Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $2.6 Million Investment Into Lower Mississippi Delta

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2024

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Arlicia Jordan

601-660-1218

ajordan@dra.gov

Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $2.6 Million Investment Into Lower Mississippi Delta and Alabama Black Belt Regions

Two communities in Kentucky and Louisiana receive funding through Community Infrastructure Fund to improve basic public infrastructure.

Clarksdale, MS – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is awarding more than $2.6 million in investments to two projects in Kentucky and Louisiana through its Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF). 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 to create more resilient and healthier communities across the country. 

The two new investment projects will improve basic public infrastructure in communities in DRA’s region in Kentucky and Louisiana. Together, these projects are estimated to affect nearly 1,900 families and businesses. 

“The Community Infrastructure Fund is one of DRA’s most unique tools that allows us to expand and invest in the resiliency of the region’s public infrastructure,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “As a result of this investment, almost 1,900 families will have improved access to infrastructure, helping to improve their quality of life and increase economic opportunities in their communities.” 

The purpose of the CIF program is to address unmet basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and flood control needs to help build safer, more resilient communities in the Delta region. 

Today’s CIF award recipients include: 

Kentucky

The City of Sturgis was awarded more than $2 million to rehabilitate its wastewater treatment plant to achieve compliance and to make improvements to its lift stations serving the wastewater treatment plant for better control and efficiency of the facility.

Louisiana

The Town of Sterlington was awarded more than $625,000 to rehabilitate its oxidation ponds to provide for an adequate and efficient sewer system.  

Applications for CIF are accepted on a rolling basis. Additional information about CIF is available at Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) – Delta Regional Authority (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.