AR SB445

Appropriates $8,000,000 from the General Improvement Fund to eight regional economic development districts in Arkansas, with $1,000,000 allocated to each district.

Designated recipients include the Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Western, West Central, and Central Arkansas Economic Development Districts.

Grants may be supplemented with federal funds, donations, and unobligated cash income from recipient institutions, but existing agency maintenance and operations funds cannot be diverted for these purposes.

Allows new rules and regulations to be adopted for the appropriation without restrictions from other program requirements.

Takes effect July 1, 2015 with an emergency clause declaring the appropriation essential to agency operations.