Transportation-related grants available
The next application cycle for the Transportation-Related Research & Workforce Development Grant Program is open.
Act 884 of 2021 authorized the Transportation-Related Research & Workforce Development Grant Program. The purpose of each grant is to accomplish one or both of the following:
Support the study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions to provide resilient and sustainable logistics, processes, materials, and methods to ensure cost-effectiveness and the furtherance of education and economic development concerning all forms of transportation; and
Support industry training, apprenticeships, and educational programs to foster skills required for transportation-related personnel development.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The TRRWDGP is funded up to $500,000 by interest income received under AR Code § 27-70-204 (2017) each year from the State Highway and Transportation Department Fund, according to a news release.
Project applications can be obtained at www.ardot.gov/trrwdgp/ or by email to Research@ardot.gov. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. July 8. Details: https://www.ardot.gov/divisions/system-information-research/research/trrgp/ or (501) 569-4922.
Grapevine Memorial Service set
The annual meeting for the Grapevine Cemetery Memorial will be held May 19 at Sardis Baptist Church following the church’s 11 a.m. worship service.
After the memorial service, there will be a potluck fellowship meal. The event will include grave decorations before morning service.
“We encourage anyone connected to the Grapevine Cemetery to come join in the celebration,” according to a news release.
The Grapevine Cemetery Association is a registered tax-exempt organization, and donations are tax deductible. If unable to attend, contributors to the upkeep of the cemetery can send donations to: Grapevine Cemetery/Treasurer, 9310 Grant 14, Pine Bluff, AR 71603.
Communities obtain AEDC grants
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission awarded $8,478,624 in Community Development Block Grants to 17 Arkansas cities and counties.
The General Assistance projects include three in southeast Arkansas:
Dumas, Desha County, $499,935, sewer system improvement;
Kingsland, Cleveland County, $500,000, pump station improvements and pipe repairs;
Sparkman, Dallas County, $496,426, wastewater rehabilitation.
These grants were awarded under the General Assistance set-aside, part of Arkansas’s $17.8 million FY 2023 formula grant allocation, which is designed to provide communities the opportunity to apply for a variety of non-housing public facility and public infrastructure projects. These funds originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) State Program for Small Cities, according to a news release. Details: https://www.arkansasedc.com/grants.
VA sets virtual claims clinic May 23
The Little Rock VA Regional Office will hold a virtual claims clinic for Arkansas veterans from 4-6 p.m. May 23. To reserve a timeslot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. May 22, according to a news release.
Veterans may speak one-on-one to staff of the Little Rock VA Regional Office regarding their claims for VA benefits. Staff will also answer questions about PACT Act benefits, existing VA benefits claims, and assist with filing new claims.
The main office of the Little Rock VA Regional Office is located at 2200 Fort Roots Drive in North Little Rock and open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Veteran Assist Phone Line, 501-370-3829, is staffed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
UAM launches Jumpstart Program
The University of Arkansas at Monticello will launch the Weevil Jumpstart Program for first-time freshmen in July. Eligible students who enroll in six credit hours during Summer Session II will receive a full campus housing scholarship. Classes will run from July 1-31, according to a news release.
The program is open to incoming first-time freshmen who have been admitted to UAM for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The program will aid students in their transition to college life. By offering a comprehensive array of activities and workshops tailored to students’ specific needs, the program is focused on academic excellence and personal development.
Students in the Weevil Jumpstart Program will earn six hours of college credit, be part of an exclusive residential living and learning community, attend small classes, participate in academic skills workshops and develop leadership skills.
“The Weevil Jumpstart Program represents the university’s ongoing commitment to empowering students to achieve their full potential while fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion on campus,” said Jessica Foxworth, associate vice chancellor for Student Engagement and dean of students at UAM.
“We recognize the importance of providing incoming students with a smooth and successful transition to college life. This an excellent opportunity for students to jumpstart their college journey and lay the foundation for a successful and fulfilling academic experience at the University of Arkansas at Monticello,” she said.
Prospective students should visit the Weevil Jumpstart Program https://www.uamont.edu/admissions/weevil-jumpstart.html for details and a link to apply. Details: Jessica Foxworth at foxworth@uamont.edu.