The Department of Rural Services (DRS) (formerly Office of Rural Advocacy) and the Arkansas Rural Development Commission (ARDC) were created by the Arkansas General Assembly through Act 302 of 1991, the "Arkansas Rural Development Program Act" and began operations in 1992.

DRS provides grants to Arkansas communities under 3,000 in population. The director and staff serve as a single point of contact for any person or group interested in issues affecting rural Arkansas. Our agency is customer oriented and user friendly.

The Arkansas Rural Development Commission (ARDC) sets policy and long-term goals for the Department of Rural Services and decides which communities will receive grant funds.

The ARDC is made up of eleven regular voting members representing rural areas of the state. All commissioners are private citizens. Seven are appointed by the Governor from each of Arkansas' four congressional districts to serve five year terms. Two of the commissioners are appointed for two years by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the other two are appointed for two years by the Speaker of the House.

The Arkansas Rural Development Commission focuses on:

• Rural Fire Protection
• Agriculture and the Environment
• Community Facilities
• Economic Development
• Education and Community Life
• Land Use and Natural Resources
• Local Government and Management

In addition to these and other efforts, DRS is responsible for:

• Administering the Rural Community Development Grant Program, Rural Community Fire Protection Grant Program, Rural Block Grant Program; and the County Fair Building Grant Program; see DRS Grants Page
• Working with citizens and legislators on issues affecting rural areas
• Teaching Arkansas' rural citizens about available funding programs
• Speaking at local meetings, regional forums, and statewide conferences on rural topics
• Helping communities plan grant projects and proposals
• Staffing and supporting the rural policy goals of the ARDC

The mission of DRS and the ARDC is to enhance rural quality of life for rural Arkansans without sacrificing individual freedoms or responsibilities.