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SEARCH - Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households in Arkansas

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Fact Sheet


What does this program do?

This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

Who may apply?

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Nonprofits
  • Federally recognized tribes

What is an eligible area?

Areas to be served must be rural and financially distressed:

  • Rural areas with a population of 2,500 or less
  • Have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on latest Census data

How may the funds be used?

To pay predevelopment planning costs, including:

  • Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects
  • Preliminary design and engineering analysis
  • Technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance

Are there additional requirements?

The predevelopment planning costs must be related to a proposed project that meets the following requirements:

  • Construct, enlarge, extend or improve rural water, sanitary sewage, solid waste disposal and storm wastewater disposal facilities
  • Construct or relocate public buildings, roads, bridges, fences or utilities, and to make other public improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities
  • Relocate private buildings, roads, bridges, fences, or utilities, and other private improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities

How do we get started?

  • Applications for this program are accepted year round through your local RD office.
  • Program resources are available online (i.e., forms, guidance, certifications, etc.).

What governs this program?

  • Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Part 1774 - 7 CFR 1774
  • Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act

Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

To help very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses.

NOTE: Please select your state in the dropdown menu above to find the state office contact information and speak to a program specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you time in completing your application.

National Architect Requirements:

There are no other architect, engineering or environmental requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above. 

There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.

AREA OFFICES

Forrest City Area Office
Flora Pruitt, Area Specialist (Flora.Pruitt@usda.gov)
Seth Harrison, Area Specialist (seth.harrison@usda.gov)
Phone: 870-633-3055 (Ext. 4)
Fax: 855-681-7082
USDA Service Center
4401 N. Washington
Forrest City, AR 72335
Counties served: Arkansas, Crittenden, Cross, Lee, Lonoke, Monroe, Phillips, Prairie, Pulaski, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.

Fort Smith Area Office
Susan Staggs, Area Specialist (Susan.Staggs@usda.gov)
Matthew Hudson, Area Specialist (Matthew.Hudson@usda.gov)
Phone: 479-646-8300 (Ext. 4)
Fax: 877-504-6540
USDA Service Center
3913 Brooken Hill Drive, Suite 400
Fort Smith, AR 72908-9289
Counties served: Conway, Crawford, Franklin, Faulkner, Johnson, Logan, Perry, Pope, Sebastian, Scott, Van Buren, and Yell Counties.

Harrison Area Office
Matthew Hudson, Area Specialist (Matthew.Hudson@usda.gov)
Phone: 870-741-8600 (Ext. 4)
Fax: 855-681-7080
Federal Building, Room 219
402 N. Walnut
Harrison, AR 72601
Counties served: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Izard, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy, Stone, and Washington Counties.

Hope Area Office
Amy Smith, Area Specialist (Amy.Smith3@usda.gov)
Phone: 870-777-8800 (Ext. 4)
Fax: 855-747-7792
USDA Service Center
300 W. Commerce Blvd., Suite D (Mail to P. O. Box 768)
Hope, AR 71802
Counties served: Clark, Garland, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Montgomery, Nevada, Pike, Polk, Saline, and Sevier Counties.

Jonesboro Area Office
Keith Huskey, Area Specialist (Keith.Huskey@usda.gov)
Phone: 870-972-4671 (Ext. 4)
Fax: 855-681-7081
USDA Service Center
3407 S. Caraway, Suite 4
Jonesboro, AR 72404
Counties served: Clay, Cleburne, Craighead, Green, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, and Sharp Counties.

Monticello Area Office
Brian Montgomery, Area Specialist (Michael.Montgomery3@usda.gov)
Marisa Harris, Area Specialist (Marisa.Harris@usda.gov)
Phone: 870-367-8400 (Ext. 4)
Fax: 855-747-7791
USDA Service Center
419 West Grimes Street, Suite 4
Monticello, AR 71655
Counties served: Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Ouachita, and Union Counties.

STATE OFFICE

Tim Smith, Acting Community Programs Director (Tim.Smith3@usda.gov)
Phone: 501-301-3265
Fax: 855-747-7800

David Kirchner, Community Programs Specialist (David.Kirchner@usda.gov)
Phone: 501-301-3265
Fax: 855-747-7800

Richard Maurer, Community Programs Specialist (Richard.Maurer@usda.gov)
Phone: 501-301-3265
Fax: 855-747-7800

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