Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in collaboration with the state of Missouri, recently invested $2.8 million toward seven projects in Missouri 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 Missouri, seven projects were selected for SEDAP funding at an investment upwards of $2.8 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, 100 jobs will be created or retained, 120 people trained, and nearly 4,000 families impacted across six 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 Missouri and the state’s Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.
SEDAP award recipients in the state of Missouri include:
City of Leadwood was awarded more than $250,000 for a citywide water system improvement project that will allow for modernized upgrades to an aging water system and provide for clean and safe water supply for residents.
Carter County was awarded nearly $490,000 for a road improvement project that will repair and pave a gravel portion of County Road 330 to improve infrastructure and vehicular safety for employees using the road to access their place of work.
Washington County was awarded $206,000 to replace two frequently flooded, deteriorated and undersized low-water crossings to reduce flooding, eliminate a safety hazard, and improve travel along a county road that connects residents and visitors to a state highway.
Sikeston Career and Technology Center was awarded nearly $300,000 to repair and remodel a dedicated space that will allow the center to expand its program offerings, providing high-quality, in-demand training and education to students to bolster the region’s workforce development and economic growth.
City of Dexter was awarded nearly $300,000 to support the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant, which aims to enhance wastewater treatment capacity, ensure regulatory compliance and support sustainable community growth. City of Dexter was also awarded more than $1 million for infrastructure improvements that will ultimately enhance drainage resilience, address sewer system challenges and facilitate further development in the area.
JAG-Missouri, Inc. was awarded more than $256,000 to support student participants of a workforce development program, equipping them with the skills needed to enhance the local workforce and the overall economic growth and stability of the region.
For more information about SEDAP, visit www.dra.gov.
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