168.00.15 Ark. Code R. 004
Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Division of Rural Services and the Arkansas Rural Development Commission
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), Division of Rural Services (DRS), is charged with assisting rural communities with a population of 20,000 and under. Established under Act 302 of 1991, and merged with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission under Act 8 of the 2015 First Extraordinary Session, DRS assists local agencies in rural areas with information and technical assistance. Currently, more than 80% of Arkansans live in rural areas.
The Board of Directors of the Arkansas Rural Development Commission (hereafter Arkansas Rural Development Commission or ARDC) is a group of citizens from rural Arkansas. Seven of its members are appointed by the Governor, two are appointed by the Senate President Pro-Tem, and two are appointed by the Speaker of the House. Commissioners serve multiple-year terms and meet throughout the year to discuss rural issues that affect Arkansans.
The mission of these two groups is to "Enhance the quality of life in rural Arkansas."
One focus of the Division of Rural Services is to be a source of information for rural citizens and provide support services to rural communities. DRS publishes a quarterly newsletter that covers rural policies and topics. The Division also hosts an annual conference and local forums around the state throughout the course of the year.
In 2015, the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 371 which amended the laws for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Education Grant program (hereafter known as the Game and Fish Wildlife Conservation Education Grant Program). This legislation transferred the administration of the program under the control of the Division of Rural Services. The Game and Fish Conservation Education Grant Program is a partnership between DRS and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) that converts portions of county fine money into grant funds for school conservation education programs.
General Information and Eligibility
Through the Game and Fish Wildlife Conservation Education Grant Program, the Arkansas Rural Development Commission and the Division of Rural Services, and in consultation with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, strive to enhance the level conservation education in the state by providing incentive grants. The Game and Fish Conservation Education Grant will assist school and conservation districts in the creation and maintenance of conservation education programs.
With this grant program, all school district and conservation districts are eligible to apply for assistance regardless of district size or population. The funding availability will vary by district as the funds collected are county specific. This means that only fine money collected in a certain county can be used as grants funds for that county.
Funding Availability
As funding availably is county specific, grant allocations are separate for each county. The Division of Rural Services strives to fund as many projects as possible.
What Type of Projects are Eligible
Programs eligible for funding consideration under the Game & Fish Wildlife Conservation Education Grant Program include, but are not limited to:
* Study of general fish and wildlife conservation issues
* Project WILD Workshops
* Arkansas National Archery in the Schools Program (ANASP)
* Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program (AYSSP)
* Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs (HOFNOD)
* Arkansas Stream Team
* School Yard Habitat Site Development
* Specialized AGFC conservation education/educator training workshops focused on the programs above
* Funds also may be used by educators to take students on field trips to AGFC Nature Centers, Conservation Education Centers and Wildlife Management Areas
What Type of Projects are Ineligible
Projects not eligible for funding consideration under the Game and Fish Wildlife Conservation Education Grant Program include, but again are not limited to:
* Salaries or any other compensation
* Day to day maintenance
* Building of permanent structures
* Reimbursements of any kind
Note: If you are not positive that your project is eligible, please call and speak to a Grants Analyst at 1-888-RURAL-AR or AGFC Education Division at 1-501-223-6331.
Application Process
The program operates on an annual basis. Fiscal Year 2016 applications will be accepted beginning October 1, 2015 and ending November 30, 2015. Applicants must gain the approval of their local school principal or conservation district conservationist who will be ultimately responsible for the grant should it be received.
The local school principal or conservation district conservationist must affix his or her signature to the following documents for the application to be considered complete:
* Certification letter
* Application
Applicants must submit an original application with original signatures.
Application Review and Awards Presentation
Applications are numbered and reviewed for completeness and eligibility in the order received by the Division of Rural Services. Individual proposal consultations can be arranged with staff by appointment. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications well before the deadline to allow DRS staff time to thoroughly review the application and assist applicants in correcting any deficiencies prior to the deadline.
Applications received postmarked after the deadline date will not be eligible for consideration.
After staff review for completeness and eligibility, applications undergo a review process by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Education Department. DRS and AGFC submit funding recommendations, in the following order, to the Arkansas Rural Development Commission, Governor's Office and the Legislative Council. Following final review and approval, the grants are awarded by mail.
Reporting Requirements and Responsibilities
In compliance with Act 1009 of 1991, project funds will be expended through a fund established on the books of the district. All project expenditures, with invoices attached, shall be approved by the school principal or conservation district conservationist and remain on file in the office of the district for three years or until audited, whichever is later.
All project expenditures must be expended within one year after the date of the award. A final report, including cancelled checks and receipts of all funds expended, along with the state's portion of any unspent funds, must be submitted by the school principal or conservation district conservationist to DRS and subsequently to the Chief Fiscal Officer of the state. This must be done no more than 60 days following the project's completion or within the one year period of the grant award, whichever comes first.
168.00.15 Ark. Code R. 004