Jonesboro Secures $1 Million Grant to Plan Lost Creek Flood Improvements

JONESBORO, Ark. — Jonesboro has secured $1,036,550 in federal funding to develop engineering and design plans for flood mitigation improvements along approximately 4.27 miles of Lost Creek, the city announced.

The award comes through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program. The funding supports planning for the proposed improvements, with construction funding to be pursued in a future phase.

Proposed work includes widening the channel’s bottom, creating more gradual side slopes and adding a tiered bank shelf with a maintenance road that would also serve as a walking trail.

The city said floodplain restrictions have limited commercial development in north and west Jonesboro for decades. Although flooding concerns have been addressed at individual properties, remaining floodplain designations can make development or redevelopment financially unfeasible, according to the city.

“This is an important step toward addressing longstanding flooding challenges in our community,” Mayor Harold Copenhaver said. “Improving Lost Creek will help protect residents and property while creating opportunities for future growth and development in North and West Jonesboro.”

Copenhaver thanked U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford and U.S. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton for their support.

The city listed the approved project cost at $1,360,550, with the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management providing the required $324,000 nonfederal match. The federal share includes $64,550 in subrecipient management costs, which are fully federally funded.

The grant’s performance period runs from Jan. 3, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2028.

Jonesboro also received $1 million in federal funding in fiscal 2025 to support property acquisition for stormwater retention and future improvements, according to the city.

“This grant works together with previous infrastructure successes and positions Jonesboro to successfully pursue future construction phases,” Crawford said.

Chief Operations Officer Tony Thomas said the plans would position Jonesboro to pursue federal construction funding through opportunities such as the Water Resources Development Act.

“Addressing flooding is expensive, but necessary as we continue to see increased demand for housing and recreation,” Thomas said.