This EDA investment supports the city of batesville with constructing roads and related water and sewer infrastructure to serve their current industrial park

The City of Batesville, Arkansas was awarded a $2.63 million project grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program to construct roads and improve water and sewer infrastructure serving its industrial park. Facing job losses from the closure of a major coal plant in Independence County, the project aims to alleviate economic effects by building three new roads to enhance access and connectivity in the industrial park. Once completed, the infrastructure improvements will support demand for industrial space, help retain existing jobs, and attract private investment to an area impacted by coal industry decline. With a completion date of July 2027, the funding will allow the city to deliver critical public works supporting economic development and diversification in its community.

A coal-centered community for decades, the city is a regional hub for industry in and around independence county, arkansas. With closure of a major coal plant located in the county, the city anticipates the loss of jobs and impact on the community will be substantial. To alleviate these effects, the project will include the construction of three new roads to improve access and connection to the industrial park. Once completed, the project will help the city meet the growing demand for growing industrial space in the area. Additionally, the project would improve water and sewer lines to better serve the park, which will help support job retention, create new opportunities, and attract private investment to an area that has been impacted by the decline in the coal industry.