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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2023
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jessica Shappley
662-683-8670
jshappley@dra.gov
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $17.9 Million Investment into Lower Mississippi Delta and Alabama Black Belt Regions
Delta Regional Authority’s investment will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and support business development and job training in communities across its eight-state service area.
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Clarksdale, MS – Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is awarding over $17.9 million in investments to 46 projects across Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). 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 create more resilient and healthier communities across the country.
The 46 new investment projects will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and support business development and job training in communities across DRA’s eight-state region. These projects are projected to create or retain nearly 1,100 jobs, train nearly 2,600 individuals, and affect nearly 6,000 families.
“The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program is one of DRA’s most diverse tools that allows us to expand and invest in the resiliency of the region’s public infrastructure and workforce,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman, Dr. Corey Wiggins. “As a result of this investment, nearly 6,000 families will have improved access to infrastructure, helping to improve their quality of life and increase economic opportunities in their communities.”
As one of DRA’s main investment tools, SEDAP provides direct investments for basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and workforce development. DRA coordinates directly with each of the state’s governors and the state’s Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.
The following projects received SEDAP funding:
Alabama
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The Cultural and Communal Living Cynosure project in Selma, Alabama, has been awarded $200,000 to increase the success and well-being of residents in distressed communities.
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The Jackson Pellets Industrial Access Road project in Jackson, Alabama, has been awarded more than $357,000 to construct a 3,100-foot industrial access road to the Jackson Pellets facility.
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The Selma Tourism Incubator project in Selma, Alabama, has been awarded $509,000 to develop an Innovative Tourism Hub in Selma’s historic downtown.
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The Town of Hurtsboro Storm Water Collection System Improvement project in Hurtsboro, Alabama, has been awarded more than $387,000 to repair a storm water collection system to reduce localized flooding.
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The Town of Butler Highway 17 South project in Butler, Alabama, has been awarded more than $189,000 to correct water main issues and install a fire hydrant on Alabama Highway 17 South.
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The Eufaula-Bluff City Water and Sewer project in Eufaula, Alabama has been awarded more than $43,000 for sewer, water, and stormwater improvements.
Arkansas
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The McGehee Hospital Drug Security and Ultrasound Replacement Equipment project in McGehee, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $464,000 to purchase equipment for McGehee Hospital’s nursing and emergency department.
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The Jobs 4 You Cabot project in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been awarded $509,000 to build a Jobs 4 You Vocational Training Center in Cabot, Arkansas.
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The Arkansas State University – Newport (ASUN) Healthcare Workforce Training Center project in Newport, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $221,000 to construct a state-of-the-art Nursing and Allied Health Professions simulation workforce training center on ASUN’s campus.
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The Workforce Training Expansion – Welding Space Reconfiguration and Renovation project in Pocahontas, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $507,000 to renovate Black River Technical College’s welding space on its Pocahontas campus.
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The White River Medical Center Oncology Campaign project in Batesville, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $256,000 to expand and remodel the 5,600-square-foot White River Hospital’s oncology center.
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The Skills to Launch Program project in Paragould, Arkansas, has been awarded more than $394,000 for the 10-week scholarship-based hands-on program designed to provide technical skills and soft skills training for Greene County’s labor force.
Illinois
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The Tiger Wellness Center project in Herrin, Illinois, has been awarded more than $322,000 to open a 1,500-square-foot comprehensive healthcare center for students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the Herrin Community Unit School District.
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The Hardin County General Hospital EKG and Bone Density Scan project in Rosiclare, Illinois, has been awarded more than $94,000 to purchase a MUSE NX telehealth system and EKG software to enhance services in Hardin County General Hospital’s cardio-pulmonary and radiological departments.
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The SISCO Roof project in Mounds, Illinois, has been awarded more than $185,000 to repair the Port of Cairo’s building roof.
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The Enterprise Avenue Reconstruction project in Murphysboro, Illinois, has been awarded more than $271,000 for the reconstruction of Enterprise Avenue.
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The Expansion of Truck Driver Training Program in Pinckneyville project in Ina, Illinois, has been awarded more than $185,000 to expand the truck driver training program, including CDL Class A and CDL Class B training.
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The Sesser North Street Watermain Replacement project in Sesser, Illinois, has been awarded more than $199,000 to replace a cast iron watermain.
Kentucky
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The Paducah Riverport Revitalization project in Paducah, Kentucky, has been awarded more than $418,000 to revitalize a storage facility for customers of the Paducah-McCraken County Riverport Authority.
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The Webster County Workforce Training Equipment project in Dixon, Kentucky, has been awarded more than $326,000 to purchase workforce training equipment for students in manufacturing, healthcare, industrial, and computer-aided design career tracks.
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The Muhlenberg County Airport Hangar Expansion project in Greenville, Kentucky, has been awarded more than $759,000 as part of a multi-phase airport expansion that will support the Madisonville Community College Fixed Wing Aviation Program.
Louisiana
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The NOVA Rural Workforce Development Program project in Monroe, Louisiana, has been awarded $105,000 to provide job training and employment-related education in public education institutions in Northeast Louisiana.
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The Ochsner LSU New Helipad Construction project in Shreveport, Louisiana, has been awarded more than $355,000 to build a helipad adjacent to the hospital’s emergency room.
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The Leonville Wastewater Treatment Plan Improvements project in Leonville, Louisiana, has been awarded $500,000 for various improvements to the town’s wastewater treatment facility.
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The Town of Jonesboro Water Treatment Improvements project in Jonesboro, Louisiana, has been awarded more than $573,000 to provide a water well and treatment plant for the Town of Jonesboro.
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The Madison Port Railcar Company Building Improvements project in Tallulah, Louisiana, has been awarded more than $487,000 for various improvements to the Madison Port Building.
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The Economic Development Street Improvements – Gin Road Rehabilitation project in Rayville, Louisiana, has been awarded more than $356,000 to overlay a portion of Gin Road.
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The Town of Sunset – Wastewater Treatment Facility Rehabilitation project in Sunset, Louisiana, has been awarded $500,000 to rehabilitate the Town of Sunset’s current wastewater treatment plant.
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The Village of Grayson Painting of Elevated Tank project in Grayson, Louisiana, has been awarded more than $237,000 to repair and paint a 50,000-gallon elevated water storage tank.
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The Earn and Learn to Advance Care: In-Hospital Pharmacy Tech Training project in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been awarded more than $222,000 to expand the Adult Rapid Reskill Program, which provides an accelerated certification and employment program within the healthcare industry.
Mississippi
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The Water Well Rehab and Altitude Valve Replacement project in Port Gibson, Mississippi, has been awarded more than $97,000 to restore Port Gibson’s water well and replace an altitude valve on a water pump.
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The Silver Street Retaining Wall Stabilization project in Natchez, Mississippi, has been awarded more than $380,000 to repair a brick retaining wall.
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The Water Valley Industrial Park Access Road project in Water Valley, Mississippi, has been awarded more than $332,000 for a new entrance to Water Valley’s industrial park.
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The Water Well Construction project in Heidelberg, Mississippi, has been awarded more than $243,000 to construct a new water well for the Town of Heidelberg.
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The City of Itta Bena’s Sewer System Improvements project in Itta Bena, Mississippi, has been awarded $500,000 for various improvements to the City of Itta Bena’s sewer system.
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The Hankins Lumber Company Turning Lane project in Grenada, Mississippi, has been awarded $500,000 for various infrastructure improvements to accommodate improved access to Hankins Lumber Company.
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The Sunflower-Greenwood Medical Complex project in Ruleville, Mississippi, has been awarded $500,000 for the remodeling and construction of an existing building into a medical complex, including a pharmacy, rural health clinic, durable medical equipment, and hospice.
Missouri
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The Bootheel Technical Training Center project in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, has been awarded more than $683,000 to offer training for construction, linemen, and advanced manufacturing.
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The Street Improvements to Assist Local Businesses project in Irondale, Missouri, has been awarded more than $208,000 to upgrade its local transportation network.
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The City of Thayer, Water and Sewer Extensions for 63/19 project in Thayer, Missouri, has been awarded $500,000 for an extension of municipal water and sewer infrastructure to facilitate the development of a travel center.
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The Ellsinore Fire Station Facility project in Ellsinore, Missouri, has been awarded more than $274,000 to construct a new firehouse for the Ellsinore Rural Fire Protection District.
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The JAG-Missouri, Inc. project in Lockwood, Missouri, has been awarded more than $256,000 to expand the JAG program for students in 16 school districts.
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The Caruthersville Project Exit Strategy project in Caruthersville, Missouri, has been awarded more than $297,000 to build an exit road from a grain elevator for transport trucks.
Tennessee
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The Monogram Refrigeration Facility Expansion project in Selmer, Tennessee, has been awarded more than $2.2 million to add 140,00 square feet to its existing facility.
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The City of Parsons Commercial Roof Replacement project in Parsons, Tennessee, has been awarded more than $560,000 for the removal and replacement of a 27,000-square-foot roof.
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The Market – Farmers Market and Food Entrepreneurship Center project in Dyersburg, Tennessee, has been awarded more than $216,000 to renovate the Main Street Dyersburg Farmers Market to better serve a food desert and provide training to food-related entrepreneurs.
Additional information about SEDAP is available at States’ Economic Development Assistance Program – 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.
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