WASHINGTON Fort Smith and Pine Bluff have each received $1.2 million grants from the Economic Development Administration for infrastructure improvements that are projected to create 89 jobs.

The Fort Smith grant will be used for road and sidewalk improvements as well as construction of a parking lot for the planned Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Fort Smith expects the project will add 65 year-round jobs and generate a donation of land worth $4 million, according to EDA.

With an opening target date of fall 2016, the proposed school is expected to serve about 600 students when fully operational.

Pine Bluff will use its $1.2 million grant to upgrade about 40 miles of rail line that would be available to local businesses and manufacturers as an alternative mode of transportation during natural disasters. The rail improvements are also part of a broader effort to restore and improve rail service in southeast Arkansas and northeast Louisiana to attract new industry to the area. About 24 jobs are expected from the improvements, according to EDA.

Leveraging federal dollars with local investment in the 3rd District is essential to ongoing projects that will secure our future and strengthen our community, Rep. Steve Womack stated in a news release. I applaud this announcement, which ensures the infrastructure in Fort Smith is ready to support the new Arkansas Osteopathic Medical School, addressing a shortage of physicians in our state, and supports the efforts of the World Trade Center at the University of Arkansas to diversify our states economy so it isnt as vulnerable to the negative impact of natural disasters.

The grants were revealed as part of a broader release of funding for Arkansas and six other states. In all, Arkansas received $9 million in grants to upgrade critical infrastructure and support resiliency efforts in the state that in recent years has suffered tornadoes, flooding and severe storms.

The grants would enable communities across Arkansas to be more economically resilient in the wake of future natural disasters and other challenges, said U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.

The grants are projected to create more than 1,100 jobs, retain 20 existing jobs and generate more than $2 million in private investments, according to EDA.

Other Arkansas grants include:

$1.1 million to construct a commercial hangar at the Stuttgart Municipal Airport.

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Fort Smith Lands Economic Grant For Medical School