UACES Facebook U of A System Division of Agriculture, Clinton School team to release rural infrastructure survey results, recommendations April 21
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April 14, 2020

U of A System Division of Agriculture, Clinton School team to release rural infrastructure survey results, recommendations April 21

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Fast facts

  • Extension Service, Clinton School students conclude 20-county rural infrastructure study
  • Findings to be reported in free April 21 webinar
  • Recommendations to focus on solid waste, drinking water, wastewater, recycling systems 

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LITTLE ROCK — The recommendations from a study of Arkansas’ rural infrastructure conducted by students from the Clinton School and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service will be released April 21, through a free webinar. 

The loss of businesses and declining populations in rural areas make it difficult for many towns and counties to finance much-needed infrastructure investments. Through surveys and interviews with local officials, the students sought to determine and prioritize rural infrastructure challenges across the state while compiling appropriate ways to respond to these challenges. 

In January, the team sent an online survey to mayors, quorum court members, and county judges in 20 Arkansas counties, seeking their input on infrastructure needs and challenges. The 20 counties were Boone, Calhoun, Clark, Cleveland, Crittenden, Dallas, Hot Spring, Independence, Johnson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Monroe, Newton, Nevada, Prairie, Searcy, Sevier, Union, Van Buren, and Woodruff. 

Team members include Marlie Ball of Gravette, Drew Coker of Russellville, Brock Hyland of Waco, Texas and J. Dillon Pitts of Pearl, Mississippi. The students worked closely with project supervisor Julianne Dunn, an economic development instructor for the Division of Agriculture’s Community, Professional, and Economic Development unit. Dunn is also a 2010 Clinton School graduate. 

“Rural infrastructure impacts citizens’ lives every day, from the roads they drive on to the water they drink,” Dunn said. “The purpose of this research study was to improve quality of life and foster economic and community development in rural Arkansas by identifying specific infrastructure challenges and recommending evidence-based responses for local and county governments to undertake.” 

Local officials who completed the survey and agreed to be interviewed then discussed in greater detail the infrastructure needs in their areas. The Clinton School students also interviewed officials from the Cooperative Extension Service offices in the surveyed counties. 

“Getting input from local officials was great,” Coker said. “They offered unique perspectives and a technical understanding of what was happening. They were extremely knowledgeable of the specific problems and fixes that were needed. Many of them had already thought about different funding mechanisms.” 

Based on findings from the surveys and interviews, the team researched national practices for rural infrastructure maintenance and development. The team will focus on recommendations for solid waste, drinking water, wastewater and recycling systems, and will offer suggestions for different funding mechanisms. 

“We have looked at a number of different national programs and organizations,” Coker said. “One is the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, which is a group of economists that work on community economics and rural development. We have also looked at programs in surrounding states, as well as utilized the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development mission area resources and past Extension publications.” 

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension.

 

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Media contact:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu 

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