§ 15-6-107 - Assistance programs and grants. - Arkansas Statutes

15-6-107. Assistance programs and grants.

(a) The Department of Rural Services shall request such specific information as the Arkansas Rural Development Commission and the Director of the Department of Rural Services determine to be necessary concerning assistance programs and grants administered by federal, state, and local agencies, individuals, and corporations designed to enhance rural areas. The information shall be used to advise local agencies, individuals, or corporations for the purpose of promoting coordination in program or grant efforts wherever feasible or proper.

(b) Any political subdivision requesting program grants or assistance in order to address rural development and revitalization needs, conditions, or strengths in rural areas, pursuant to the rules of the commission, may confer with the department to obtain assistance in gaining the most prompt and efficient processing and review of any grant applications.

(c) The department, so far as possible, shall render such assistance, and the commission may designate an officer or employee of the department to act as an expediter for the purpose of:

(1) Facilitating contacts for the applicant with state, federal, or local agencies, individuals, or corporations responsible for processing and reviewing grant applications;

(2) Arranging conferences to clarify the interest and requirements of any such agency, individual, or corporation with respect to grant applications;

(3) Considering with the agency, individual, or corporation the feasibility of consolidating hearings and data required of the applicant;

(4) Assisting the applicant in the resolution of outstanding issues identified by the agency, individual, or corporation, including delays experienced in application review; and

(5) Coordinating federal, state, and local grant application review actions and assistance programs to the extent practicable.