MonticelloLive

This is a portion of the MEDC report as it was presented to the group by MEDC director Truman Hamilton.
I located a grant opportunity through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for up to $250,000.00.

There would be no matching funds required and we meet the population density requirements of 100 persons per square mile or less.  Drew County has a population density of 21.99 people per square mile. The only problem: only states and Tribal Communities may apply for the grant.  I called the Office of Emergency Services (ADEM) and Tina Owens said that it is their position that outdoor sirens were no longer recommended as early warning systems.   The Office of Emergency Services contends that not enough people will be served and the cost of installation is too great.

They are of the opinion that other means of notification are more effective and less expensive so they were not inclined to apply for this grant. I have first hand knowledge of the NOAA radio alert system that serves Southeast Arkansas.  It is a remote unmanned, unmonitored transmitter site south of Star City.  It is served by C&L Rural Electric and when I was Director of The Emergency Broadcast Network that encompassed Arkansas State Police District F, it had no backup power source or alternate transmitter should there be a failure. Since it is not monitored by NOAA, the system tends to be out of service on a regular basis and remains that way until someone in Southeast Arkansas calls Little Rock and reports a problem and a service tech can be dispatched to correct the problem.  I called the governors office and talked with Valerie Hendrix, explained my problem and she sent me to Sarah Agee. Ms. Agee called the director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, David Maxwell, and I was assigned Danny Ormand to assist in making an application for this grant. He in turn has referred me back to Tina Owens.  I was able to make the deadline of the grant application, now I will have to wait up to six weeks to see if we will be funded.