Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in collaboration with the state of Tennessee, recently invested more than $3.3 million toward four projects in Western Tennessee 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 Tennessee, four projects were selected for SEDAP funding at an investment of more than $3.3 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, over 230 jobs will be created or retained, 300 people trained, and nearly 10 businesses impacted across four communities, improving their quality of life and increasing economic prosperity in their communities.”
For these projects, DRA coordinated directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Tennessee and the state’s Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.
SEDAP award recipients in the state of Tennessee include:
City of Henderson was awarded more than $80,000 to complete a water system improvement project that will provide for an extension of the current water distribution system, ensuring commercial businesses have a reliable source of water and fire protection.
City of Lexington was awarded nearly $260,000 to support a road connection project that will lead to the future site of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and provide additional access to the Timberlake Industrial Park, ultimately bolstering industrial access, workforce education, expansion and job growth for Henderson County.
AgLaunch was awarded nearly $509,000 for an innovation and entrepreneurial initiative that aims to foster agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development across the DRA region, with a strong focus on Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. Through a multifaceted approach, the project will provide training, ongoing support and resources to ag entrepreneurs; facilitate the transition to alternative crops and food systems for farmers; and create job opportunities while addressing the specific needs of economically distressed counties.
Selmer/McNairy County Industrial Development Board was awarded more than $2.5 million for an infrastructure expansion project within the North Industrial Park to enhance industry development and job growth within the county.
For more information about SEDAP, visit www.dra.gov.
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