EPA provides $100 million grant to Arkansas three-district coalition, more than $45 million to central Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A coalition representing roughly half of the Arkansas population has received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to improve the Natural State’s sustainability.

Metroplan announced the grant award for its Energy and Environmental Innovation for the Natural State proposal. The grant, which is actually $99,999,999, will fund coalition projects in central and northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas River Valley.

Officials said the coalition partnered with over 50 communities, agencies, and organizations across the three regions. Officials said the grant would be divided between regions based on population, with central Arkansas receiving $45.2 million, River Valley, representing Fort Smith, receiving $14.5 million, and northwest Arkansas receiving $36.25 million.

Metroplan Little Rock executive director Casey Covington outlined projects planned for the central Arkansas region as the organization prepares to announce its final plans next week.

Covington said $6 million of the region’s $45.2 million has been allocated for land acquisition and conservation. Improvements for bike lanes and pedestrian walkways have $8 million allocated, with $5 million allocated to update existing street light systems with more modern and energy-efficient equipment such as LED bulbs.

The Metroplan director added that the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport will receive $7.75 million to install a geothermal well field as an energy-efficient upgrade to its existing HVAC system.

Existing buildings in central Arkansas will have $7 million allocated for energy efficiency. Covington explained that the improvements would predominantly occur through Pulaski County’s PACE program, which provides loans to building owners that are paid back through the corresponding energy savings the funded projects provide.

Covington said transportation will receive specific funding in two areas: $2 million to support electric vehicle fleets, such as charging stations, and $1.5 million for E-bike incentives targeting low-income users.

All three regions have e-bike incentive programs.

Pulaski County Judge and Metroplan Little Rock board president Barry Hyde called the award “monumental” in providing sustainability to the central Arkansas region.

“I am thrilled the efforts of Metroplan, Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, and the City of Fort Smith have been recognized with the prestigious EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant,” Hyde said. “This monumental award is not just a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship but also a call to action.”

The EPA announced $4.3 billion in grants nationwide on Monday. The Arkansas proposal was one of the 25 projects in 30 states funded by the agency.