Monticello Live

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Mike Ross have announced that Monticello has received a $48,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to help purchase two police cars, a fire truck, and an emergency generator for the city’s fuel station. USDA funds will cover approximately 15 percent of the total cost for the vehicles and equipment. (more…)

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that Drew County Developmental Disabilities Services, Inc., in Monticello has received a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to help purchase playground equipment, furniture, a commercial kitchen, computer equipment and three vans that will support its new preschool center. USDA funds will cover approximately 15 percent of the total cost for the equipment. (more…)

U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Friday announced that the Drew Memorial Hospital will receive a $12 million Recovery Act loan to construct a replacement bed patient wing and a new allied health building.

“This funding will help the Drew Memorial Hospital continue to provide quality care to the community and surrounding areas. I am pleased that, through my role as Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, I was able to help secure these funds,” Lincoln said.

“Approval of this loan will allow us to kick off the first phase of the modernization of Drew Memorial Hospital. This project will help us to better provide the highest quality health care services to everyone in Drew County and the surrounding areas,” Drew County Hospital CEO Michael Layfield said.

These projects will provide for fully accessible and modern rooms for area residents. They will also expand health services and education and training opportunities for the public and health care professionals. (more…)

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry , Vic Snyder and Mike Ross  yesterday announced that Arkansas will receive $584,747 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for public health efforts to help reduce obesity, encourage exercise and improve nutrition. In addition, Arkansas will receive $664,204 to help people avoid or stop smoking. The Recovery Act funds under HHS’s Prevention and Wellness Initiative will go toward media campaigns, tobacco quitlines for counseling to help quit smoking, safe places to exercise in communities, and healthy food choices in schools. (more…)

$475,000 for Southeast Arkansas Intermodal Facility
Funds will be used to construct infrastructure to develop the intermodal and industrial park facility. Improvements will include an access road, water and sewer lines and rail.

 $250,000 to Address Critical National Energy and Environmental Issues at University of Arkansas at Monticello
Funding will provide for renovation, construction, and equipment to further the initiatives of Arkansas Forest Resources Center. Diverse research, extension educational outreach and teaching programs encompassing economic expansion and productivity, and environmental sustainability and quality of life issues provide the principal focus to the Center’s mission. The University’s extension programs reach about two million Arkansans per year.

 $100,000 for Digital Mamography Equipment at Drew Memorial Hospital
Drew Memorial Hospital will use the funds to purchase a state-of-the-art digital breast imaging machine. The hospital’s current mammography equipment is out-of-date and insufficient in the detection and treatment of cancer nodes.

$1,948,000 for Interstate 69/Great River Bridge: Highway 65-MS Highway 1 (Desha County)
Funds will be used to continue engineering, design, and right-of-way acquisition for I-69/Great River Bridge. This bridge is a portion of a new, four-lane, controlled-access highway.

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U.S. Representative Mike Ross, along with U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, Thursday announced that the City of Monticello will receive $248,027 from the Department of Transportation to help enhance airport safety and security by installing perimeter fencing at Ellis Field at Monticello Municipal Airport. (more…)

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and Representative Mike Ross announced today that Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticello will receive an $83,968 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funds will be used to plan and develop a rural health network. 
 
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