Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in collaboration with the state of Mississippi, recently invested more than $3.6 million toward nine projects in Mississippi 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 Mississippi, nine projects were selected for SEDAP funding at an investment of more than $3.6 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, 200 people will be trained and more than 2,000 families across eight communities will have improved access to infrastructure and workforce development opportunities, helping to improve their quality of life and increase economic prosperity in their communities.”
For these projects, DRA coordinated directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Mississippi and the state’s Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.
SEDAP award recipients in the state of Mississippi include:
City of Cleveland was awarded $408,000 for a drainage improvement project at the Cleveland Municipal Airport to alleviate flooding issues and to allow for future industrial development.
MAGCOR Industries was awarded more than $450,000 for a workforce development project that will provide simulated training in high-demand fields – commercial driving, heavy equipment operation and welding – to incarcerated individuals in the state’s six regional correctional facilities to equip them with the skills essential for securing employment and reintegrating into society.
Carroll County was awarded $500,000 to rehabilitate a county road providing access to a major employer in the county, in addition to nearly $340,000 to rehabilitate two access roads near the North Carrollton Industrial Park to provide for more safer and reliable transportation infrastructure for the citizens and businesses of the county.
Town of Mize was awarded nearly $282,000 to complete the necessary improvements to its sewer lagoon project and to meet compliance with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to provide residents with a better quality of life and sanitary environment.
Town of Montrose was awarded nearly $344,000 for a water system improvement project that will provide adequate water pressure and service to its citizens.
City of McComb was awarded more than $607,000 to reconstruct a high-traffic intersection that has developed significant base failures due to heavy-truck traffic related to nearby industries. Reconstruction of the intersection will improve transportation and provide a safer experience for residents and businesses within that area.
Town of Polkville was awarded nearly $240,000 to complete the final phase of its waterline replacement project, which replaces asbestos cement water lines, resulting in an improved and safer water distribution system for the community.
Town of Tunica was awarded $509,000 for a water system repair project to update the town’s infrastructure by replacing outdated water lines with new pipes to provide residents with a sustainable water system.
For more information about SEDAP, visit www.dra.gov.
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