Arkansas awarded $60 million in America Rescue Plan funding for water infrastructure projects

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A pandemic-prompted federal program is providing $60 million for water infrastructure in Arkansas.

Officials said the money is for America Rescue Plan-listed projects approved by the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission. The funding breaks down to $55 million for water, wastewater and infrastructure projects and $5 million for Arkansas Rural Water Association projects.

Representatives said projects authorized to receive funding have been listed on the American Rescue Plan since December 2022. Projects must be completed by Dec. 31, 2026.

Specific projects were not listed in the Monday announcement.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Monday that the Arkansas Legislative Council approved the expenditure.

The funding comes on the heels of Sanders’ May order for a statewide water analysis plan. Governor’s office officials said the Sanders administration has invested over $2.5 billion in water projects in all 75 Arkansas counties.

“My administration has worked with our federal partners to appropriately put money into Arkansas’ water infrastructure development, and this announcement adds to that commitment,” Sanders said. “Every Arkansan deserves safe and accessible drinking water, and with this funding, we will move closer to that goal.”

The American Rescue Plan of 2021 was approved by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. The act allocated billions of dollars for economic stimulation to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.