Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $2.7 Million Investment into West Tennessee Communities

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 12, 2023

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jessica Shappley

662-683-8670

jshappley@dra.gov

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $2.7 Million Investment into Western Tennessee Communities

Delta Regional Authority’s investment will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and support business development and job training in communities in Western Tennessee.

Clarksdale, MS – Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is awarding over $2.7 million in investments to two projects across Western Tennessee through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). Funding for this program was made available, in part, by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden, a key part of his Investing in America agenda to grow local economies from the middle out and bottom up and create more resilient and healthier communities across the country.

The two new investment projects will improve basic public infrastructure and support business development and job training in communities across West Tennessee. These projects are projected to create or retain nearly 200 jobs.

“The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program is one of DRA’s most diverse tools that allow us to expand and invest in the resiliency of the region’s public infrastructure and workforce,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman, Dr. Corey Wiggins. “As a result of this investment, residents across these two communities will have improved access to infrastructure and workforce development opportunities, helping to improve their quality of life and increase economic prosperity in their communities.”

As one of DRA’s main investment tools, SEDAP provides direct investments for basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and workforce development. DRA coordinates directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Tennessee and the state’s Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.

The following projects received SEDAP funding in Tennessee:

• The Monogram Refrigeration Facility Expansion project in Selmer, Tennessee, has been awarded more than $2.2 million to add 140,00 square feet to its existing facility.

• The City of Parsons Commercial Roof Replacement project in Parsons, Tennessee, has been awarded more than $560,000 for the removal and replacement of a 27,000-square-foot roof.

Additional information about SEDAP is available at States’ Economic Development Assistance Program – Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov).

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About the Delta Regional Authority

The DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint federal-state collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA’s region encompasses 252 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.