Clarksdale, MS – Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is awarding over $2.3 million in investments to six projects in Arkansas 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 six new investment projects will improve basic public infrastructure and support business development and job training in communities across Arkansas. These projects are projected to create or retain nearly 90 jobs and train nearly 800 individuals.
“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 six 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 Arkansas and the state’s Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.
The following projects received SEDAP funding in Arkansas:
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The McGehee Hospital Drug Security and Ultrasound Replacement Equipment project in McGehee, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $464,000 to purchase equipment for McGehee Hospital’s nursing and emergency department.
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The Jobs 4 You Cabot project in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been awarded $509,000 to build a Jobs 4 You Vocational Training Center in Cabot, Arkansas.
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The Arkansas State University – Newport (ASUN) Healthcare Workforce Training Center project in Newport, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $221,000 to construct a state-of-the-art Nursing and Allied Health Professions simulation workforce training center on ASUN’s campus.
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The Workforce Training Expansion – Welding Space Reconfiguration and Renovation project in Pocahontas, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $507,000 to renovate Black River Technical College’s welding space on its Pocahontas campus.
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The White River Medical Center Oncology Campaign project in Batesville, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $256,000 to expand and remodel the 5,600-square-foot White River Hospital’s oncology center.
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The Skills to Launch Program project in Paragould, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $394,000 for the 10-week scholarship-based hands-on program designed to provide technical skills and soft skills training for Greene County’s labor force.
Additional information about SEDAP is available at States’ Economic Development Assistance Program – Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov).
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