May 26th. 2011. Keynote speakers throughout the conference included Governor Mike Beebe, Secretary of State Mark Martin, and Senator Bill Sample. Also in attendance were over 60 state legislators and over 700 mayors, county judges, fire services personnel, state and federal agency representatives and local community leaders representing all corners of rural Arkansas. Our Rural Advocate of the Year is Bob Summerville with Arkansas Forestry Commission. Mr. Summerville was awarded with a plaque during the luncheon on Wednesday.

The Department of Rural Services works in partnership with the Arkansas Rural Development Commission to administer the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Programs in three cycles each year. Incorporated cities and towns and unincorporated communities in rural areas of less than 3,000 in population are eligible to apply for assistance through the mayor or county judge’s office.

For more information about the Department of Rural Services and their grant programs contact Butch Calhoun at 1-888-RURAL-AR.

Public Hearing- Parks and Recreation Needs

The City of Foreman invites its citizens and other interested persons to a public meeting at Foreman City Hall, 209 Schuman St., Foreman, AR, at 5:30p.m., on June 20,2011. The purpose of the meeting is to identify potential outdoor park and recreational needs and priorities for 2012. Following the identification process, city officials will select those priorities to be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism for a matching grant application. Ethnic minorities, persons with ~ecial needs, elderly persons over 55, and special interest groups are encouraged to attend and participate.

For those unable to attend the meeting, you may phone (870) 542- 6234. Written comments may be submitted to City of Foreman, P.O. Box 10, Foreman, AR 71836.

Public Hearing- Community Needs

A public hearing will be held on June 29, 2011 at 5:30pm at the Foreman City Hall(209 Schuman Street) for the purpose of identifying and prioritizing the community needs of the City of Foreman, determining whether a full application for Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program (ACEDP) funds should be developed and if so, for what community need. Also, comments on proposed project activities will be discussed, especially those with possible impacts on the community, should the project receive funding.

ACEDP funds are federal assistance received by the State of Arkansas and administered by the Economic Development Commission. These funds will be made available to cities and counties according to need and can be used for housing rehabilitation, community facilities, or economic development, but must address one of the following objectives:

  • 1. Provide benefit to low and moderate income families
  • 2. Aid in the prevention of slum and blight
  • 3. Meet other community needs, which pose a serious, immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where no other funding is available to meet such needs.

At this time, the City of Foreman is considering an application which would fund the Foreman Water Line Rehab Project. This project proposes to rehab a Public Water Supply for the low-income community of Foreman by replacing aging water distribution lines of varying materials which have been in place for more than 60 years. All residents of the City of Foreman are encouraged to attend the hearing and participate in the community development process. The City will provide technical assistance in developing proposals by groups representing low and moderate-income persons.

Dinner to be held to honor Senator Horn

Senator Barbara Horn

The Little River Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the citizens of Arkansas Senate District 21, will be hosting a retirement gala/dinner to honor State Senator Barbara Horn who is term limited. Senator Horn served in the state legislature from 1993 – 2000 as representative before term limiting and 2001 – 2010 in the senate before suffering the same fate.

The event is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.7, at the Barbara Horn Civic Center located on the CCC-UA campus in Ashdown. An evening of memories and stories will include a wonderful five-course dinner prepared by Chef Larry Watson and the culinary arts department of CCC-UA, culminated with the key-note address by Governor Mike Beebe.

Tickets are $50 per person and are available at the chamber office, Little River County Courthouse and Foreman City Hall. All net proceeds for the event will be used to endow a scholarship at CCC-UA in Senator Horn’s honor.

Contact: Jill Turner
Little River Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 160 Ashdown, AR 71822
jill@littlerivercounty.org
(870) 898-2758

Little River County Fair and Rodeo

Little River County Fair and Rodeo

Get ready for this years fall spectacular Little River County Fair and Rodeo! Gates open Tuesday, August 10 and the fun lasts all week. Ride the Ferris wheel, check out all the blue ribbon winners and tank up on cotton candy! Then come back Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm for two great rodeo finales featuring the best cowboys in the county riding the meanest broncs and bulls! It’s good, old fashioned fun for the whole family! Don’t miss it!