Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – The Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission Wednesday awarded $731,900 in grants to various organizations hosting events and activities next year. $133,900 was set aside for the commission’s administrative expenses. A total of $981,511 had been requested.
Commission Chairman Jerry Morgan told commissioners 2025 revenue from the city’s 4% hotel tax was down 4.2% through October. Morgan said two hotel operators who were behind in making their tax payments had done so during November meaning the November hotel tax revenue should be around $50,000 above projections. He said that will bring the year-to-date number up.
Morgan said revenue from 3% of the 4% hotel tax is used to fund requests from organizations and events. The remaining 1% is used for various projects with the City of Jonesboro.
Revenue from the city’s tax on prepared food is up 4.9% year to date. The proceeds from the prepared food tax are committed to the construction of the new sports complex which is currently under construction on Race Street. The project is estimated to cost $74.5 million and is expected to open in first quarter, 2027.
A breakdown of the organizations and the amounts awarded funds for 2026 include:
- Delta Symphony Orchestra: $20,000
- Foundation of Arts: $75,000
- Downtown Jonesboro Alliance: $25,000 awarded for events and promotion, $12,000 awarded for JoyFest
- Hispanic Community Services: $12,000
- Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Fest: $125,000
- Arkansas State Red Wolves Association: $50,000
- ASU Club Softball: $10,000
- Disc Side of Heaven: $30,000
- Jets Aquatic Club: $30,000
- Jonesboro University Heights Lions Club: $1,500
- MLK Day Parade Committee: $500
- NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation: $7,500
- St. Bernards Development Foundation: $5,000
- United Way: $5,000
- Friends of the Library: $5,000
- Jonesboro Business Association: $5,000
- Jonesboro Firefighters Local 3718: $1,500
- Arkansas State University Historic Dyess Colony and Johnny Cash Boyhood Home: $15,000
- Northside Jonesboro Reunion: $500
- Red Wolf Renaissance Fair: $5,000
- The Stage Theater Co.: $2,500
- Ag for Autism: $10,000
- JHS Host State Track Meet: $5,000
- Shark Wave Aquatic Team: $25,000
- Various convention requests: $15,000
- Concert promotion/requests: $20,000
- Jonesboro Gravel and Cycle: $50,000
- NICA Mountain Biking 2026 event: $15,000
- Graveler in Jonesboro in 2026: $15,000
The Ag for Autism, JHS Host State Track Meet and Shark Wave Aquatic Team awards were new requests. Other organizations and events had previously received funds from the commission.
No money was allocated for the City Stars program at Wednesday’s meeting. Morgan told commissioners the request had been “removed from considering due to the ongoing investigation,” an apparent reference to a U.S. Justice Department investigation of parks and recreation director Danny Kapales which was announced by city officials earlier this week. Commissioners set aside $30,000 and agreed to revisit the City Stars request at the commission’s January or February meeting.
The $133,900 in administrative costs include a proposed 4% cost of living increase for A&P commission executive director Craig Rickert. Morgan said Rickert had been with the commission for two years without a compensation increase.
