Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in collaboration with the state of Arkansas, recently invested more than $5.5 million toward 12 projects in Arkansas 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 Arkansas, 12 projects were selected for SEDAP funding at an investment upwards of $5.5 million.
“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 300 jobs will be created or retained, nearly 700 people trained, and more than 2,600 families impacted across 12 communities, improving residents’ 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 Arkansas and the state’s Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.
SEDAP award recipients in the state of Arkansas include:
City of Peach Orchard was awarded approximately $508,000 to make improvements to its aging water distribution system to reduce water loss, lower operating costs and protect the long-term viability of the community’s essential water infrastructure.
White River Health System Inc. was awarded $509,000 for phase one of its oncology center expansion project, which will provide for a larger, modernized facility that will improve access to life-saving cancer treatments, create job opportunities, and reduce out-migration of staff and community residents.
WSBZ Farms was awarded $450,000 to launch a rural agriculture supply-chain and workforce accelerator that will connect small growers to schools, food banks, retailers and restaurants, improving overall healthy food access for families in Pulaski, Lonoke, Jefferson and Grant counties.
Save the Children Federation Inc. was awarded nearly $349,000 for a career and education workforce development project that will increase workforce participation and qualifications in the early childhood education (ECE) industry in 16 Arkansas counties, meeting the demand for skilled ECE workers and helping to create a talented rural ECE workforce that is equipped to support children’s development and education.
University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College was awarded more than $370,000 to revitalize its construction program and to advance its diesel technology program with the use of new technology and equipment to expand training capacity, increase employment opportunities and strengthen local industry partnerships.
Wynne Economic Development Corporation was awarded $509,000 for phase two of the Mueller Streamline Co. expansion project, in Wynne, Arkansas, supplying equipment that will help enhance the company’s distribution and packaging operations, improve efficiency, and strengthen supply chain resilience.
City of Brookland was awarded more than $504,000 to complete critical wastewater treatment facility improvements that will ensure compliance with regulatory standards and accommodate the city’s rapid growth.
Economic Development Corporation of Paragould was awarded $509,000 to assist with a rail spur extension project at South Industrial Park that will connect to local industry and create additional job opportunities.
St. Bernards Development Foundation was awarded $307,000 for a registered nurse apprenticeship program that will address the critical nursing shortage in Northeast Arkansas, creating a sustainable pipeline of skilled nurses while expanding health care access to residents in underserved communities.
City of Caraway was awarded nearly $506,000 to make infrastructure improvements to its water treatment plant to provide clean, safe drinking water to residents.
City of Parkin was awarded $509,000 for the replacement of an inoperable wastewater lift station, improving the reliability and efficiency of the city’s wastewater system while protecting public health.
Arkansas Rural Health Partnership was awarded $509,000 to purchase a state-of-the-art mobile training unit and simulation equipment to increase the availability of emergency medical service (EMS) training and EMS personnel across the rural Arkansas Delta.
For more information about SEDAP, visit www.dra.gov.
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