DRA Announces $1.5 Million Available for 2025 Strategic Planning Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 8, 2025

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Arlicia Jordan

601-660-1218

ajordan@dra.gov

DRA Announces $1.5 Million Available for 2025 Strategic Planning Program

Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has announced funding availability for the 2025 Strategic Planning Program, which provides economically distressed communities, persistent poverty communities, and isolated areas of distress in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions with the necessary resources to develop plans that address long-standing issues and guide economic growth. 

Approximately $1.5 million is now available to help communities identify and develop strategic plans that will address issues such as infrastructure, industry growth, workforce pipelines and small business development for communities within the DRA region. Awards will range from $25,000 to $150,000, with applications being accepted on a semiannual cycle. Funding for the program was made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden — a key part of his Investing in America agenda.

“The Strategic Planning Program gives public entities across DRA’s footprint the ability to alleviate prolonged issues and to develop a roadmap for economic growth and revitalization,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, Federal Co-Chairman. “With $1.5 million in available funding, DRA can provide communities across our eight-state region with opportunities to strategically plan and access resources that will lead to more solution-based outcomes and greater economic resilience.”

In 2024, DRA invested approximately $2.4 million in 20 projects through the Strategic Planning Program.

For more information about funding availability for the Strategic Planning Program, visit www.dra.gov. For questions about the program, email strategy@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.