Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in collaboration with the state of Illinois, recently invested $1.5 million toward three projects in Southern Illinois through its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) — one of DRA’s main investment tools.
A coordinated effort among DRA, its Board of Governors and Local Development Districts, SEDAP aims to improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development and job training in communities across DRA’s eight-state service region. This year in Illinois, three projects were selected for SEDAP funding at an investment upwards of $1.5 million. Funding for this program is 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 to create more resilient and healthier communities across the country.
“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 Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “As a result of this investment, more than 2,000 families across three 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.”
For these projects, DRA coordinated directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Illinois and the state’s Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.
“With $1.5 million flowing into our communities, we’re not just fixing infrastructure – we’re building a brighter future,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “From expanding job opportunities at the Southern Illinois Airport to ensuring clean water in Mill Shoals and Christopher, these projects touch the everyday lives of our residents. It’s exciting to see how this funding will help our local economies grow and make our communities even better places to live and work.”
SEDAP award recipients in the state of Illinois include:
City of Christopher was awarded $509,000 to rehabilitate its wastewater treatment plant and bring it into compliance with Environmental Protect Agency guidelines to improve the community’s infrastructure and provide residents with reliable sewer service.
Southern Illinois Airport Authority was awarded $483,750 for a hangar expansion project that will increase work volume, accommodate more routine maintenance and create space for new projects and jobs.
Village of Mill Shoals was awarded $509,000 to rehabilitate an existing standpipe tank to improve an aging water system and provide better quality of water to its customers.
For more information about SEDAP, visit www.dra.gov.
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