GENTRY — A proposed new nature area with a fishing pond on city-owned property along Flint Creek was put on hold when word was received the city would not receive the Wildlife Recreation Facilities Grant it applied for earlier in the year.
Though the city did not receive the money - just under $100,000 - it requested in the 2011 grant cycle, it was encouraged to reapply in the next cycle, with the application period beginning on Aug. 1 and ending Nov. 4, according to Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Bev Saunders.
According to the letter received from Butch Calhoun, director of Arkansas Department of Rural Services, the city only need submit a new letter to accompany the existing grant application, along with a certification letter and resolution of the council to reapply.
The reason the grant application was not funded in the current grant cycle was because there were more than 30 applications received for more than $2.3 million, with only $500,000 available in the cycle, Calhoun said in his letter.
The letter also stated that the city’s application “was favorably received.”
While no action was taken on the matter at the July 11 council meeting, the city will likely reapply, keeping the hope of a new nature area alive.
News, Pages 1 on 07/13/2011