Before the Nevada County Quorum Court convened Tuesday evening, citizens and county officials gathered for a public hearing hosted by Nevada County Economic Development Office Director Mary Godwin to discuss potential uses for a grant program that could bring as much as $300,000 into the county.

The hearing was held to gather public input on whether Nevada County should apply for funding through the Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program, a federal assistance program administered through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. As attendees quickly learned, the grant comes with limitations.

Opening the meeting, Godwin emphasized that any project submitted must fit within one of three categories: benefiting low-to-moderate income families, preventing slum and blight, or addressing "community needs which pose a serious immediate threat to the health and welfare of the county."

County Clerk Tammie Rose explained that the funds "can be used for community facilities, public infrastructure, or economic development," but only if the proposed project meets one of those federal objectives.

Later in the discussion, Godwin said the county could apply for "up to 300,000" dollars through the program.

She also reminded attendees that the money would not be available for every idea suggested during the meeting.

Asked whether the money would have to be repaid, Godwin replied, "No, that's correct. But now just keep in mind, just because we apply does not mean the county will necessarily receive the funding.”

The first proposal came from Nevada County Justice of the Peace Willie Wilson, who suggested using grant funds to repaint Bluff City's elevated water storage tank.

Wilson said the water tower needs painting both inside and outside to prevent corrosion and comply with state requirements. "I propose that that the community apply for community grant to paint the Bluff City water tower," Wilson said.

County Judge Mike Otwell explained the necessity of that work. "If you don't do it, it's going to rust out," Otwell said. "You're going to lose everything."

Godwin said Bluff City officials were already working to obtain cost estimates for the project.

Wilson also questioned whether the grant could be used to improve rural health care access. Wilson suggested some type of community-based emergency treatment facility that could help residents facing strokes, heart attacks, or other medical emergencies in a county without a hospital.

"If both of them are out, you’ve got a major issue," Wilson said in reference to his understanding that ambulance availability in Nevada County is usually about two vans. "It's not like we’ve got a station here that someone could drive us right there to it."

Godwin said she was uncertain whether healthcare facilities would qualify under the grant's guidelines and planned to seek clarification. "I'm not sure if health care is going to fall" within the program's eligible uses, she said.

She also noted that Nevada County residents heavily depend upon the hospital in Hope.

"Thirty-three percent of the Hope hospital's business comes from Nevada County," Godwin said, citing information she had recently obtained.

Several residents suggested projects they believed could improve quality of life and encourage healthier lifestyles. Jo Ann Glass advocated for more organized activities for young people, particularly during the summer months. "Our future is with our kids and young people," Glass said. "We don't seem to have any kind of organized plans to do things with them."

She also expressed concern that local youth sports increasingly require travel and expenses that can be difficult for lower-income families.

Prescott High Principal and JP Tommy Poole suggested the community would benefit from a public exercise gym. "I think there's a big need for a workout facility," Poole said, noting that many residents currently travel outside Prescott to exercise.

Godwin responded that a possible downtown location might become available in the coming months and could potentially house such a facility if city leaders chose to pursue it.

Another topic that generated discussion involved emergency warning systems. Residents voiced concerns that many elderly residents in rural portions of the county do not own smartphones or have internet access and therefore may not receive emergency weather alerts through the county's Code Red notification system.

One resident suggested grant funding could potentially be used to install tornado warning sirens in areas such as Willisville, Falcon, Bodcaw and Ralston.

JP Patricia Grimes cautioned that any proposal involving sirens would also need to address ongoing maintenance costs. "If you're going to get the sirens, you also need to apply for a grant that will take care of the cost," Grimes said.

Godwin said she would research the issue further before bringing information back to county officials.

Affordable housing also emerged as a concern. One attendee suggested helping elderly homeowners improve energy efficiency through replacement windows and upgraded heating and cooling systems.

Godwin said affordable housing remains "a major issue in all of southwest Arkansas."

Justice of the Peace Dennis Pruitt suggested county leaders continue pursuing economic-development opportunities around the interstate and industrial park. "I think would help the county is if we get our industrial park reevaluated and make it into a commercial area," Pruitt said. He also suggested seeking grant opportunities that could help construct buildings for small businesses and expand the county's tax base.

"This goes beyond this one grant," Godwin said before concluding the meeting. "This gives the [members of the Nevada County Quorum Court] ideas on what this community needs to move forward."

Above photo: Nevada County Economic Development Office Director Mary Godwin (at right) leads the public meeting that occurred Tuesday evening prior to the Nevada County Quorum Court meeting.