Jonesboro neighborhoods to receive electrical upgrades

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) — Jonesboro City Water and Light was awarded a $2.96 million grant from the Department of Energy to significantly improve and upgrade electrical lines in downtown Jonesboro neighborhoods.

Slade Mitchell, energy marketing administrator with CWL, explained that the grant will target two main backbone lines that feed distribution lines to homes in the affected areas.

“It’s two backbone lines that run on that eastern edge and on the western edge. Those backbone lines feed all the distribution lines to distribute the single-phase lines that hit the neighborhoods and homes in between those two points,” said Mitchell.

The project will involve replacements and upgrades to the electrical system.

CWL plans to replace approximately 271 poles and main backbone type 3-phase lines. Additionally, transformers that are nearing the end of their useful life will be replaced, and new transformers will be added. The wiring in these areas will also be upgraded, in some cases switching from copper to the more robust aluminum.

Mitchell emphasized the positive impact of these upgrades on the community.

“It’s a really good upgrade. It should make those backbone lines far more robust and just help with resilience in that area of town,” he stated.

He added that the grant makes these crucial infrastructure improvements much more cost-effective for the city.

“This area of town, to be able to upgrade some aging infrastructure and do it really at a fraction of what we would normally have to do it for, is really a great thing for our customers,” he said.

CWL said it’s committed to continuing its efforts to secure more grants for future infrastructure projects. While a start date and timeline for these specific upgrades are not yet available, as the project still needs to be bid out, CWL will begin as soon as possible.

To report a typo or correction, please click here.

Copyright 2025 KAIT. All rights reserved.